The Alchemist Book Review & Ties to Narrative Coaching

Author: Paulo Coelho Book Report By: Noah Dahlien

Overview

I chose The Alchemist because it's often cited as a fable about purpose and soul-led living—ideas that feel especially resonant as I grow into my identity as a coach. Reading it through the lens of narrative coaching revealed deep parallels: the importance of listening inward, honoring the unknown, and trusting the unfolding path. Santiago’s journey reminded me that transformation isn’t about achieving a fixed destination—it’s about being shaped by the search itself.

4 Key Points & Insights

1. The Personal Legend: Coaching as Sacred Purpose Work

“To realize one's destiny is a person's only obligation.” (p 24)

At the heart of the novel is Santiago’s pursuit of his “Personal Legend”—his soul’s true path. This aligns closely with coaching’s role in helping clients reconnect with an inner sense of direction, one often buried under noise, obligation, or fear.

• Narrative connection: Clients often arrive with questions that point to a deeper longing. Narrative coaching helps uncover that longing—not as a problem to solve, but a sacred thread to follow.

• My learning: I noticed where I still try to “figure things out” for clients. This book reminded me to remain true to the client’s agenda with reverence.

• ICF Tie-In: Evokes Awareness—facilitating insight into one’s deeper callings and inner truth.

2. Trusting the Heart: Listening Beyond Logic

“You will never be able to escape from your heart. So it’s better to listen to what it has to say.” (p 134)

Santiago must learn to hear his heart’s voice amid doubt and danger. His listening isn’t perfect, but it’s patient. In coaching, the heart often whispers beneath the surface of goals and stories. Learning to trust it—both for client and coach—is transformative.

• Narrative connection: The heart speaks through emotion, metaphor, and memory. Coaching honors that language, creating space for what can’t always be named logically.

• My learning: I’m learning to slow down and listen for what’s unspoken. Sometimes the pause reveals more than the plan.

• ICF Tie-In: Listens Actively—tuning into tone, energy, and essence beyond just the words.

3. The Journey is the Treasure: Embracing the Unknown

“Every search begins with beginner’s luck. And every search ends with the victor’s being severely tested.” (p 137)

Though Santiago seeks a physical treasure, what he gains—wisdom, love, courage—is far richer. Coaching mirrors this: clients may seek change, but it’s often the journey of becoming that matters most.

• Narrative connection: We support clients not in “getting there,” but in meeting themselves along the way.

• My learning: I’m letting go of outcomes and leaning into the value of presence. That shift has softened my coaching stance—it’s less about progress, more about presence.

• ICF Tie-In: Maintains Presence—staying with the client through ambiguity, challenge, and emergence.

4. Signs, Synchronicity, and Soul Language

“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” (p 24)

I’d heard this line many times before—it’s familiar, even cliché to some—but that’s part of what drew me to The Alchemist in the first place. It hints at a deeper intelligence—a guiding force that emerges when we’re in alignment with our true path. In coaching, we help clients notice and trust these moments of resonance, intuition, and symbolic insight

• Narrative connection: Metaphor, dreams, and synchronicities often show up in coaching. Recognizing them as part of the client’s inner knowing brings depth to the work.

• My learning: I’m honoring symbolic language more in sessions—asking clients what their dreams or images might be saying. It’s opened unexpected doors.

• ICF Tie-In: Cultivates Trust and Safety—by creating space for the client’s worldview, spiritual framework, and intuitive knowing to be seen, heard, and respected.

Application

As I continue to grow as a coach, I intend to bring the concept of the “Personal Legend” into sessions where clients feel stuck or split between life paths. Rather than searching for the “right” answer, I want to help clients listen inward—to explore what feels most resonant with who they’re becoming. I plan to invite more moments of stillness, reflection, and inner inquiry to support their self-trust. I also want to deepen my use of symbolic language—encouraging clients to notice metaphors, images, or synchronicities that might point to their deeper truths. These shifts will help me show up with more reverence, patience, and presence.

Personal Reflection

The Alchemist reminded me that coaching isn’t a map—it’s a mirror. The journey isn’t about knowing, but about being known—by oneself. As a coach, my job isn’t to predict outcomes or remove uncertainty. It’s to walk with clients as they listen to their own hearts, learn from the detours, and find the courage to keep going.