#PersonalValues Archives - McGinty Coaching

Parenting in the Fast Lane

Posted on October 10, 2025 by Tina-Schuricht

Parenting in the Fast Lane. What does that mean and what does it have to do with coaching? Let me explain. Parenting is a journey I have been on for over a decade – both enjoying and contemplating how to do it better. One summer day, I was driving kids to their camps, and it got me thinking about the parallels between parenting and driving. Specifically driving on a busy highway—trying to keep up with traffic while still adhering to the speed limit. It’s a delicate balance between momentum and restraint, between external pressures and internal principles. Just like driving, parenting demands constant vigilance, quick decision-making, and the ability to adapt to changing conditions—all while staying true to your values.

Societal Pressures on Parenting

Have you been in the situation where you’ve been merging onto a freeway where everyone seems to be going 15 miles over the posted limit? If so, you may feel the pressure to accelerate, to match the pace, or else you become a hazard or get left behind. In parenting, this is similar to the societal race of milestones: early reading, competitive sports, advanced placement classes, curated social media profiles. The pressure to keep up with other families—whether it’s the neighbor’s child who speaks three languages or the Instagram-perfect birthday party—can be overwhelming. You don’t want your child to fall behind, but you also don’t want to lose control.

Interpreting Your Values in Context

The speed limit, in this metaphor, represents your core parenting values. It’s the boundary you set based on what you believe is safe, healthy, and right for your child. Maybe you value unstructured play over scheduled activities, or emotional intelligence over academic accolades. Sticking to the speed limit means honoring those values, even when the world around you seems to be speeding ahead. It’s resisting the urge to over-schedule, over-discipline, or over-achieve in the name of keeping up.

But here’s the catch: driving too slowly can be just as dangerous as speeding. In parenting, this translates to being too rigid, too disconnected from the realities your child faces. If you ignore the pace of the world entirely, your child might struggle to integrate socially or feel unprepared for life’s demands. So, you adjust—not by abandoning your values, but by interpreting them in context. You might allow more screen time during a tough school week or support a competitive pursuit if it aligns with your child’s passion.

The Importance of Flexibility

Parenting, like driving, is full of unpredictable moments: sudden stops, detours, road rage, and breakdowns. You learn to anticipate, to read the signs, to know when to accelerate and when to ease off. You teach your child to navigate their own road, not by racing ahead, but by understanding the rules, respecting others, and trusting their own judgment.

Steering with Intention

Ultimately, parenting in the fast lane reminds us that parenting isn’t about winning a race—it’s about arriving safely, together. It’s about being present in the journey, not just focused on the destination. You may not always match the speed of traffic, but if you stay aware, stay grounded, and stay connected to your child, you’ll find your rhythm. And in that rhythm, there’s grace, growth, and the quiet joy of knowing you’re steering with intention. Believe it or not, coaching can help you steer with intention – whether that steering is focused on your career, your family, or any decision or change you are navigating. Reach out if you want to talk more about how coaching can help you see through the fog of life and steer with intention.

Coaches Help Establish Your Personal Brand

Posted on June 13, 2025 by Tina-Schuricht

Coaches help establish your personal brand. When it comes to navigating your career, very little is more important for both you and your potential employers than clarity on your personal brand. And your brand is more important than ever in today’s digitally driven world.

Whether you’re a leader or a professional in a corporate environment, an entrepreneur growing a business, or someone seeking new opportunities, how well you know yourself and how you present yourself to the world can significantly impact your success. Your brand is your reputation, your values, and the unique qualities that set you apart from your competition. It’s the way people perceive you, and how you want to make others look and feel when they are around you. Managing this brand effectively can open doors, build trust, and establish long-lasting relationships. And this is where coaches can play a pivotal role in guiding individuals through the complexities of personal branding.

What Is Personal Branding?

Personal branding is the intentional process of defining and showcasing who you are, what you stand for, and the value you bring. It goes beyond just having an attractive LinkedIn profile or a polished resume—it’s about crafting a consistent narrative that reflects your expertise, personality, and passions.

The benefits of a well-managed personal brand can:

Boost credibility and authority: When your brand aligns with your expertise and values, people begin to see you as a thought leader in your industry.
Expand opportunities: A strong brand attracts potential clients, employers, partnerships, and collaborations.
Create a lasting impression: In a competitive market, a compelling personal brand helps you stand out.
Enhance trust and relationships: People are more likely to engage with those who are authentic, reliable, and transparent in their personal branding.

Why Managing Your Brand Matters

While creating a personal brand is the first step, maintaining and evolving it is just as crucial. The way people perceive you can shift over time based on your actions, communication, and engagement. Mismanaging your brand—whether through inconsistencies, lack of visibility, or negative interactions—can hinder your growth and opportunities.

