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What works well for you when it comes to bringing ideas
to fruition? Setting goals and working toward them
is often a matter of getting very specific with
ourselves about what exactly we want to accomplish.
As a life skills coach, I coach clients through
the stages of goal-setting and achievement every day.
The acronym DARN can help in preparing for goal setting
about activities and projects we want to accomplish.
DESIRE starts us on developing goals:
- I'd like to eat healthier
- I wish I could get myself to exercise more
- I want to finish more projects
ABILITY is reflected in statements like:
- I could cut back on new commitments at work
- I can quit drinking
- I know I can get to work on time
REASONS involve specific ways we convince
ourselves
to change:
- I would have more energy if I worked out more
- If I meditate I will not be so stressed out
- Taking the public speaking class will help me get over
my anxiety
NEED convinces us to move toward action:
- I really have to work less hours
- It's important I deal with my blood pressure problem
- I've got to cut back on the alcohol
These are all good thoughts and statements to make in
preparing for change. And very useful life skills
to develop.
However, unless we begin to think and talk to others in
terms of "I will/ intend/ commit to" we are unlikely to
get propelled forward in our life or work.
We all are ambivalent about changing habits and
behaviors. You know it's good for you, but you don't do
it! --Sound familiar?
Here are some ideas about ways you can get better
acquainted with your ambivalence, so you can outwit
yourself and make the changes you desire.
The latest research on how people build up momentum for
change shows that we go through a series of decision
steps. Keeping our awareness about these steps can
help us to get through them when we feel like quitting.
It is easy to slip back onto automatic pilot and lose
our awareness about what sort of change we wanted to
create. Language and choice of words can be a
surprisingly powerful factor in staying on track. Words
like "I will", "I intend", "I commit," are much more
powerful than "I'd like to, hope to, or wish I could."
Continued on page 2 --
life change
coaching through goal-setting.
Life Skills Coaching Articles by
Kate McNulty
Relationship Advice Coaching -- Boundaries and Dating
Relationship Counseling -- Using Conflict to Build
Closer Relationships
Personal Coach for a Woman -- Appreciation of the Body in
Everyday Life
Notes
from a Portland Oregon Career Coach
Leadership Executive Coaching
Business
Entrepreneur Coaching
Presentation
Coaching
Personal Growth
Coach on Getting Rid of Fear of Risk
Life Change Coaching
- Goal-Setting Part II
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