What I’m about to tell you is a bit unusual.

In fact it’s downright odd.

But maybe I can tempt you over to the dark side.

Here goes:

Whenever friends are at the flat and I make them a cup of tea, I’ll give them the cup with the tea bag still fully plonked in the cup.

I know most people don’t do this.

But to my mind leaving the tea bag in the cup is the perfect way to let someone decide how weak or strong they want their cuppa.  Because once the tea has reached the desired strength, there’s a handy spoon and saucer nearby, which means the now defunct tea bag can be safely removed and the perfectly brewed cup of joe can be imbibed with glee.

I’ve got into a few semi-heated powwows about this over the years.

People say that leaving the bag in the cup means I’m neglecting my duty as tea-maker.  That I’m half-arsing my job.

But I just don’t get it.

If giving someone else the choice and freedom to decide exactly how they want their cuppa is neglecting my duty, well okay then.

Guilty as charged.

String me up!

But surely there’s no way to be more hospitable as tea-maker-in-chief than letting someone decide exactly how they want their cuppa.

Everyone’s tastes are different, after all. 

Do they want it pale, weak and milky?

Would they like it strong and dark?

Or do they want it somewhere in the middle?

There really are fifty shades of Earl Grey tea.

Even if I asked my guests how they’d like their tea, and then attempted to make it to those specifications, it would still be my best guess.

And my best guess is never, EVER, going to be anywhere close to someone’s own knowing and discernment.

There really is no-one who knows ourselves better than we do.  And thus no-one better placed to judge what’s right for us.

You might think I’m being over the top.

If so, I get it.  We can agree to disagree on cups of tea. 

But when it comes to living our life, this whole idea is pivotal.  

And it’s why I coach like I do.

My coaching isn’t handing you a pre-made steaming mug of cha on a well-polished silver platter. 

I’m not doling out generic advice from my well-worn recipe book or giving you my best guess of an action plan for your life.

If this is what you want then go click on a few Instagram ads and sign-up for whatever the latest paint-by-numbers course or magic formula the dimfluencers are pedalling these days.

My coaching is a complete 180 from this.

It’s a conversation about life, who we are and how we work...

It’s an exploration of all the things you want to do in the world...

And it’s supporting you to uncover the insights, actions and overall life that are right for you.

Bottom line:  the only person qualified to say what’s right for you…

Is you!

If this sounds like your cup of tea:

https://waitinglist.followingfulfilment.com

- Tom