“If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble you wouldn’t sit for a month” Theodore Roosevelt.
Not sure about anyone else yet I have felt the kick, been kicked (in a respectful way) my fair share over the years and I am happy to say I am spending more time cycling, running, walking and sitting on my own terms rather than because it’s too painful!!
Through conversations a coach approach is a powerful tool to help shift from what we want less of to what we want more of. Coaching should provide the space to explore the options that will allow us to move toward that which we want more of. So here’s a personal example to help illustrate the power of the shift in movement:
A while ago I wanted more balance to my work/life routines so that I could create more dedicated time to train to raise money for the causes I believe in. My coach challenged me to think about taking time for myself? It started with some questions as follows:
- What would it be like if you made the ideal plan for yourself?
- How does that make you feel?
- What does it cost you when you don’t listen to your body?
- What is one thing that stands in your way?
- How often do you take time just for you?
- Who do you need to support you to get started?
- When will you begin?
The ideas began surfacing through the conversation and the questions from my coach. In the end after a couple of coaching conversations we had a realistic plan for moving toward a more sustainable and productive work/life balance. How often did I request my athletes or coachee in the past and present to monitor their rest and recovery after a period of intense training. The question I had to ask myself and looking inward was: Why do I not apply the same rules, planning, or science to myself? I needed to figure out when it was okay for me to be important. I needed to look after me so I could be who I wanted to be for the life/work alignment I designed. The plan started with establishing some goals and objectives:
- 15 minutes a day just for me. A walk, spin on my bike, a run play with the dog. It was up to me.
- Letting go of feeling guilty if I stepped away from work in the day to do this.
The success of this has completely integrated into how I work and the corresponding increase in productivity. Today I am in a position to take a couple of hours periodically and not feel guilty to train or read or run the dog. To be able to step away and be okay with it has been a gift that I can share with those I meet and speak with. Ask yourself, what do you want more of and / or what do you want less of? The results may surprise you?
I now enjoy kicking my own butt and am proud to say sitting down is no longer a painful exercise!!