The metta365 approach
Imagine being able to transition through life’s inevitable ups and downs, knowing that whatever the situation you find yourself in and whatever the outcome, you have the capacity to find ease, clarity and acceptance, right where you are.
Imagine being empowered to recognise that the key to this has less to do with controlling life, and more to do with developing an increased awareness and acceptance of what is within your control and what is not, and choosing your reponse to both.
Mindfulness is a practice of mastering the mind.
Individuals and organisations benefit from mindful coaching interventions. Whether focusing on developing self-awareness and self-management in moving towards personal excellence, negotiating culture mergers within corporates or developing the superpowers that are part and parcel of becoming a mindul leader, mindfulness offers enormous potential benefit to everyone, regardless of personal beliefs or background.
Mindfulness teaches us to find clarity and ease within the pressures of unexpected crises, from global pandemics to retrenchment, bereavement to breakups. It guides us in how to consciously and systematically work with the demands of everyday life: overloaded agendas, constant connectivity and too-little quiet time. It helps us to become aware of where we are feeling stuck and where we may be sabotaging our own efforts to be the best version of ourself in our personal or professional life. We notice habitual patterns and identify clearly where we are experiencing stagnation. We practice impartial awareness of all the pressures, challenges and experiences in our life. And we do this not by turning away from them or forcing through them, but learning to be calmly resilient with and through them.
When powerful coaching is complemented with mindfulness practices, the results are compelling.
metta365 clients report being simultaneously challenged, supported and empowered to observe and alter their habitual responses by pausing and choosing how to move forward. This practice allows them to increase the gap between stimulus and response, as they move mindfully in the direction of their desired outcome.
“Working with Nicci reframeD my thinking and boosted my self-awareness sky-high. It enabled me to clarify my challenges and guided me in how to overcome them. My negative self-talk is a thing of the past and whilst being gently nudged outside of my comfort zone at times wasn’t always easy, it created the shift I needed to achieve my goal.” - entrepreneur, 51
In my role as your coach, I will:
embrace the International Coaching Federation and COMENSA core coaching competencies of active listening, creating awareness and earning your trust,
work with you to discover and clarify your vision, purpose, meaning and desires in order to set a solid and achievable goal, the achievement of which will be the end-result of our partnership,
partner with you to establish a workable form of accountability to enable you to move towards the fulfillment of your clearly defined goal/s,
offer guidance, challenge and champion you around the identification, development and utilisation of your inner and outer resources (including your mental faculties of attention, intention and reflection)
use mindfulness to bring non-judgemental attention and positive shift to your experiences of your personal or professional life (the two are usually closely entertwined).
skillfully, methodically and intuitively manage the coaching process, ensuring that by the end of the intervention you will have definitively achieved the goal that you identified at the outset .
In my role as your mentor, I will:
Sincerely and enthusiastically support you and encourage you along your path of personal or professional growth,
Freely share with you the knowledge, tools, techniques and ways of thinking that have benefited me over the years, professionally and personally,
Be there to guide you through times that you may feel the need someone trusted to show you the way or walk beside you whilst you move courageously in the direction of positive change,
Never pretend that I know an answer when I am not sure that I do, but commit to finding an answer where possible,
Give you my complete and undivided attention during a session,
Always meet you with non-judgemental and compassionate acceptance.
Meet your coach
NICCI CLOETE
My skill as a coach draws on twenty years of corporate and non-profit experience in the UK, USA and South Africa, a track record as a trusted retreat facilitator and yoga teacher, a wealth of life experience, and my innate empathy and ability to connect with people. Years in competitive sales environments taught me the value of listening more than speaking, whilst my lifelong interest in psychology, and an innate curiosity about - and respect for - people’s stories have stood me in good stead as I transitioned into a coaching and mentoring role.
I successfully partner with my clients in a forward thinking, positive, proactive process to help them get from where they are to where they want to be, whether in a personal or a professional context.
