We Choose the Level We Play At
In my newsletter a couple weeks back, I mentioned that I was reading my coach Ankush’s new book, Awakening the Coach Within
At that point I was only halfway through it … and loving it.
The second half blew my mind.
For me, it’s the best book I’ve read for coaches building a coaching business … whether you’re just starting out or highly experienced or anywhere in between.
It’s simply brilliant.
If you’re a coach … buy it. Read it. Then read it again. Here’s the link.
I finished it today and have found myself coming back again and again to a line in the final chapter.
Ankush had just agreed to renew with his coach, Steve Chandler. He’d sent the money and followed it with an email to Steve that included these words:
“Let’s play at a higher level. I know we’ve done great work, but I believe there’s more in the tank. I want to move towards world class … in my coaching, in my prosperity, and in how I show up to this relationship.”
Steve’s reply was simple:
“I’ll meet you at any level you choose to play at … and you can tell me what that means to you.”
In a moment it felt like those words had changed everything.
Ankush shared that, in that moment he realised something important. Steve wasn’t there to pull greatness out of him. He wasn’t there to coach him harder. Steve would show up and coach him powerfully. But what happened next, was on him. The outcomes in his life would be dependent on the level he chose to play at.
I’ve heard this story before. Ankush has shared it with me more than once, but today, it landed differently. It slowed me down.
For over five years now, I’ve been coached by a man who is undoubtedly one of the best coaches anywhere.
And yes, having an incredible coach makes a difference, but the outcomes will always be limited if I’m playing at a level that’s only a fraction of who I really am. 100% of what comes from those conversations is dependent on me. On how I show up … on the level I choose to play at.
It’s not about Ankush. It’s about me.
And if I’m honest, there are times I could play at a different level.
And what an opportunity that is. Every single time I sit down for a call. Not just an opportunity to be coached by a master, but an opportunity to show up more fully. To play at being more of me.
It got me thinking about the level I play at in my coaching. The level I play at in my life. For a moment, I imagined God saying to me at the end of my life:
“Every moment of every day … I met you at the level you chose to play at.” That landed.
This isn’t a story about judgment. It’s a story about possibility. I get one go at this life.
The chances of me being here are almost beyond comprehension. It’s a gift. Every moment is a gift.
And I get to choose how I show up in every single one of them.
In my marriage.
As a dad.
With my family.
With my friends.
In my health and fitness.
With my clients.
Even in how I’m writing this … right now. I don’t tend to half-ass things…well, not many things.
In my mind, I show up well to most of it. But as those words settled in me today, something shifted. The gift of life looked even more beautiful than it ever has. And what felt clearer than ever was this:
The quality of my life – what I experience and what I create – is directly linked to the level I choose to play at. Moment by moment, for however many moments I get.
So, what level am I playing at and what level do I really want to play at?
I’m away to play – to see what’s really possible!
Have a beautiful Easter.
Much love