How coaching works
Case study: A college student builds confidence
Meet Alex, a senior at a private liberal arts college in the Northeast. Alex is a bright and determined computer science major who has been working hard to sharpen his focus and create balance in his life. Living with ADHD has brought its share of challenges, but with the steady guidance of his coach, Alex is learning how to turn those challenges into opportunities for growth. Together, they’ve been building new habits, exploring creative strategies, and finding ways for Alex to thrive academically and personally.
One afternoon, at the start of their coaching session, Alex’s coach greets him warmly. “Hi, Alex! How was your week, and what do you want to work on today?”
Alex leans forward, his pride evident. “I’ve been experimenting with my schedule. I’m starting my studying at 4:30 instead of 6:30. I use the Pomodoro method until the Celtics game gets to the second half. Like you taught me, I study for 25 minutes and then take a five minute break three times in a row. Then I take a big break to watch the rest of the game. After that, I do one more Pomodoro session and finish studying by 8:30 or 9:00. That way, I still have time to hang out with friends.” The coach’s face lights up. “Alex, that’s fantastic! Give yourself a pat on the back. This is a huge step forward.”
Alex grins, a little bashful.
“No, really,” the coach encourages with a playful smile. “I want to see you do it.”
Alex laughs but obliges, reaching over his shoulder to give himself a quick pat.
“You know what I love about what you’re doing?” the coach asks.
“What?” Alex says, tilting his head in curiosity.
“You’re practicing something called Design Thinking—or what some people call Lean Startup. You’ve really embraced the idea of testing new strategies and learning from them. That’s such a powerful approach.”
“Design Thinking?” Alex echoes. “What’s that?”
The coach leans in, sensing an opportunity. “It’s a methodology that came out of software development. Want me to explain? I think you’ll find it fascinating.”
Alex nods eagerly, and the coach explains: “It’s about taking action by designing small, low-risk experiments, testing them, gathering feedback, tweaking your approach, and repeating the process until you land on something that truly works. It’s a creative and practical way to solve problems. Eric Ries popularized it. If you’re curious, look him up on social media or check out his book, Lean Startup Machine.”
“Wow,” Alex says, his eyes lighting up. “I’ll definitely check that out.”
“So, what do you think Design Thinking has to do with your study schedule?”
Alex pauses, then his face brightens with realization. “I’m designing experiments with my schedule to see what works best! Like how I realized watching the whole Celtics game made me study too late. So, I tested an idea to fix that.”
“Exactly!” the coach exclaims. “And look how well it’s working. You’ve taken a challenge, designed a creative solution, and are already seeing results. This is the kind of mindset that will help you tackle any problem.”
Alex smiles, his confidence growing. “Maybe I can figure more out.”
The coach beams. “I know you can. You’re figuring out what works best for you. If you keep doing that, nothing can hold you back.”
In that moment, Alex feels a surge of confidence—not just in the progress he’s made but in the tools he’s building with his coach’s guidance. Together, they’re not just solving problems—they’re equipping Alex with skills that will serve him well for years to come.
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