
We’re now going to build our self-awareness muscles and we’ll start by doing some internal awareness exercises. The first of which is called thoughts-as-clouds. It’s an age-old meditation technique and we will use it as a simple exercise which we will build upon in the exercises that follow.
In part 1 of the Thoughts-as-clouds exercise, we simply observed our thoughts cross our mind as though they were clouds in the sky. In part 2 of the exercise, as we observe our thoughts, we will listen for any emotions that arise around these thoughts. Again, we’re not acting on them or making meaning of them, simply observing them.
The second part of this exercise is about identifying any links you may have between your physical sensations and your emotions.
You’ve come along way. You should be well armed now to begin the module on self-regulation. Before you tee-off on self-regulation, it’s worth pausing and reflecting on the lessons and exercises that you have engaged in to date.
Take particular note of the exercises you have found most helpful through this module. Keep reference to the topic name and lesson so you can easily refer to them at a later date.
Urge Surfing Summary
Close eyes and breathe.
Connect with difficult urge.
Name the urge.
Notice how the urge feels in the body.
Now ask yourself how acting on the urge sits within your stated values? (keep breathing, stay present to how it feels inside your body)
Is there an action I can take instead that will align with my values?
(might be simply, put my phone on the charger and read a book for a few minutes).
Stay with the urge until it dissipates.
In this exercise, reflect on a moment you had during the week where you experienced self-compassion, self-awareness, or improved self-regulation.
It is in the practice of self-compassion and then the reflection on the practice, which will allow the experience of gratitude to fill us.
Process summary:
Practice self-compassion, self-awareness and self-regulation during the week
Reflect on your practice; identify one moment where you had a positive experience
How do you feel about yourself when you reflect on this practice?
Allow the experience of gratitude to alight upon you.
You may want to circle back through the program at your leisure. Don’t be in a rush to force the experience. With practice and reflection, the experience will take care of itself.
About the Course
Dive into a course where the trading floor's wisdom meets the finesse of executive coaching, all led by the incomparably honest David Hobart. This isn’t your typical professional development program; it’s a journey into the heart of what makes a person not just competent, but exceptional at their chosen profession, whether you're leading a team in the boardroom or calling the shots on the sports field.
David brings his distinct, no-nonsense clarity to every lesson, making complex concepts accessible and relatable. He sheds light on the power of self-awareness, teaching you to see through the fog of the financial world with unparalleled insight. His approach to teaching self-compassion will help you weather the storms of market pressures with grace, while his strategies for self-regulation will ensure that you always bring your best self to the boardroom.
The art of self-expression is demystified, enabling you to communicate with the kind of precision and conviction that commands respect and drives progress. This course is about more than just navigating the financial landscape; it's about shaping it with your newfound emotional intelligence.
While targeted at financial professionals, the course content itself is universally applicable—valuable to anyone seeking to be a leader in the emotional aspects of their field. With David’s guidance, expect to walk away not only with a sharper mind but with a more engaged and influential presence in your professional sphere.
About Dave:
Dave Hobart is an investment professional and performance coach. His career, spanning from 1994 to the present, showcases a deep expertise in trading, investment management, and performance coaching. He began his career in investment banking and trading at Bankers Trust, ABN Amro NV, and Macquarie Bank, and later established his own Hedge Fund, Apeiron Global Macro Fund.
Dave's interest in performance coaching developed while managing traders and portfolio managers in his various career roles. Observing how stress and uncertainty impacts decision making and performance has informed the development of his coaching programs. Dave has coached investment bank traders, hedge fund managers and tech founders to make better decisions under intense competitive pressure.
Dave's coaching approach, which he has developed since 2006, focuses on three key areas: optimizing performance outcomes, facilitating lasting behavioural change, and improving wellbeing through increased self-awareness. His extensive background in trading, investment management, and performance coaching positions him as a valuable mentor and teacher.