Broadening Horizons

I have been daydreaming about coaching in Spanish for about a year now. Last July, I added a map of the Americas and Spain to my career vision board. Speaking Spanish feels like holding the key to millions of treasure boxes. It removes boundaries and connects me to a more vast world, giving me a sense of adventure and richness that I am eager to explore.

Initially, my goal was to start coaching in Spanish by May 2025. I believed this timeframe would provide enough time to become fluent and therefore credible. During a gathering with Argentine coach colleagues a couple of weeks ago, I shared my timeline and suddenly one of them interrupted my daydream and made it real: "You know you could start now". Her words sent a lightning bolt of possibility through me. Part of me leaped with excitement, while another part quivered with doubt. "My Spanish isn't that great," I hesitated, picturing all the ways I might mess up.

Another coach, sensing my hesitation, shared her own experience. "I coach in German," she said, "it's far from perfect. But we make it work. I'm always transparent—if language becomes an issue, clients can choose another coach. Clients appreciate honesty more than flawlessness."

So the next day I decided I was ready to embrace imperfection. I would lower my standards and settle for "good enough" in the beginning, particularly regarding language. I chose to believe that my passion and skills would transcend linguistic limitations.

"Hola..." I ventured when I connected with my first Spanish-speaking client this week. I focused on staying grounded, keeping my inner critic at bay. In the moment, I had to recognize that my brain couldn't simultaneously listen, reflect, inquire, and take notes, so I ditched my notepad to prioritize presence. When I'm truly connected with myself, my body relaxes, my mind opens, and my comprehension deepens. I allowed myself to speak freely, embracing an imperfect but authentic flow.

The conversation exceeded my expectations. My client not only stayed engaged but booked another session. Suddenly, three more appointments with Spanish-speaking clients appeared on my calendar. Colombia, Argentina, Spain, and Costa Rica were expanding my coaching world in ways I had only dreamed about.

The universe seemed to be conspiring in my favor, apparently telling me that "not being ready" is often just fear dressed up as caution. Growth doesn't wait for perfection—it happens when we dare to leap. I am deeply grateful for the gentle push from my colleagues and the reminder that our biggest limitations are often the ones we impose on ourselves.