With experience of working in start-ups as well as global multi-brand organisations, I have the versatility to coach across all levels of seniority, with individuals or groups. I am told that I have the gravitas to engage with and influence senior decision-makers in a FTSE 100 boardroom and the playfulness to engage with a school hall full of scholars, and I am equally at ease in either type of setting and everything inbetween.
At a glance:
Graduated from Stellenbosch University: BA with a distinction in Psychology (1997)
Graduated with distinction in the Foundations to Executive & Management Coaching course through University of Cape Town (2019)
Continued Professional Development Phase 1 (2019) & 2 of Coach Training ongoing through ICF accredited organisation development company and training school Thoughtsmiths
10 years’ blue-chip corporate experience in London + the USA
10 years’ non-profit experience in the USA + South Africa
Certified yoga teacher with 400+ hours of teacher training (USA, South Africa, India)
10 years+ experience teaching yoga & facilitating retreats in South Africa and Namibia
Level 1 & 2 post-graduate certificates in Play Therapy (Centre for Play Therapy & Training)
The book that has had the greatest impact on my life is Viktor Frankl’s international bestseller, ‘Man’s Search For Meaning’, in which he unfolds his basic conviction that every crisis contains opportunity, and offers the maxim that has become my personal mantra:
It is always possible to ‘say yes to life’.
Read more...
Mindfulness practices have played a pivotal role in my life since my twenties, but most significantly over the last decade. A robust morning routine and a commitment to prioritising my own self-care are the bedrock to my ongoing long term recovery from addiction and early childhood trauma. I believe in the value of taking a holistic approach to any personal development journey, in order to bring about meaningful and sustainable positive change.
The tools of yoga, meditation and breathwork, along with a deep reverance for the natural world, and a host of phenomenal teachers, coaches and guides over the years, have all enabled me to trust the possibility of embracing life even in the face of great adversity.
As an Internationally Certified Infant Massage Instructor and an accredited "M” Technique Touch Therapist, I have a special interest in the power of touch and its ability to bring about healing.
An aspiring trail runner with a penchant for good coffee and wide open spaces, I live in Scarborough with my two children, cat and dog. I draw energy from the ocean and peace from the mountains, and count my blessings that I have access to both and the health to explore and enjoy them.
Testimonials
Frequently asked questions
Is there a typical metta365 client?
The short answer is no, but what they tend to have in common is that they are self-aware individuals who may be functioning in their lives – often exceptionally well – but recognise that they are not thriving, or that they are experiencing a stuckness, or keep tripping up over a stumbling block, or are unsure of how to move forward in a particular situation.
Transition, burnout and balance (or lack thereof) are common themes but there are as many permutations of these themes as they are clients experiencing them.
Through word of mouth, I have worked with a number of non-profits and NGO’s, both as organisations and the individuals within them. This is where a bulk of my experience lies and I am passionate about seeing business principles being woven into non-profits in order to enhance their tireless strivings towards the greater good.
My corporate clients are forward-thinking, agile organistions that have observed how large blue-chips are benefiting from bringing a more mindful approach into their way of operating and especially negotiating change, be they mergers or downsizing or introducing employee wellness programmes.
The clients who have benefited most out of contracting me as a coach or mentor, are those that have a fierce desire to learn and grow, who are aware of and open to the benefits of mindfulness, and are completely invested in the process of working with me.
All my clients possess the humility and bravery to recognise that they may benefit from professional help in slowing down, taking stock, and making some practical changes that may allow them to step into a new way of being that serves them better.
