Goal setting is key.
A goal without a date set for it is only a dream. Many of us have things we want to do, and keep telling ourselves “someday I’ll do that!” As a coach, my job is to turn “someday” into “today.” As a coach, I employ the S.M.A.R.T. method of goal setting, a research based and highly successful method of goal setting that relies on specificity, relevance, measurability, attainability and timing to help you set better goals. As a coach, I love utilizing this method in my practice because it can make a giant years- long goal feel within reach.
Positive, uplifting accountability.
Most of us have a negative relationship with accountability. When we’re kids, accountability usually means being punished by a parent or teacher when we’ve done something wrong. And that usually doesn’t change much (and becomes a lot more complicated!) when we reach adulthood and are held accountable to the law, our jobs, and our families. As a coach, I turn this punitive accountability on its head. I always hold my clients accountable to whatever goals and action steps we set in session, because I believe that holding clients accountable can be a big source of motivation. In my practice, accountability is never judgmental or punitive; only uplifting and empowering.
My method
The most common question I’m asked about coaching is: “what exactly do life coaches do?” It’s my favorite question to receive, because it gives me an opportunity to share what makes the coaching method so great.
Life coaches are agents of change. We believe all our clients are hard working, whole, ingenious individuals (even if they don’t think that about themselves!) who have all the tools, knowledge and skills needed to achieve their goals. Our job is to help them discover how brilliant they are, and help them unlock an unlimited, affirming, and uplifting mindset. If Elon Musk had your bank account, he would still build a rocket. My role as a coach is to empower my clients to build their own rockets!
It all starts with a shift in mindset.
The one thing that holds us back in life the most from achieving our dreams is not our circumstances, it’s ourselves. Most of us hold limiting beliefs about ourselves that keep us from making progress. We all have that pesky little voice inside our heads that says “If you try this, it won’t work. You’re not qualified to do this. You don’t know how to do this.” Listening to his overly critical voice stops us from making the changes we want with our lives. As a coach, my job is to help my clients figure out what they want to believe about themselves. Do you want to believe that you are incapable, or unlimited? The real progress always starts there.
How does the Balance Builder program work?
The first four weeks of the program are dedicated to mindset work. After that, the client spends four weeks implementing healthy boundaries with themselves, their clients and colleagues. The last four weeks are dedicated to structuring a healthy support system both at work, and outside of it.
This program works because systemically, therapists are not empowered to set boundaries or receive support, which is why so many therapists experience high rates of burnout and work- life imbalance. The program is designed to combat these issues head- on.
On top of that, the program includes weekly one- on- one sessions with me. So if a client has specific challenges that make it hard for them to implement these changes, I am here to support them, and help them find an effective solution.
Why is coaching so effective?
Companies spend tens of thousands of dollars on consultants, only to see no significant results. This is often because solutions created by someone on the outside are not as effective as solutions thought up by someone within the company itself. This applies to coaching clients as well. In the coaching relationship, the client is the expert. The solutions, goals and strategies we implement are created by the client. As a coach, my job is not to tell clients how to solve their problems. It’s to give them the structure and support they need to solve those problems themselves. This is what makes the coaching method an empowering one.
What does the research say?
The coaching method I implement in my practice is backed up by decades of research. Research from BMC Psychology has found that among students, Life Coaching decreased symptoms of depression and anxiety, and resulted in better rates of self- acceptance and resilience.* Many other studies have found similar results- that coaching simply works. The SMART method of goal setting has demonstrated incredible results. It empowers people to set specific, measurable and attainable goals without feeling stressed or overwhelmed. And this is only the beginning of the research that backs up the coaching method.
* See bottom of the page for specific studies on coaching if you’re curious!
The Coaching Process
The coaching relationship begins with a 15- minute intake phone call. It’s as simple as that. During this call, we will establish what your goals are, whether the Balance Builder program is a good fit for you. From there, we’ll sign a coaching agreement and get to work.
Curious about the research on coaching? Check these out:
Aboalshamat, K., Al-Zaidi, D., Jawa, D. et al. The effect of life coaching on psychological distress among dental students: interventional study. BMC Psychol 8, 106 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-020-00475-5
NSLS: Goal Setting Techniques and Strategies You Can Use Now For Future Success. https://www.nsls.org/goal-setting-techniques