This morning I made a decision about the next three (and a half) years. It has come time for me to renew my ACC (Associate Certified Coach) designation with ICF (the International Coach Federation).
In my coaching profession, I am required to be continually learning and serving. I will report the hours (not names) that I have coached since I first earned my ACC (August 2023). I will report all the opportunities that I have had to earn Continuing Coach Education Credits (a minimum of 40 hours). And I will work for ten hours with a mentor coach.
Then I will submit this work and take a renewal exam.
Upon successful completion of all this, I will have my credential for another three years.
I met with the person that I have chosen to be my mentor coach this morning. I was still uncommitted to this process of renewal. It is costly – both time and money wise. And I no longer feel like I NEED the credential to be an effective coach.
What shifted me to commitment? I don’t think I’ve squeezed all I can from some intentional focus on what it means for Emily to be Coach Emily. I still very much believe it is important to have ethical and professional accountability. I’m still curious about what this global community of coaches holds for me – and what I hold for it.
Most often, I don’t make decisions that stretch a few years into the future.
I have a sense that maybe this choice – not just the process – will have a few things to teach me. I’ll keep you posted here. 🙂