An Essential Part of the Credentialing Process…ICF Competencies

Learning the ICF Competencies is an essential part of the credentialing process in coaching, and it helps us grow and develop into better versions of ourselves as coaches.

But there are times when the learning process can be tiresome and dull. When that happens, we lose interest and motivation.

If that has happened to you, you are not alone.

I’ve recently been writing about the importance of learning and getting grounded in the ICF coach competencies. Last month, I shared some insights on making learning active.

Another big challenge to learning can be a feeling of monotony that sometimes interferes with the process. If boredom is creeping into your education, it may be time for some encouragement.

Here are some ideas to make your learning less tedious and get you energized again.

Find Your Spark

The first step to avoiding boredom while learning is identifying what energizes you. Whether you are seeking coaching credentials out of personal interest, meeting a career goal, or simply a desire to acquire new skills, having a precise spark that drives can help you stay focused and engaged when the going gets tough. Revisit your original motivation. Write it down and place it somewhere you can see it often as a reminder of why you are doing this work in the first place.

Make it Manageable

Parse your competency learning into smaller, more manageable activities or landmarks. Try focusing on one competency a week or even one a month if you would like to stretch it out. Create a timeline with small bonuses to reward yourself once completing each task. This will make a big difference when you are procrastinating or, worse yet, feeling overloaded.

Add Some Variety

If you are like most humans, you get bored doing the same things repeatedly. Mixing up your learning methods can help keep you from dozing off and losing interest. Instead of relying solely on reading the competencies frequently, try using different resources like online videos or interactive tools. Hundreds of coaches are using the Quizlet tool that I created, and they often reach out to let me know how much they love it!

Press Pause

Rest is just as important as activity when learning something new. Rest is critical to preventing burnout, and taking time out will help you maintain focus when you return to your studies. Take short breaks to do something you enjoy, like getting out in the fresh air, pumping up your favourite tunes, or taking your work to a different location and changing the scenery. If you want to delve deeper into what’s exhausting you (or your clients), you might find this Mindset Reset program helpful.

Don’t Go It Alone

Learning with like-minded people can make ease the monotony and increase engagement. Find a group or colleague to study with or take an online course with a friend. Coaches join my mentor groups for this reason. Collaborative learning can keep you motivated and accountable while allowing you to share ideas and ask questions.

Put Your Learning into Action

Integrating application into your knowledge-building will make learning more relevant and gratifying. Practice one or two competency behaviours regularly in your coaching sessions to build your skills in real-time situations.

Focus on the Bright Side

You must keep a positive attitude and focus on your growth. Sure, there is a lot to learn, but often remind yourself of what you have learned. Pitfalls are inevitable. See these challenges as chances to double down on your learning. Take pride in your wins and acknowledge your forward movement, no matter how tiny it may seem.

It’s not easy, but it is possible to take the boredom out of learning with the correct thinking and planning. By finding your spark, making learning manageable, adding some variety, pressing pause, not going it alone, putting your learning into action, and focusing on the bright side, you can ramp up your learning and even enjoy the process.

I’m focusing on developing tools that will help you learn the ICF competencies in new and creative ways if you are already using these tools, bravo!

To try a new approach, check out How to Learn the ICF Competencies – 32 Fun Activities to Get You Started. It’s a fully downloadable self-directed learning tool that will help you avoid boredom in learning.