• I’m too busy
• Who would look after the kids?
• I can’t afford it
• It’s too risky
• My partner wouldn’t approve
• I’ve never done it before
• I don’t know how
• I failed last time
• Christmas is here and I’m too busy

There are always lots of reasons why you didn’t do something you promised you would. These are called barriers or blocks. The great thing about coaching is that its goal focused. So although we may look at why you haven’t done things, we won’t focus on what went wrong but how we can overcome these problems and barriers the next time. As we break down each block you’ll become aware of how easy your goal really is and that the only thing that was truely getting in your way was YOU!

Often I work with clients that are incredibly talented at speaking negativity. When we first start working together it never ceases to amaze me how clients can put a negative spin on almost anything.

Teaching my clients to rephrase sentences in a positive way is often the first step to self improvement. Allowing yourself to work towards something positive rather than away from something negative.

One way to refocus your attention in a positive way is to consider first what will you gain from working towards and achieving your goal.

“I want to stop smoking” becomes “I’m going to be more healthy and smoke free”
“I want to loose 10lbs” becomes “In ten weeks I’ll be able to fit into my expensive jeans again”

This type of rephrasing takes time. Most people have been negatively phrasing things for years and it’s not possible to just flick a switch. Becoming aware of it is the first step, learning to rephrase is the second. Finally you’ll find it becomes automatic.

Practise makes perfect!