Coaching tips
For information about what coaching is and how it works please see FAQs .
Many of the ideas and tips below have come from fellow coaches or emerged from coaching my clients, to whom I am very grateful!
Tip of the Month — Changing Your Career
If you are dissatisfied in your current work and looking to make a change, start by asking yourself what you like or enjoy about your current or past roles. Include the work itself, people/colleagues, environment, underlying purpose and daily activities. Use this to start developing a ‘blueprint’ for the work you want.
Tip No. 2 — See People!
Research shows that the Number 1 way of increasing our happiness is by having more social contact. So take five minutes right now to plan how you can see more friends or have more social time in the coming month. What might you need to let go of so you have the time?
Tip No. 3 — One Small Thing
If you’re feeling over-whelmed with jobs to do, ask yourself what small task would make you feel loads better, perhaps something that’s been bugging you for ages. Commit to doing just that one thing this week and decide when you will do it.
Tip No. 4 — Be grateful
We rarely stop to appreciate the positive things in our lives. Research shows that doing so increases our well-being and happiness enormously. Keep a small notebook by your bed and each night before you go to sleep write down all the people or things you are grateful to from your day. And look for opportunities to express that gratitude.
Tip No. 5 — Knock-On Effects
If you want to make changes in your life (eg getting fit, changing jobs) consider the effects on your life and other people. How will it impact on your family? Where will the time come from? Include this in your planning.
Tip No. 6 — Just Half an Hour…
How much time do you spend focusing on the really important questions in your life? This month, promise yourself that you will spend just half an hour a week of ‘quality time’ thinking about what really matters: imagine what a difference that could make…
Tip No. 7 — Switch off, Switch On!
Ask yourself what you do regularly that feels like a waste of time or gets you down. Perhaps it’s late-night TV or seeing someone from habit. Make a list of all the things you’d rather be doing instead. What could you do differently this week?
Tip No. 8 — De-clutter
De-clutter your life and home at least twice a year. If you haven’t used it for a year – throw it out or pass it on (charity shops will love you).
Tip No. 9 — Value your Achievements
Start a special notebook — some people call it their ‘Well Done Me!’ book. Every night before you sleep write down the things you have accomplished that day or things you remember from the past where you did good. These can be small or big, anything from ‘raised my children well’ to ‘cleared the pile of paperwork on my desk’. Like most things, you have to do this to really appreciate its impact.