momentum

The Power of Beginnings

 in quote  tagged begining / momentum
The background is a warm yellow ombre, starting with an orangy yellow at the top progressing downwards to a lighter yellow. On a golden yellow table top sits a closed silver lap top. Ontop of that is an traditional alarm clock with a round analogue face and two bells on the top with a hammer in between. The time reads 8.01 The case of the clock, the clock numbering, the two hands and the bells are black. The clock face background is white and the feet, bell hammer and cloack handle are silver. Next to the clock, and still ontop of the closed laptop, are 5 wooden square tiles stood up so you can see the flat face of each tile. Each of these has a single capital letter on them, spelling out the word Start. The text reads: "The beginning is the half of every action." (Greek proverb)

Today’s quote to begin the week is actually a proverb:

“The beginning is the half of every action,” (Greek proverb)

In the realm of coaching, beginnings hold a unique significance. They mark the inception of transformation, the genesis of growth, and the initiation of a journey towards self-discovery. As coaches, we are entrusted with the profound responsibility of guiding our clients through the pivotal act of commencement, where aspirations converge with action.

The essence of this proverb lies not merely in its brevity, but in its profound implications for our coaching practice. It serves as a poignant reminder of the transformative power inherent in the act of initiation. For every action undertaken, whether personal or professional, the journey begins with that crucial first step. It is the moment when dreams are crystallized into tangible goals, and intentions are transmuted into action plans or identifying what the next step will be.

As coaches, we are often confronted with clients who stand at the precipice of change, teetering on the brink of uncertainty and possibility. In these moments, our role transcends that of mere facilitators; we become catalysts for transformation, guiding our clients through the labyrinth of self-discovery and empowerment. The proverb challenges us to embrace the potency of beginnings, to recognize that the seeds of greatness are sown in the fertile soil of new beginnings.

I suspect that there will be an element of your own personal coaching style and a sense of what each individual client will respond to when it comes to how you encourage a client to start. If a client appears to be struggling taking a first step, two things often occur to me – 1) Is this actually something they want? 2) What’s stopping them? – Are they just overwhelming themselves with thinking they need to have the whole plan decided upon rather than just a first step (notice a first step, not the first step)

At the heart of most coaching journeys lies the willingness to confront the unknown, to venture into uncharted territories. It is here, in the crucible of uncertainty, that true growth and transformation occur. As coaches, we must inspire our clients to embrace any inherent discomfort of beginnings, to see it not as a barrier but as a gateway to new possibilities.

When I read the proverb one of the first questions I pondered was if that’s half of every action what goes into the other half? The answer I came up with is that there can be variables at play, willingness, determination, resilience, consistency and momentum were all aspects that occured to me – what else would you add into that mix?

It also occured to me that beginning does not have to be about starting a brand new project, it can be about the approach to a next stage of an existing project or even bringing a new approach to an existing area.

The Greek proverb serves as a poignant reminder of the transformative power inherent in beginnings. It challenges us to embrace the journey with courage and conviction, to recognize that every step taken brings us closer to realizing our true potential. As coaches, let us stand at the threshold of possibility with our clients, ready to embark on a journey of growth, discovery, and transformation. So I will leave you this Monday with the question – What are you going to begin at the start of this new week? A new book? A new invitation to experience your coaching? A new personal goal? Or will it be a new approach to an existing project?

About Jen Waller

Jen Waller

Jen Waller is on a mission to support, nurture and encourage coaching skills and talents from non-coach to coach and beyond.

As an experienced coach and trainer Jen is happy to utilise all skills at her disposal to assist clients from getting out of their own way and making a difference in the world with their coaching. Find out more about the support Jen offers here.

Coaching and motivating clients, part two 1

 in Coaching  tagged accountability / action / business coach / business coaching / career coaching / challenge / coach / coaches / coaching / coaching content / coaching courses / coaching qualifications / coaching session / coaching skills / coaching techniques / commitment / desire / executive coach / fun / goal / homework / leadership coaching / life coach / life coaches / life coaching / momentum / motivation / performance coaching / personal development / resource / words

This is the second of two coaching posts with some pointers if you get “stuck” motivating a client.

