The traffic outside was a symphony of horns, chaos, noise, and endless vehicles. But, inside the small café, the air was filled with the scent of masala chai. Rohan gripped the warm steel glass a little too tightly. This was his first life coaching session. 

Rohan’s mind was running through a classic Bollywood script of worst-case scenarios: a lecture, tough advice he couldn’t follow, or worse - a stranger telling him his whole career in IT was a mistake or misalignment. He felt a deep, familiar anxiety and restlessness: ‘What if I look like a fool? What if she judges me for feeling 'stuck' when I have a good job?’ The fear of being judged for not living up to the "log kya kahenge" standard was very real. 

Then, Leela walked over. She wore a simple kurta, had a relaxed smile, and looked less like a corporate guru and more like a favorite university professor. ‘Rohan, welcome! How’s the weather treating you?’ She asked, settling into the chair opposite. They exchanged a few relaxed words about the rain and the traffic, while Leela got herself a masala chai. 

So, tell me, Rohan, Leela began, not with a command, but an invitation. ‘What's the one thing, if it changed today, would make you feel lighter?’ 

Rohan started talking about his recent promotion, which felt more like a burden than a blessing. He spoke about his dream of starting a small, ethical travel company - a dream he kept locked away because it felt too risky and impractical. Leela didn't jump in with a solution. She didn't interrupt. She simply witnessed his struggle. She maintained a quiet, powerful presence that made the space feel instantly safe. 

 

The Aha! Moments 

Then, the magic started. 

Leela asked, When you think about the travel company, what exactly is the feeling you are craving? 

 

Rohan paused. He had always focused on the work (budgets, logistics). But Leela’s question hit differently, cutting through the noise and regular thoughts. 

1. Aha! #1: The Goal is the Feeling. Rohan realized: ‘It’s freedom, Leela. It feels like my work truly matters.’ 

Leela nodded softly. ‘So, if the feeling is freedom, where in your current IT job can you create even 10% more of that feeling this week?’ 

Rohan blinked. He thought freedom only existed in the future, far away, only with his passion. 

1. Aha! #2: Freedom is a Choice, Not a Destination. He smiled. ‘I could ask my manager to lead a new, creative project that has nothing to do with deadlines. I haven't even tried it!’ This was the start of his Self-Discovery. 

Later, Rohan worried about his parents' expectations. ‘They sacrificed so much. It feels selfish to chase my own path’, he admitted. 

Leela didn't dismiss his concern. She asked, ‘If you were truly happy and fulfilled, Rohan, how would that make your parents feel?’ 

1. Aha! #3: Happiness is Not Selfish. Rohan felt a lump in his throat. ‘They would feel successful. They always wanted me to be truly happy, not just successful on paper.’ The heavy fear of judgment dissolved. He experienced the beginning of Personal Growth. 

 

By the end of the session, Rohan didn't have a business plan, but he had something better: clarity. He had a small action step (talk to the manager) and a powerful realization: Coaching wasn't about being told what to do. It was about being asked the right questions so he could find the answers already inside him. Leela had simply held the mirror steadily. 

He finished his chai. It wasn't advice he'd been given; it was empowerment. The heavy veil of fear was gone, replaced by a quiet, exciting energy. This reflective space, he realized, was exactly what he needed for genuine Life Coaching. 

 

 

Ready for Your Own Clarity? 

If Rohan's story resonated with you - if you have that one big question, that hidden dream, or that feeling of being "stuck" for which you're seeking answers - it's time to find your own Leela. Stop searching endlessly. Start finding the answers within.

 

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