Episode #65: Chloë Garland – The Jam Donut Principle, Quarter-Life Crises and the Philosophy of Coaching

A quarter-life crisis is a period of intense soul searching that arrives when we are first confronted with the question of what to do with our lives. That’s according to Chloë Garland, the founder of QuarterLife, a company that works with individuals and organisations to help people in their 20s and 30s not just survive, but thrive. In this episode of The Coach’s Journey Podcast, Chloë sheds light on the generational shifts that have prolonged adolescence, and how many of us encounter our first truly meaningful life choices in our mid or late 20s. Chloë tells host Alex Whitton how studying philosophy encouraged her to ponder life’s big questions, and how in her first coaching session – at age 22 – she was asked questions she had never considered before. That session left Chloë feeling ignited, and she describes the unusual experience of being called into coaching at a young age, knowing she had a gift for conversations but perhaps unaware of the profound impact she would have on the lives of young people she would meet along the way. In this episode, Chloë and Alex also talk about: • Living emergently, holding goals lightly, and embracing opportunities as they arise
 • The jam donut principle of purpose and presence
 • The power of metaphors and fables to simplify complex ideas
 • Psychodemographics, and how to find your niche
 • The value of shared experience in coaching, and the importance of owning your story
 Chloë also shares some hugely valuable lessons on growing a coaching business, reflecting on investments, outsourcing, and how the fear of success can be as much of a hindrance as the fear of failure.