Common challenges in personal brand management include:

Inconsistency: If your online presence differs from your offline behavior, it creates confusion.
Lack of clarity: A vague or unfocused brand does not resonate with your target audience.
Poor online reputation: Negative interactions or outdated content can impact credibility.

How Coaches Can Help Strengthen Your Brand

A coach acts as a strategic partner in defining, refining, and amplifying your brand. They provide insights, accountability, and guidance tailored to your goals. Some key ways coaches help include:

Clarifying your vision and values: Coaches help you articulate your strengths, passions, and unique qualities that shape your personal brand.
Enhancing communication skills: A coach ensures that your messaging aligns with your brand, whether in networking, public speaking, or digital content.
Improving online & executive presence: They provide strategies to optimize professional profiles and support you in increasing your executive presence
Providing ongoing support: Coaches help adapt your brand as your career evolves, keeping it fresh and relevant.

Your Brand – Your Most Powerful Asset

Your personal brand is one of your most powerful assets. It influences opportunities, relationships, and career opportunities. By actively creating and managing it, you can establish a strong, authentic presence that reflects your expertise and values. With the guidance of a coach, you can ensure your brand remains authentic, impactful and relevant. Reach out if you want to learn more about how coaches help establish your personal brand.

Alignment Between Personal Values and Professional Endeavors

Posted on January 30, 2025April 23, 2025 by Tina-Schuricht

Alignment between personal values and professional endeavors. It sounds hard, but coaches can help. Finding this alignment is key to achieving true fulfillment in your career. When your work resonates with your core beliefs, it not only enhances your job satisfaction but also fuels your motivation and sense of purpose. Here’s a guide on how to align your values with your work for a more meaningful professional life.

Understanding Your Core Values

The first step towards aligning values with your work is identifying what truly matters to you. Core values are the fundamental beliefs and principles that drive your behavior and decision-making. They encompass a range of aspects, including ethics, integrity, social responsibility, creativity, and personal growth.

As part of a coaching arrangement, one of the first things we do together is uncover these values and beliefs through a “floorplan” exercise where you identify the beliefs and values from the various rooms in the home you grew up in. Then you get the opportunity to contemplate what values have changed for you over time. This exercise helps you use the past to understand your present while also guiding your future.

Evaluating Your Current Role

Once you’ve identified your core values, evaluate how well your current job aligns with them. Consider the following aspects:

Company Culture: Does the company promote a culture that aligns with your core values? Are its ethics in line with your own values?
Job Role: Does your role allow you to leverage your strengths and pursue your passions? Do you feel that your contributions are valued and make a meaningful impact? How well does your role align with your values?
Work Environment: Is the work environment supportive and conducive to your personal and professional growth? Does it offer a healthy work-life balance? Does the environment support your values?

Assessing these elements can help you determine if your current job aligns with your values or if there are areas that can change to help bring that alignment closer together.

Making Adjustments

If you find discrepancies between your values and your work, it’s time to make adjustments. Here are some strategies to align your values with your professional life:

Communicate: Openly communicate your values and concerns with your supervisor if there is psychological safety in doing so. This can help foster an understanding and create opportunities for adjustments within your role or work environment.
Seek Alignment: Look for projects or tasks within your current job that align more closely with your values. Volunteering for initiatives that resonate with your core beliefs can provide greater satisfaction and fulfillment.
Professional Development: Invest in your professional development by seeking out training, certifications, or courses that align with your values and enhance your skills. This can open up new opportunities and roles that better match your principles.
Networking: Connect with like-minded professionals and organizations. Networking can provide valuable insights and opportunities to collaborate on projects that align with your values.

Exploring New Opportunities

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, your current job may not fully align with your values. In such cases, exploring new opportunities may be necessary. Research companies and roles that prioritize the values you hold dear. Look for organizations known for their ethical practices and employee satisfaction.

When applying for new jobs, make sure to highlight your values and how they align with the company’s mission during interviews. This not only demonstrates your commitment but also helps ensure a good fit for both you and the organization.

Embracing Continuous Growth

Aligning your values with your work is an ongoing process. As you grow and evolve, your values may shift, and it’s essential to periodically reassess and realign your professional life accordingly. Embrace continuous growth and stay adaptable to maintain alignment between your personal and professional aspirations.

Conclusion

Aligning your values with your work is crucial for achieving long-term satisfaction and fulfillment in your career. By understanding your core values, evaluating your current job, making necessary adjustments, exploring new opportunities, and embracing continuous growth, you can create a professional life that resonates with your beliefs and brings true meaning to your journey. Remember, a fulfilling career is one that reflects your values and allows you to contribute authentically to the world. Do you want to learn more about how coaches help you find alignment between your personal values and your professional endeavors? Please reach out and let’s chat!