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Self-coaching for a successful New Year

8 December 2007

Another year over and a new one just begun. As it is only early December this is not strictly true, but you understand the sentiment.

The great thing about the winter solstice break is that it gives us time to reflect on where we are going and to reinvigorate ourselves to meet the challenges ahead.

Too often we get caught up in the business to the extent that it is controlling us, rather than the other way round. This is 'you' time. It's allowed. Only you should decide where you want to be and how you are going to get there.

The following is a checklist of questions. It is not an exhaustive list, so feel free to throw in a few more along the same lines. Now is the time to challenge yourself about what you want to do and if you really want to do it. Do you want to grow your business? Do you want to offer more to your clients and provide an all-round advice service? Are you inhibited in any way or are they just excuses?

Take Action

Find a place free from distraction, pour a glass of your favourite drink, put on music by your favourite artiste and write down the answers. Writing them down is the first step towards commitment. As with any self-test, the result will depend on the honesty with you which you answer the questions.

The questions are based on the GROW model pioneered by the coaching guru, Sir John Whitmore.

Goals

• What do you want to achieve in 2008?
• What do you want from the business?
• What will success look like to you?
• How will you feel when you have achieved your goals?
• What would you like people to say about you when you have achieved your goals?

Reality

• How does this vision of success compare to the past 2 years?
• What needs to be different?
• What has stopped you from doing this before?
• What resources will you need to make this happen?
• What steps have you taken so far?
• Who or what will influence the outcome?
• How important is this goal to you?
• How committed are you?
• Who will you share these goals with?

Options

• What are the different ways in which to make this happen?
• What else can you do?
• Which actions will give the best results?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of each option?
• Which feel best for you and the way you are and do things?

Will

• Which options will you choose?
• What priority will you give to each?
• How will you measure the success of each action?
• When exactly will you start each action?
• What support will you need?
• How will you keep on track?
• On a scale of 1 - 10, how committed are you to taking these actions?
• What stops it from being a 10?
• What are the consequences of not taking these actions?
• How would you feel about this?

One of the questions is, 'What support will you need?' The answer might include having someone to challenge and encourage you throughout the reflective and planning process. My advice to you is to find a mentor. Our network has a team of Member Services Managers who are trained business consultants and ideally placed to support members in this way.

A goal without action is just a dream and action without a goal is just playing.

Have a very successful 2008.

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