Last week’s coaching post “Coaching and motivating clients, part one” talked about who was asking about motivation, asked what motivation means and assisting your client to tap into their natural desire.

Notice the impact of your words

Often as a coach, when the question of motivation comes up, you are looking for your client to take some action. Aid that physical movement by adding a sense of “movement” and momentum in the language you use in your conversation and questions.

My high school English teacher would no doubt shake his head in despair at the following but this is not a post designed to give linguistic labels and detailed explanations.

This section is not only here to get you to move once, it’s here to get you moving.

Adding “ing” to a word often gives a greater sense of movement and momentum so can assist your client to find answers and actions that will help them to turn that momentum into reality.

For example, you can get different answers and responses to using the word “motivated” compared to “motivating.”

Commitment and accountability

Inviting your client to make a commitment and the accountability that this brings can make it much easier for a client to complete a task. You may even argue that it can make it less easy for them to put it off until tomorrow and it never getting done.

Sure, depending on your client, they may still put it off to the last minute and only do it in the immediate hours before your next session but that is still likely to be more than they had done before.

Personally I like to invite clients to agree a specific time and drop me an email between sessions to confirm that they have taken that action. It has been known for specific clients to request that if I don’t hear from them to chase them up with my own email.

I’m aware that not every coach will be willing to offer that as an option. This works for me because of the way I structure my coaching practice as I have built in priority email contact for clients in my coaching packages.

I’m also comfortable providing that accountability as I always phrase it as an invitation, giving the option for the client to decline. This means that the extra accountability is the clients by their own choice.

Just do it

Sometimes, some clients will get so caught up in wanting to explore the why and thinking there is something deeply wrong with them. In reality all that has happened is that they haven’t made taking that action a priority. They have done something else in the time that they could have done this action.

Now there may, or may not, have been good reason to have prioritised something else instead. Regardless of the “cause” the reality is still the same the action/task is still to be completed.

Question for the coach: What would have to happen to make completing this a priority for this client?

Sometimes a really effective strategy can be to get the client to complete a task right then and there. This will obviously depend upon the client, the situation and what they wanted to get from the session.

For example, if they wanted to get motivation to make an appointment they had been putting off, invite them to make the call during the session.

You may not think of this as “traditional” coaching but it moves the client forward quickly and your client will not be concerned that you assisted them using something that isn’t likely to be in “coaching 101”.

Homework

This doesn’t mean overwhelm them with action steps as this can lead to them stopping again. It does mean that you can use “homework” to assist your client to get momentum going by taking the next step once they have started.

Some clients will find taking a huge leap easier than just a small step so consider this when choosing/discussing homework, if any, for your client.
Questions to consider: “What is a really easy next step to take?”
“What would be a fun next step to take?”

Challenge your client

If you have a client who has committed to take action, you’ve done everything you can think of to facilitate that and yet they repeatedly have not taken that action, there is probably something else going on. Don’t be afraid to share what you have observed.

Your role is there to assist them to get value from your work together however it’s a two way relationship, they can’t just be passive. For some clients, in some instances, challenging your client can provide the avenue that your client needs to share what is going on for them.

Sometimes it can reveal an obstacle that for some reason your client hasn’t shared with you.

On other occasions (usually in situations when they are not paying for the coaching themselves) they may not see the value of coaching. For example, in a business when they have been told they “have” to attend your coaching session. This can give you the opportunity to have a conversation about the value they want to get and explore how you can go about providing that.

Note:

I’m also going to mention at this stage that I personally believe that not every single client is going to be a perfect fit for every single coach – and vica-versa. Also sometimes coaching may not be the ideal solution for a particular client at a particular time.

If you and your client decide that you’ve gone as far as you can with your coaching together that does not automatically mean that you are a terrible coach and should beat yourself up about it. Just like I’d say that there it does not mean that there is anything “wrong” with your client.  I suggest you learn what you can from working together and then move on.

