Don’t be scared by my title of Discipline Coach if all you really want is a Life Coach.
I use life coaching skills as the foundation of helping people. You could say that I always operate as a life coach before I add any elements of discipline, so I’ll refer to myself simply as a ‘coach’ in this article.
For those with an inbuilt need for discipline, my discipline training is the icing on the cake of life coaching. You can take it or leave it, depending on your tastes.
Life coaching with a topping of discipline…anyone?
For some, my discipline training is the icing on the cake…
However, the cake is delicious and substantial on its own. Let’s not forget how good the cake is!
Practical
I’m the type of coach who is practical and action-based. I love to solve problems and find better ways to do things. That’s just how I am. I will help you to make shifts in mindset and habits, but I won’t have you meditating for hours or repeating mantras like a parrot. I tend to avoid the fluffy stuff of coaching by digging right into the juicy parts and helping you in whatever way seems most efficient for getting results.
My Favourite Coaching Areas
Every coach tends to find a niche where they can best help people. My niche is discipline, of course, but it doesn’t stop there. I have spent over 10 years helping men and woman get results in these areas:
- Weight management and nutrition
- Fitness and movement
- Sleep hygiene
- Stress management
- Intimate relationships
- Sex and kink-related issues
- Productivity
- Personal development
When you work with me, you should know that I have amassed years of knowledge in the above areas of wellness and I am passionate about improving your quality of life with various hacks, habits and mindset shifts.
Why Have Multiple Sessions?
Goal Preparedness
You may not be in the habit of working towards goals, especially personal goals. It takes conscious effort to make big changes in your life, especially at the beginning. Weekly coaching will support you through the hardest part of the process.
I will provide the feedback, new ideas and emotional support you’ll need to gain traction and help you work towards your goals, week by week.
In your first month, there will be more than one opportunity to speak with me and take action between sessions. It’s possible to reach a goal during this month that has taken years to attempt on your own.
Implementation
Implementation (taking action) is an important part of coaching. Without implementation, you’re merely sitting on a pile of good ideas that will soon evaporate. I will check in with you each week to make sure that you are taking action and turning those good ideas into tangible results.
After The First Month
Once you’re making progress and keeping up your momentum, you may wish to change your coaching program from a weekly schedule to sessions that occur every two to four weeks. It depends on the level of support you require and the goals you are aiming for. Your program is negotiable after you complete your initial month.
My Style
As a coach, I may use either a client-centered approach or a coach-centered approach, depending on what you prefer and what we are working on. I will always be clear about which approach I am taking as I have no wish to disempower a person (unless that is what they want).
I’ll explain the two approaches below…
1: The Client-Centered Approach
This is the sensitive way of working with people. It means that I will ask you what YOU want, what you prefer to try, and how you think you will get it done. It means that I am not prescriptive. I won’t tell you what to do. I won’t assume that I know what is best for you.
I will ask you questions to gauge how you are doing. I won’t assume anything. Instead, I will ask for your input as we form your action plan. Your self-awareness and confidence will grow as you learn to express what’s best for you.
I will have unconditional positive regard for you. You won’t be judged by me. I will accept you as you are. Human. Like me.
I will do my best to understand who you are and what makes you tick. Do you like the ‘what’ in life? Are you a questioner? Do you need connection? I will apply that knowledge to better communicate with you.
2: The Coach-Centered Approach
This is the traditional ‘I’m in charge here and I know best, so do what I say’ approach. It was the customary approach for the school headmaster or teacher, the doctor or anyone in a position to be advising another. It is how military superiors traditionally operate. This traditional approach is the opposite of the client-centered approach and it is how some coaches used to operate. These days, it is out of favour, as it does not empower people to learn, nor to grow confidence in their own abilities.
With the coach-centered approach, you would be given a list of instructions to follow without checking whether those instructions apply to your particular circumstances. The traditional coach expects that what works for everyone will work for you. It’s a one-size-fits-all, prescriptive way of forcing change onto someone.
Are you reading this with a sad feeling that those days are over? You may be someone who would benefit from this approach. Some people have to make decisions all day. They don’t want to have to think or to make one more decision. They trust in experts to give them good advice and that’s what they pay them for.
If you are this sort of person, I will take the traditional approach with you when requested. I will tell you exactly what to do and when to do it. I will expect you to do as I say.
A Blend of Both Approaches
A blend of both approaches may be an attractive idea to you. You might like the prescriptive treatment when it comes to your fitness goals and the more sensitive approach when it comes to your relationship. When I operate as a discipline coach with you, you could expect either approach.
Be assured that your needs and preferences will be taken into account. After that, we will move forward in the coaching relationship with a mutual understanding of what to expect.
What’s the Actual Coaching Experience?
Right now, you’re probably thinking that coaching of some sort would be helpful for where you are right now, but are you also wondering what goes on in a typical session with me?
Where We Start
It’s simple. We talk. I’ll ask questions to learn more about your current situation and any issues you are facing. I’ll want an idea of where you are right now. I don’t want to know your entire life story or to find out about your family in great detail. Those are peripheral details. I want to know what frustrates you and what excites you. I want to know what you WANT from life in the future.
The Gap
There is always a gap between where you are and where you want to get to. Your gap might seem like a mighty chasm right now, but everything is work-out-able. Don’t sweat it. We start by identifying that gap and exploring how it will look on the other side.
Your Future Memory
We will create your future memory, which is your ultimate destination and includes all that you wish to achieve. Your future memory will shape your goals and it will inspire you to keep striving for that outcome.
Goals
Once we have a picture of your future in mind, we will know what goals to set. They are like guideposts that point towards your future memory. They will be specific and measurable and will get you from one point to another. The more goals you tick off, the closer you will get to your future memory.
The Bridge
It’s my job to help you bridge the gap between where you are now, and where you want to be in future. I’ll use every tool in my coaching toolbox to help you. We will examine how your thoughts are either supporting your progress or obstructing it and you’ll learn new ways of thinking and of staying motivated. You’ll also create new habits and learn how to maintain them so that lasting change is achieved.
Action Steps
You will identify and commit to specific action steps. These actions make up the ‘bridge’ to help you cross that gap towards your goals and your ideal future. You and I will be in complete agreement about how you will be kept on track with these commitments.
Accountability
The name of the game is accountability. To me. Your coach. I’ll get you moving when you’re stuck. I’ll make sure you don’t give up on yourself. I’ll be disappointed in you when you make a poor show of things and I’ll be pleased when you do your best. You’ll have no choice but to achieve your goals because I’ll be right there checking in on you.
Your Thoughts
With each session, I will ask how you went, what you learned, and what needs to be done next. As your coach, I’ll be listening carefully and I’ll call your attention to any limiting thought patterns that I notice. We will work on your thoughts to support your progress, for they are just as important as your actions.
Celebration
When you succeed, I will be there to cheer you on. I believe that celebration of your efforts and achievements is as important as accountability. You will not be alone as you tackle the big stuff. Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone acknowledge the things you attempt as well as the things you do really well?
Fast-track Your Progress
Whether you have a bold, heart-stopping, ambitious goal to reach, or merely a stumbling block you can’t seem to conquer on your own, working with a coach is how you can fast-track the process. A coach helps you clear the way of obstacles, procrastination and excuses. You will become more efficient, organised and focused. You’ll have clarity and intention. You’ll be one of those people who has goals and who prioritises things in life so that they get ahead. Yes, that could be you!
