Working with a coach can lead to self-discoveries and goal attainment that can truly transform your life. While the coach and your relationship with them does matter, it will ultimately depend on how you show up for this commitment to yourself. To get the most out of your coaching sessions, I offer a few tips here just to help get you started.
Some of these may be small, but sometimes the smallest changes can make the biggest difference. Others of these may feel like a big leap for you. Of course, what works for one person, may not work for another. Use what feels right and modify anything that works best for you. If you’re not sure, consider trying different tools and see what fits.
Either way, since you are determined to be a conscious-creator of your life story, I strongly encourage you to do at least one thing different. That is what will help you to get the most out of your coaching sessions.
If you have questions or would like to learn more about any of these tools, simply let me know during our sessions and we can explore them together. And don’t be shy! If you have others that work for you, or you decide to try some of these on, I’d love to know all about it.
Before Each Session – PREPARING SPACE
Set aside time to get focused, centered, and present. Consider these questions: What is my ideal outcome for this time with my coach? What do I need most right now? This is a great way to honor yourself and all that you are creating.
This could be for as little as 5 minutes. You can, of course, do this for as long of a period as you can create for yourself.
The idea is to avoid rushing from one thing to the next. Open yourself to receiving messages from your highest guidance. Treat this time like an important meeting with yourself (because it is!).
Some examples include:
- asking yourself the questions above and then clearing your mind by taking a walk
- meditating
- repeating mantras (I am prioritizing my happiness. I am worth it. I am open to learning and growing.)
- journaling
- breath work
- believe it or not… taking a nap
Turn off / silence your electronics / notifications to limit distractions during this time and during our session.
Ask people in your vicinity to not disturb you during our session.
During Each Session – BEING PRESENT
Consider what will help you to be the most present. Also consider what will help you to remember what you discover during our sessions.
Being present is about being able to focus on the moment and all that is before you. Avoid thinking about that email, that text, or your next task for the day.
Now that you’ve prepared space before our session, being present should be much easier. It is very common, though, for people to assume that they will remember the incredible discoveries they’re making. After all, they’re yours! And then… they forget them. So, consider how you best learn and retain information.
Would taking notes during our session help you to remember key realizations? Will you remember that brilliant thing you just said?
For some people, taking notes can be distracting. For them, being fully present includes not taking notes and instead being completely immersed in the moment. Would carving out time to journal after our session help you to remember your key discoveries?
After Each Session – INTEGRATION
Consider how you best hold yourself accountable. How will you be sure to follow through with important realizations and steps that you want to take towards yourself?
Integration is about implementing what you are discovering about yourself into your life for lasting changes, and accountability is key. Move beyond your profound epiphanies and into conscious-creation where you practice internalizing and implementing.
Some examples include:
- Journaling immediately after our session while you’re still in the energy and mindset. This will require you to prepare space and time after our sessions. I recommend getting a journal that is dedicated just for our coaching sessions so that you can track your progress. You’ll love looking back at it a year from now.
- Writing down your next steps, reviewing them daily, and checking them off when complete.
- Asking a trusted person in your life to hold you accountable in ways that work for both of you.
- Simply talking to a loved one about your experience with the session.
- Preparing a summary of your integration experience / progress to discuss during our next session together.
Expert Level – HAVE FUN + feel GRATITUDE
It’s all too easy to get caught up taking ourselves so seriously. We then forget an extremely important ingredient to healing and creating our best life: JOY.
Allowing yourself to feel all of your emotions is very important, even if it is anger, fear, or sadness. If you find yourself not making time for joy, however, then this tip is for you.
Enjoying life looks different for everyone. Do what truly brings a smile to your face and fills your heart with pure joy. This could range from dancing around the house to your favorite song, having a night out with friends, or gardening. Make every effort you can to add joy into your life at least once a week, if not once a day.
Find at least one thing a day to be grateful for. It can be as small (yet big) as being grateful for
- warm water
- flushing toilets
- the food you ate that day
- eyes to see
- the resources to collaborate with a life coach
For extra credit, practice this being the first thought you wake up to, and the last thought before you go to bed. Eventually, you will find yourself feeling more grateful throughout the day, and even doing it in some of your toughest moments.
Having fun and feeling gratitude can feel challenging during a rough time in our lives. This is why I am specifically reminding you to make conscious choices to include this in your life, no matter how small it is at first. Research proves that these are powerful steps to improving your mental health, physical health, and even the outcome of all that you are creating in your life!
So have fun, my friend. Enjoy the journey.
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