Have the courage to make the changes YOU deserve!
How to Self-Coach Your Way from Stuck to Let’s Go
Who do you turn to when you feel stuck? You know what I mean – we’ve all been there! You’re overwhelmed, confused, and you can’t figure out your next step. Even if you could, your motivation has vanished, making progress impossible. This can happen at any time, in your business, in your personal life, and even in both areas at once.
What if I told you, you already know someone who can help you get unstuck? And I’m not talking about me! Let’s dive into the world of self-coaching…
What is Self-Coaching?
Self-coaching is the process of guiding your own growth and development. It puts you in the driver's seat of your life, fostering a sense of empowerment as you take control of your decisions and actions. When used to navigate life’s challenges, it can also help you become more self-reliant and resilient. It’s particularly useful during periods of transition or upheaval, whether personal or professional.
It goes without saying, I’m a strong believer in the power of coaching. If you have the opportunity to work with a professional like myself, I’d encourage you to grab it with both hands. However, I also know how transformative self-coaching can be. I’m happiest when my clients come away with tools and strategies they can continue using long after we’ve finished working together.
How Does it Work and Why is it Such a Powerful Tool?
We all have the capacity to coach ourselves out of a funk, over obstacles and through challenges. But how does self-coaching work?
Essentially, it requires you to step into the role of both coach and client. It’s about asking yourself tough questions, setting intentions and charting a course for the future. The power and effectiveness of self-coaching also rests on your ability to show yourself kindness and compassion, just as a coach or mentor would.
Self-coaching encourages introspection and self-reflection. You’ll get really clear on your values, beliefs and motivations. By tuning into your needs and desires, you’ll also identify areas for improvement and hopefully start implementing strategies to achieve your goals.
I believe the most powerful aspect of self-coaching is its accessibility. Not only is it completely personalised and unique to you, once you’ve learned how to coach yourself through something, you’ll always have those skills in your back pocket. It’s like having a coach on speed dial, ready to help whenever you need them!
Self-Coaching, Step-By-Step…
1. Self-Reflection
Self-coaching begins with self-reflection and introspection. Set aside some time to examine your thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Journaling is a great way to do this. Here are some prompts to get you started:
- When I think about the impact I want to make, I think about doing…
- I feel most alive when…
- What do I want to be remembered for?
- Who do I want to be in five years? {Include as much detail as possible
- How do I define success? Does my life currently fulfil that definition
- What do I need to let go off and why?
- What’s one action I can take today to make my life 1% better?
If you can make self-reflection a regular practice, you’ll gradually improve your self-awareness. When we truly know ourselves, it becomes much easier to overcome challenges and create the life we want.
2. Goal Setting
With improved self-awareness, you’ll be better equipped to define your goals, both short-term and long-term. For more guidance in this area, read How to Set Goals (and be Gentle With Yourself).
3. Action & Accountability
Reflecting and setting intentions for the future is all well and good, but it doesn’t mean anything unless you take action. Start implementing your plans, track your progress and remember to celebrate every win. Consistency is key, but if you find yourself faltering, go back to step one. Ask yourself why you’re struggling. Do your actions line up with your values and beliefs? Do you need to adjust your plan or revise your goals completely?
4. Mindset
As with any form of coaching, a growth mindset is essential. Self-development is an ongoing process and it’s rarely a linear journey. There will be setbacks and wobbles along the way, but with the right mindset, you’ll see them for what they are – bumps in the road rather than barriers blocking your path completely. Read Does Mindset Really Matter? for more on this subject.
5. Evaluation
For self-coaching to be effective, it needs to include thorough evaluation. This is why it’s important to track your progress and continue checking in with yourself and your goals. Whether things are going well or not, there’s always something you can take away from the experience. Cultivating a habit of celebrating your wins and learning from your failures will help you remain motivated, no matter what.