Is there more that you could do to realise your full potential?
Are you struggling to balance the pros and cons of accepting a job offer?
Perhaps you’ve been experiencing a drop in confidence that’s affecting your relationships.
Or maybe a new project has grabbed your imagination and you need to focus on managing the work.
It could be that you feel the need to make changes to your daily or weekly routine but haven’t been able to summon up the energy to start the process.
It’s estimated that, on average, we make 35,000 decisions A DAY. That’s a lot for the brain to handle! And some decisions will be bigger than others. Whether concerning a lifestyle change, employment or social relationships, we all at some time or other have to “bite the bullet” and make a choice. But arriving at that moment of decision is fraught with “ifs, buts and maybes”.
Of course, a lot of the time, we can lean on family and friends and ask for their opinions : “what would YOU do in MY situation?!” This can to work on occasions. But often this source of advice carries with it risk of positive and negative bias : THEY are not YOU! No-one can know what’s truly best for you – other than YOU. So – who can help?
The Role of the Life Coach
A life coach is trained to help you find a way through the obstacles which are strewn along the pathways to your decision. They will offer considered, rational analysis of your situation to help you understand where your “block” is; what negative thought patterns you may be exhibiting, for example. They can assist you to reveal your strengths and areas to work on, and help you to find the motivation to start moving in the direction of YOUR choice.
Clients choose to work with a Life Coach because they value that special connection and motivation that a qualified professional can offer: unbiased, empirical advice and intuition independent of well-intentioned family or friends. Goal-identification and setting, planning the stages of your “journey” and monitoring your progress via regular meetings are all part of the characteristic Life Coaching “package”.
A typical life coaching session will comprise conversations which will cover your values and beliefs, strengths and weaknesses to instill self-awareness. Communication skills, managing emotions and how to cultivate better relationships also form part of the discussions.
This type of interaction with your life coach will allow exploration of the various options and scenarios available to promote more thoughtful and informed decision-making. Risks and opportunities can be identified leading to more balanced perspectives on issues.
A key challenge for many is how to prioritise actions and a life coach can assist in clarifying objectives and helping focus on the matter in hand. Often, it’s a question of balance i.e. professional ambitions versus personal well-being.
In short, there are many areas of daily personal and commercial life which can benefit from your engagement with a life coach. For example, learning how to remain calm when faced with a problem and managing stress through the application of proven techniques. In addition, the very fact that the life coach is independent means that they can recognise potential distractions and sharpen your focus thereby improving your productivity and time management.
Developing skills to improve assertiveness and communication are a stock item on a life coaching program and are very useful in both the professional and personal arena.
And life coaches are not only a “sticking plaster” to get you to achieve short-term goals. They are most effective when in it for the long term. They help you create habits and mindsets that lead to lasting change. By considering all aspects of your life—career, relationships, health, and personal growth—a life coach helps you build a balanced, fulfilling life.
To sum up, the value of consulting a life coach lies in the personalised, unbiased support they offer, guiding you through personal development, goal achievement, and life’s challenges. A Life Coach will guide you in your decision making, but all decisions made are ultimately YOURS. Whether you’re looking to make a significant change or simply want to maximize your potential, a life coach can be a valuable partner in your journey.
Drop me a message if you would like to find out more about Life Coaching with me!
Important information
Life coaches are not trained to help with mental health issues
If you are currently experiencing any form of mental health issue, or are concerned that you might be, you are recommended to seek medical advice from a doctor, Mental Health counsellor or therapist who will be able to support the correct treatment options for this. Life coaches are not qualified as mental health professionals and can therefore not provide this support. Seek help and information www.mind.org.uk
Research and acknowledgements
befitnessandpt.co.uk 