Earn ICF CCE Units Reading Books

Yes, you can earn ICF CCE units reading books.

Many coaches are surprised when I tell them that reading counts for Resource Development (RD) CCE units, and a coach may collect up to 16 RD CCE’s.

Most of my coach clients are already doing a lot of professional development reading (we coaches are avid life-long learners). They just need to keep track of that reading to earn CCE units!

If you are a coach, I bet you have got a boatload of coaching books to your credit already!

There are a few things to keep in mind when you are tracking your reading.

The ICF classifies reading as Self-Paced Study and allows you to count activities unrelated to the ICF Core Competencies that contribute to your personal or professional development as a coach.

There is some required documentation to keep in mind, though.

You must keep a record of the name of the book or article you read and the timeframe of when you did this reading. You will also need to record how many hours you spent reading the book, and a summary of the key information, your related activities and how they contributed to your development as a coach.

I know this seems like a lot, but I have found that this process of summarizing what I have learned and how I have used it anchors the learning for me.

Of course, I have made a tracking form for this!!

You are welcome to download and use my ICF Resource Development Tracking Form for your own tracking.

In fact, I’ve just added one of my recent reads to my tracking form.

It’s The Empath’s Survival Guide, by Judith Orloff. That title resonates, which is why I picked it up in the first place.

If you haven’t read it yet, it’s worth your time. And you can use it for CCE units too!

Here’s a quick synopsis of the points that stood out to me.

I’ll be honest, I’ve been told I am too sensitive. I’m sure that’s what drew me to this book in the first place. Never too late to learn something new.

I’ve also heard (depending on what I’m wrestling with at the time) that I care too much about other people. Imagine that!!

And, my all-time favourite, I wear my heart on my sleeve. Yeesh.

In my younger days, these observations came with words of advice.

You’d better toughen up if you want to make that general arts degree (insert a dramatic roll of the eyeballs) work in the real world of business.

Turns out I didn’t have to toughen up after all.

I have enjoyed a long and successful career in business. As is turns out, if you are sensitive, you are also compassionate.

If you care about other people, you also build strong relationships.

If you wear your heart on your sleeve, you are also authentic.

These are core leadership skills that have served me well over the years.

What about you? If you are a coach, you probably possess some of these core skills too.

According to author Orloff, these characteristics may mean that you are an Empath, and your gifts are needed more today than ever before.

Empaths and sensitive people are at the forefront of a new way of being for humankind.

Empaths have many marvellous traits. Huge hearts and the instinct to help others in need. Empaths are passionate, caring, creative, in touch with their emotions, and able to see the big picture. They have exceptional attunement to the natural world and a great capacity for spiritual awakening.

Hello Coach, I bet that’s you!

The word “empathy” is used often, but it is often too narrowly focused on emotional empathy. Did you know that there are many different types of empathy, including physical empaths, animal empaths, plant empaths, and psychic empaths? It’s estimated that at least 20% of the population are empaths (or highly sensitive people), which means 1 in 5 people on average!

You could be an empath and not even know it, or you could develop empathic sensitivities later in life even if you weren’t born with them.

There is a downside, though. Classic signs of a highly sensitive empathic individual are feeling overwhelmed by the suffering and confusion of the world, acute sensitivity to noise and crowds, prone to addiction and self-numbing, the ability to sense what others are thinking or feeling, or even to pre-sense the future.

Many empaths are drawn to the helping professions. Coaches are among them. Given the challenges that your coaching clients have faced over these last few years, you may find yourself drained using the very skills that make you an excellent coach.

You can learn more about how to use your skills in your work without draining yourself in Orloff’s book. Order yourself a copy of The Empath’s Survival Guide.

There is also an excellent online learning program if you want to dig deeper into this topic.

Watch a free webinar, Access Being an Empath Today – Surviving and Thriving with the gifts of sensitivity.

Yes, you can count both of these for Resource Development CCE!

Orloff’s self-paced learning program covers:

Protecting your sensitivities: Empaths today struggle with absorbing the stress and the suffering we see worldwide. Dr. Orloff will discuss how as empaths, we can ground ourselves, set boundaries, and hold space for others in a healthy way without getting drained.

The power of nature: Explore the special connection empaths share with nature as a source of replenishment.

Empaths as leaders: Because of our deep sensitivity and ability to lead from the heart as well as logic, empaths are poised to become tomorrow’s leaders sharing a new vision of our interconnectedness.

It’s great learning for coaches, and it may even be something your clients would enjoy!

Now that I’m back to work after a few weeks off, I can’t wait to start putting my new learning into action!

I’ve already added the details to my ICF Resource Development Tracking Form! Download your copy of the ICF Resource Development Tracking form here.

Oh, and if you are looking for Core Competency (CC) CCE units, you need 24 of these for your renewal.

You can get on the ball early.  Join the Coach Competency Collective program. Jump in on the first Tuesday of every month to learn and earn!