These are just some of the things you could do and consider – what else would you add?

About the Author

Jen WallerJen Waller is on a mission to support, nurture and encourage coaching skills and talents from non-coach to coach and beyond.

She has created a free 7 day e-course about how to create your own unique coaching welcome pack that works for you and your clients. Get your copy here.

Coaching and motivating clients, part one 2

 in Coaching  tagged action / business coach / business coaching / career coaching / coach / coaches / coaching / coaching content / coaching courses / coaching qualifications / coaching session / coaching skills / coaching techniques / desire / executive coach / fun / goal / leadership coaching / life coach / life coaches / life coaching / momentum / motivation / performance coaching / personal development / resource

Last week’s coaching post was “What do you do if you get “stuck” in a coaching session?” This week I want to start to talk about a specific situation that may generate that feeling of being stuck – how to motivate a client.

Today’s post is in direct response to a request for “Statements to help motivate the client.” For reason’s I’ll explain in a moment I’m going to expand upon that request with the aim of providing some useful ways to move forward if you find yourself “stuck” and maybe even avoid it in the first place.

Even with just mentioning a few pointers, there is lots to be said so I am posting part one today with part 2 next Wednesday.

Over time you will develop your own coaching style, you will probably already have certain beliefs about what is a role of a coach. I reserve the right to be flexible about the roles that I take during a coaching session but one of the ones I personally often think of myself as is as a facilitator, or if you prefer a catalyst.

Which is why rather than just give a specific couple of questions or statements that you could learn like a script and recite I want to assist you to be able to produce your own and make a difference with each of your individual clients.

Is the client asking for help with motivation?

I ask not because I’m questioning your judgement as a coach, I ask because motivation is one of those things that can mean slightly different things to different people. It’s not like you can nip down to your local supermarket and buy a tin of motivation.

It’s so much easier for you as a coach to provide a service that delivers what your client is looking for, if you have a conversation about what that means to your client.

Question you may ask your client: “How will you know when this is motivating?”

As a coach, what are you looking to achieve by motivating your client?

I know that this can seem like an obvious question but there is a certain logic behind me asking this. Sometimes if you are stuck it can be because you are asking yourself a less than useful question. If “how can I motivate this client?” isn’t throwing up any useful answers let’s ask a different question – knowing what you want to achieve can open up a whole new range of questions for both you and your client.

Often coaches are looking for a way to assist a client to take action towards their goal. One way is to select a step that is really easy to take to get them started taking action – this is particularly useful if they are imaging a huge overwhelming task. For example, which appears easier – writing one chapter or a whole book?

Making the task seem more manageable can lead to your client taking action easily.

Look to add “fun” into the action – make it more pleasant to do. If a client is imagining that the next step will be as much fun as having a limb amputated with a blunt saw and no anaesthetic then they are not likely to be as keen to rush out and take action. If there is an enjoyment factor then it will be much easier for them to start taking action.

Questions that may be relevant to ask a client: “What would be an easy step to take?”

“How can that be even more fun?”

Assist your client to tap into their natural desire

Sometimes a client can get caught up in small detail and miss or lose sight of what they want to achieve. Assist your client by reconnecting them with that motivation so that they naturally have a desire to take action and move forward.

You may choose to ask them direct questions or use guided imagery about their final goal or completing the next stage. Remember that using a description that uses all senses will assist your client to envision something that is easier to connect with.

This is always easier if the “goal” you are working with is something that your client actually wants. Notice if you actually believe what your client is saying.

If you ever hear and see someone talk about something that they genuinely want and desire, there is a light in their eye and sound in their voice. If you are not hearing and seeing that you have the option to explore in more depth.

Next week we will talk about things such as the impact of words and commitment. Meanwhile if you want to share your own advice, or to ask questions feel free to do so below.

Read part two here.

About the Author

Jen WallerJen Waller is on a mission to support, nurture and encourage coaching skills and talents from non-coach to coach and beyond.

She has created a free 7 day e-course about how to create your own unique coaching welcome pack that works for you and your clients. Get your copy here.