From a top exec facing retrenchment to an entrepreneur needing to pivot their start-up to meet the unprecedented demands that a new economy or a global pandemic bring; from a mother-of-three embarking on a process of conciously uncoupling from the father of her children; from a new parent struggling to find solid ground with a newborn; from an HR director struggling to separate the person from the process to a CEO of a non-profit feeling disillusioned by the impact they are really making in the world; from a young chartered accountant wanting to plan a move into acting as a career to an award-winning journalist struggling to find joy in his choice of career; from a highly regarded advocate crippled by her perfectionist tendencies and related procrastination to a single mother juggling responsibilities and not managing to find any semblance of downtime…
Together, we walk a path together towards whatever your personal goal is, as accountability partners and as co-creators of a new way of being in the world that is your life.
What does a typical intervention look like?
The short answer is that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach. It all depends on what you’d like to gain from engaging me as your coach and / or mentor.
Whilst every metta365 intervention is unique - whether corporate coaching for executives, across organisations, or individual life coaching or mentoring - each one is characterized by the following:
an attitude of unconditional positive regard towards you as client: a genuine belief that people are resourceful, capable of self-understanding and self-direction, able to make constructive changes, and able to live effective and productive lives, if the conditions for positive change are created,
the guarantee of a safe and compassionate space in which you are welcomed to arrive just as you are; a space in which judgement is suspended, and in which you as client are supported and empowered to find clarity, self-awareness and the confidence, ability and practical tools to move towards your desired goal (which we will bring into the light together),
the use of powerful questions and deep listening to stimulate courageous conversations aimed at creating a positive shift in your current reality, whether that may be to move you out of a place of stagnation, to shake loose and move beyond self doubt, to discover and explore internal and external possibilities and resources, ultimately creating an opportunity to unlock your potential and maximise your own performance,
the assurance of complete confidentiality as bound by the COMENSA Code of Ethics and Conduct.
The details, duration and different facets of your intervention will be specific to you, so best thing is to get in touch for an initial, free of charge ‘chemistry meeting’ so we can discuss this further.
Individual or group?
Individual interventions take place remotely – online, typically via Zoom or Skype.
Corporate interventions tend to happen on the client’s site, however can also be facilitated remotely if appropriate.
Group offerings – called mettamorphosis – take place in workshop or retreat settings in various locations, and offer an extended opportunity to practice and deepen mindfulness, meditation, breath work and movement in a supportive environment with likeminded others.
See events tab for upcoming mettamorphosis offerings and other scheduled events or get in touch.
Why remote coaching?
The world is changing, and like many coaches worldwide, I prefer to coach remotely, via Skype or Zoom. It may feel unfamiliar at first, but soon you won’t be able to imagine doing it any other way. Some of the benefits of remote coaching include:
greater depth and impact in a shorter time without the need for clients to travel (which incurs fuel costs and requires logistical considerations including planning routes around road works, traffic congestion, parking etc., all of which may induce stress and anxiety and further add pressure to an already-stretched schedule)
greater flexibility in terms of scheduling to suit my clients’ lifestyle or professional / personal obligations (after hours, after traffic, in different time zones while travelling)
since remote coaching cannot rely on traditional forms of communication, such as body language and subconscious cues, my levels of attention have been honed to be deeper with less distraction when coaching virtually
conversations deepen quickly due to the trust and safety created by being connected yet in one’s own space (your office, home, hotel)
my South African location lends itself to virtual coaching: the weaker rand and accessible time zones make high quality coaching affordable internationally, meaning that I am able to coach clients all over the world.
What does metta mean?
Metta is lovingkindness. It is a Pali term that means to care and wish well for another being without judging them, to accept them independently of agreeing or disagreeing with them, and without wanting anything from them in return. It refers to a universal love that can overcome social, religious, ethnic, political and economic barriers.
Metta is empathy. It’s the willingness to see the world from another’s point of view: to walk a mile in another person’s shoes.
Apart from its higher implications, metta is a pragmatic necessity in today’s world, a world menaced by all kinds of destructiveness: whether in our work life, within our personal relationships or in the way that we relate to ourselves.
Metta in deed, word and thought is an ancient but relevant and constructive means to bring concord, peace and mutual understanding into inner and outer areas of conflict and misalignment.
