branching out

What challenges are ahead that make you uncomfortable? An exam? A workshop? A public speech? A hard conversation with someone (even a client!) that you’ve put off because you know it’s going to be confrontational?

Exercise

Pick one situation, and imagine the best-case outcome. What has opened up from here? What’s possible from this perspective that wasn’t before? Visualize it, set your intentions, and go!

Make a list of expectations you hold, both of yourself and of your clients. Which ones are reasonable? Which aren’t? As you reflect on this list, pick out the ones that are not realistic and re-tool each one in a way that takes into account the responsibilities, needs, and abilities you (or your clients) have.

Inquiry

What’s available to me as I shift my perspective to align with this new list?

Exercise

When a goal involves lots of big leaps, chunk it down and go to town! Determine one professional goal and write down what steps are involved to get there.

Inquiry

What step could I take this week that would give me a sense of progress and move me toward my goal?

Ants know their job and are relentless at getting it done! Obstacles are just not an option- they’ll keep digging, take detours, whatever it takes to get as much work possible completed. They don’t know the meaning of “can’t.”

Inquiry

Where in my life will the “ant mentality” serve me? What changes do I want to implement to adopt this perspective?

Imagine the mountains you’d like to “move” in your life. What’s behind each one? Spend ten minutes in meditation, then journal your thoughts. How can you bring in the metaphor of “moving mountains” into your coaching this week?

Inquiry

What risks am I willing to take so that I tap into my power to “move mountains?”

Envision what you want in your life as a coach. Now flesh out the picture. The sharper the image, the better results you will achieve!

Inquiry

How does knowing exactly what I want attract it to me? How can this exercise serve me in building my business?

Inquiry

What opportunities are calling you? Some of them may look like closed doors, but they may be waiting for your knock – and who knows what’s on the other side? Perhaps a new ally, business opportunity or client?

Request

Make a list of both “open” and “closed” doors that you see in your life, each in their own column. Each week, pick one from each column and find out what’s on the other side. For some, this might involve simply walking through and saying hello; for others you may have to look for a bell-rope, doorbell or knocker!

Take a 20 minute power walk and come up with some “power” steps you need to take to bring your coaching and your practice to the next level. For what goals do you want to be accountable in the next 3 months?

Challenge

Tell at least 20 people about your plan to take your coaching to the next level in the next quarter!