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3 Things That Stand in the Way of Coaching

by with No Comment Podcast

People may agree in theory that coaching is great but run into practical problems along the way. Three of these problems involve perceived value, resistance to feedback, and failure to follow through. Be aware of these typical hurdles and be ready to overcome them when you decide to invest in coaching.

Getting excited about coaching is the first step to finding a great coach and shortening your learning curve, but some hurdles often stand in the way of getting coaching. Hurdles like:

  • Not perceiving value
  • Resisting coaching
  • Not following through

These three mindset hurdles make it hard to get great coaching even if you know deep down you will benefit. Let’s take a look at them and how to overcome them.

Does coaching have value? You may easily agree that the concept of coaching has value, but you may resist paying for it. Many people don’t want to invest more than the minimum amount of time, energy, and money into coaching. This translates to their perception of the value the coaching brings. People who don’t want to invest in their coaching don’t generally see results. Likewise, people who expect gold star services for free or low rates tend to get less out of coaching.

If you are new to coaching, start small with a low investment of time, energy and money, but be prepared to increase each of these over time. There is only so much time, energy, and resources a coach will give you without you making a bigger investment yourself.

What you resist, persists. People who fail to benefit from coaching tend to resist it. They aren’t open-minded to hearing critical feedback or have mindset issues that keep them from getting past the resistance to taking action. The resistance causes a lack of results. And. if you’re not careful, you can end up blaming the coaching for your lack of payoff when it’s actually your fault.

Go into engagement with the intent to get the most out of coaching so you can see the results you want. If you take the time to hire a coach, you’ve got to be willing to do the work. Sometimes it’s encouragement to take a risk; sometimes, it’s answering difficult questions to help you reflect on your actions. Be willing and ready to be open-minded when working with your coach.

If you aren’t taking action, you won’t get any traction. Coaching is creating a game plan. Your coach can help you lay out a plan, but you’ve got to run with the ball. A lot of coaching relationships fail because people don’t follow through. You’ve got to be prepared to take action and follow through on the commitments you make to yourself at the end of each coaching session.

If you feel resistance when it comes to taking action, ask your coach for help. Avoiding them or stopping coaching short because you aren’t following through is a waste. Be ready, willing, and able to take action and follow through on what the coach suggests.

Everyone benefits from coaching. There’s no need to learn the hard way and take longer when there are qualified people ready, willing, and able to coach you. The key is finding a great coach and getting past the resistance to action.

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Feeling Unproductive? You’re Not Alone

by with No Comment Podcast

Many of us live in a culture that glorifies busyness. Feeling unproductive has no space and there’s a lot of pressure to be productive. This can be a relative term because one person’s productivity could look like another’s laziness. Most of the time, productivity is a standard we’ve created in our minds based on what it takes to make us feel confident we’ve used our time wisely.

Feeling Unproductive?  

You’re not alone if you’ve been in a slump or feeling stuck. Everyone goes through seasons of life when they feel unproductive. It’s normal. Some of the common reasons people feel stuck and unproductive are:

  • Boredom
  • Overwhelm
  • Loneliness
  • Anxiety/fear

Many of these are because of seasons of life or situations that change over time. The good news is that tackling some factors associated with why you feel unproductive can help flip the switch to more productivity and general satisfaction.

Is boredom making you unproductive? Sometimes we go through seasons of life when we feel stuck. Perhaps we aren’t happy with our job, our workplace relationships, or some other aspects of our jobs. Not having anything to look forward to or engaging in the same activities of life day in and day out can create a sense of boredom and lack of interest.

Are you overwhelmed to the point of doing nothing? When we are overburdened, it can feel overwhelming. Instead of crushing our to-do list, we stare at it blankly. Sometimes our minds override our instincts to get things done and keep us on the couch scrolling through social media instead. When we are overwhelmed, it can be harder to prioritize tasks and see things through to completion.

Can loneliness affect productivity? It sure can! People who have a strong sense of community are more energetic and productive. Loneliness can affect our optimism, energy levels, and productivity. Since loneliness can contribute to depression and destructive habits, it can have a ripple effect on confidence and interest in getting things done.

Will fear derail your productivity? Fear is a powerful motivator. It can drive us to do things or not do things. Fear and anxiety contribute to failing to take action. Whether it’s fear of the unknown, imposter syndrome, or associated anxiety about tasks, being afraid can easily derail productivity.

If you’ve been feeling unproductive, don’t worry. You’re not alone. It’s natural to go through seasons where you don’t feel productive. As you solve problems, find motivation, and get things back on track, you will feel more productive and in control.