Here are four reasons to consider why your inner coach deserves appreciation.
The best coaches are those who encourage us, teach us, provide examples of top performance, model excellence in all areas of life and make sure we are taking good care of ourselves. The coaches I have admired most are those who see us as winners and are relentless about shaping us into the best we can be. This Valentine’s Day, as you are sending love to the special ones in your life, are you counting your inner coach as one of those? Here are four reasons to consider why your inner coach deserves appreciation.
Is Your Inner Coach Challenging You?
If you are thinking that life is pretty good, are there areas that could be even better? With time as our most precious resource, a good coach recognizes that in order to allow better into our lives, we have to make some space. Leaving the land of Pretty Good to move into the place of Even Better takes moxie, courage and self-confidence. Is your inner coach reminding you of the times when you’ve trusted yourself to go all in for what you really wanted and encouraging you to boldy move forward?
Is Your Inner Coach Identifying Resources for Your Next Endeavor?
Visioning sessions are a kick, but without an action plan, they remain in the dream realm. What is it you need that takes you to Even Better? Is it education, a license or a certificate? More stamina? Reliable transportation? An updated wardrobe? A mentor who already resides in the land of Even Better? Great coaches won’t let you settle in the land of Pretty Good. They will identify what’s standing in your way and line up classes, routines and experts to help get you there.
Is Your Inner Coach Pointing Out that Performance Counts on the High Road?
Perhaps you’ve noticed: Phonies, thieves and hypocrites don’t last long on the high road. In 1980, Billy Joel introduced us to the new fashion of “looks and a whole lot of money,” but today’s style is all about authenticity and excellence. There are no shortcuts on the high road. Trust me, I’ve looked. A good coach will remind you to put in the work to identify what your most authentic, best self looks like and then practice being that person of excellence like you’re training for the race of your life – which, of course, you are. What we practice determines how we will perform when it matters most. And it always matters most.
Is Your Inner Coach Reminding You to Take Care of Yourself?
I don’t know about you, but I often suspect that my mom is hanging out with my inner coach. “Bonnie, your body is not a machine. It needs rest.” But if you prefer to listen to someone other than my mom, here’s what research has found from studies on those people living long, happy lives in the world’s Blue Zones: Stay active, eat your vegetables, have a strong sense of purpose, prioritize social connections and manage stress by engaging in daily rituals – yes, Mom, I heard – like rest.
As much as we may sometimes want to push back, that inner coach has a game plan and a practice schedule to take us to Even Better. This month, while we’re honoring Valentine’s Day and thinking sweet thoughts, let’s show our inner coach some love by sending a big heart-shaped wave of gratitude in a quiet, meditative moment. Flowers and chocolate are good, too. FBN
By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN
Bonnie Stevens is the editor of FBN. She is a career journalist and public relations consultant. She can be reached at bonnie.stevens@gmail.com.