How does metta relate to coaching?
In modern parlance, and within the world of client-centred coaching, metta is synonymous with the approach of “unconditional positive regard”, a concept developed by the humanistic psychologist Carl Rogers. It speaks to the basic acceptance and support of a person regardless of what the person says or does, within the coaching relationship. It presupposes that each individual has within him or herself vast resources for self-understanding, for altering her or his self-concept, attitudes, and self-directed behaviour—and that these resources can be tapped if only a suitable and safe coaching climate is provided, as it is in any metta365 coaching intervention.
What does the 365 refer to?
The “365 method” is a beautifully simple yet powerful breathing technique:
3: At least three times a day…
6: Take six deep breaths a minute, for five minutes…
5: Breathing in for the count of five as you lengthen the spine, and out for the count of five as you relax your jaw, relax your shoulders, soften the belly, release tension from your body…
…and repeat every day, 365 days a year.
For more information on how this and other breathing exercises can reduce stress levels, boost immunity, and help with anxiety and insomnia, please get in touch.
What’s in a symbol?
Ensō is a sacred symbol in Zen Buddhism meaning circle, and symbolises freedom, concentration, attention to the present moment, the beginning and end of all things, and the interconnectedness of all existence.
Ensō can also represent the moon’s reflection on water, thereby symbolizing the futility of searching for enlightenment outside oneself, which speaks directly to my belief that each individual holds within him or herself the capacity and the resources to achieve his or her highest potential: sometimes we just need someone to walk alongside us, supporting us along this path.
The brushstroke of the symbol may be open or closed. If open, as in our logo, the circle is incomplete, thus allowing for movement and development, which is what a metta365 intervention is all about.
Individual Coaching
In which I am contracted by a private individual to work towards a personal or professional goal.
From R1045 / $55 / 44GBP per hour
(Discretionary discounted rates may be available for pensioners, students + NGO-staff- please contact me to discuss your unique situation)
option 1
A Single Coaching Conversation
30-90 minutes
option 2 | most popular
The Short Coaching Series
6 sessions of 60-90 minutes each
option 3
The Extended Coaching Series
12 sessions of 60-90 minutes each
workplace coaching
In which I am contracted by an organisation (non-profit or for-profit) for a variety of interventions.
From R2475 / $131 / 105GBP per hour
(Discretionary dicounted rates may be available for non-profits, NGOs, PBOs - please contact me to discuss your unique situation)
option 1
Individual Coaching
Includes mindfulness training, performance reviews, performance coaching, career development coaching, executive coaching, personal development coaching.
option 2
Team / group coaching
Mindfulness training; increasing engagement; developing, re-establishing and defining an organisational culture by aligning individuals; creating internal values branding; executive coaching; aligning the cultures of merged entities; producing action and accountability within teams; creating a common vision; harnessing diversity and creativity within a group; facilitating difficult conversations, and so on.
ADDED VALUE
Metta365 clients benefit from free participation in select online offerings for the duration of their coaching intervention e.g. certain workshops, mindfulness / yoga / meditation sessions, courses. Existing and previous Metta365 clients receive first option on retreats and above offerings, at a reduced rate.
Please contact me to discuss your requirements, or click here to instantly book a date and time that works for you for an initial 30-minute consultation. It is free of charge and there are no obligations.
Variables that determine the rate include session length, duration, frequency; whether an individual is a student or pensioner, whether an organisation is a corporate or an NGO, whether the intervention is remote or on-site / face-to-face, and more.
please contact me to discuss how I can accommodate your needs.
from my blog
Featured
To perform at our best in crucial conversations, marrying mindful intentions with mindful actions helps to ensure that we can make good on our good intentions. The ABC method empowers us to communicate more mindfully by arriving fully (A), practicing grounded curiosity breathing (B), and connecting with an unfolding moment of conversation by invoking a generous interpretation (C).