Your client is hesitant to set goals in sessions. How can you guide them towards progress?

I often tell the story that exemplifies the value of written goals/intentions. Harvard did a study on their own graduates. 96% of graduates did not write their intention, the 4% who did write their intentions achieved 96% of them. In contrast the 96% who did not write their intentions achieved 4% of their intentions! Very powerful motivator! I teach people how to write effective Intention Processes.

Como coach pienso que, las preguntas poderosas juegan un papel crucial a la hora de abrir un espacio que genere reflexión para una verdadera toma de consciencia que aúne en la construcción de ese objetivo anhelado y que ha sido trazado. Reconocer miedos, creencias y patrones limitantes, y reemplazarlos por creencias y experiencias revitalizadoras, resignifican un proceso y generan un cambio de paradigma que irrumpe con las interpretaciones de la realidad tenidas previamente, lo cual conduce al coachee a derribar sus propias limitantes y comprometerse diariamente consigo mismo y su proceso, aun cuando sienta que los temores lo aquejan y experimente miedo de abrazar el cambio de abandonar a su antiguo yo.

It is important to create a roadmap with each client. This starts with where they are at the start of the process and where they want to be. I always create a long term vision in the first session - what and who do they want to be? The next stage is creating a vision for a best ever year along with KPIs for that vision. We then work backwards from there to reach smaller weekly and monthly targets. Keeping a client motivated towards achieving these goals comes down to two things: 1. Establishing Motivation - what is their why? 2. Measuring More Often - how are they growing and progressing towards their goals. Finally, it is crucial to apply emotion to their reviews. How do they feel about their progress?

Desde mi experiencia, el trabajar con un contrato de coaching con mi coachee me ha resultado muy efectivo. en él podemos fijar en principio todo lo concerniente a esta relación, incluida la meta por la cual solicita el acompañamiento. Lo ayudo a definir cuál es el lugar donde quiere llegar, en cuanto tiempo piensa llegar a su meta. Es una sesión de alineamiento, donde además ambas partes podemos ver si será posible trabajar juntos. También me sirve de apoyo en caso que observe algún desvío respecto de los objetivos que se ha planteado, el que reuerde el por qué de nuestras sesiones.

Some clients don't resonate with having a laundry list of "goals" they want to achieve. So meet the client where they are. Instead of talking about "goals," work with the client to narrow down which area(s) of their life they want to work on now (career, personal relationships, health, etc.). When you have an area to hone in on, ask the client what they want MORE OF in that area. (For example, "What do you want more of in your career?") That can give you additional threads to pull using coaching questions to help the client discover what's really important to them. You can then help the client to identify clear NEXT STEPS to make progress. And you two did it all without using the intimidating "goal" word!

A “to do” list can be intimidating, especially if it gets too long. There may be things on the list that the client isn’t ready for or has yet developed the ability to do. A couple strategies might include: - Don’t list more than 4 to 6 “to do” items at a time. - Only once you’ve completed one item can you add another that was not previously on the list. - Always ask: “By completing this item, what will I then be able to do that I could t before?” - Create a “to DONE” list right beside the “to DO” list so you can see what you’ve accomplished so far rather than what you haven’t yet. - When ordering your list, have it be a) progressive, one thing leading to the next, and b) have it build momentum from one task to the next.

Progress is not always BIG and BOLD! Sometimes it looks subtle and incremental. If setting big goals feels overwhelming, be gentle and start small. This approach minimizes the fear of failure and makes progress feel more manageable. It’s about making the process less daunting and more about experimenting with possibilities. HOW? ~Break down potential goals into small, actionable steps that are easy to achieve. ~Suggest trying out new activities or habits on a trial basis to see how they feel. ~Emphasize the value of progress over perfection, reassuring them that any step forward is a success. These small changes that keep up the momentum and motivation, will soon become too large to ignore :))

Expliquer que tout but est un chemin, et chaque pas est une victoire et les pauses sont des axes de réflexions. Quand une personne a besoin d 'un coach de vie, elle a déjà tpit en elle, nous ne sommes que des lanternes sur da route

It is important that your client set goals they want to achieve rather than ones they think they should reach. The best way to ensure this is to help your client identify their highest values, and then decide how they want to fulfill those values. From there it is easier for them to set goals/outcomes that they are motivated to achieve. If their goals are not aligned with their values they will struggle to achieve them.

Reflective practice is crucial to growth and development. I encourage clients to reflect daily, weekly and monthly. For daily reflection I ask them to focus on feelings, and to make their reflection as concise as possible - one or two sentences. On a weekly basis I ask them to check the progress of their targets. Once a month we look at their annual plan and track progress on software - The Curve - before setting goals for the next month.

I find that clarifying my clients' vision is more important than the immediate setting of goals. I ease them into visualizing how they want to feel in their lives. What does success mean to them? Who is there with them? Often, when we get them to a relaxed state and visualizing whatever success means to them, the goals just fall out. Then we choose some to start delineating further.

I encourage reflection regularly, but also be mindful to not fall into rumination. Clients can spend too much time reflecting on what they DIDN’T do or what they think they “should have” done. The point of reflection should be to observe what is or has worked, what changes you’ve seen in yourself, and see if you can identify opportunities that can then be applied to your strategy for your “future self”. Coaching is forward focused. How do we move from “present state” to “desired state,” which gets defined in the setting goals phase.

Un ejercicio que realizo con mis coachees regularmente es guiarlos a reflexionar sobre el camino recorrido desde el comienzo de nuestras sesiones. Puede recapitular el por qué comenzó, cual era su situación entonces, cuál es su situación actual. Esta reflexión le permite reforzar lo ya obtenido, modificar lo que no le ha funcionado y definir nuevos pasos a seguir, y, lo más importante, mantenerse enfocado en sus objetivos y metas.

Reflective practice has been a powerful tool in my professional life. At the end of each week, I take time to reflect on what worked and what didn't. I implemented this habit with my clients, encouraging them to journal or simply spend a few minutes reviewing their experiences. One of my clients discovered patterns that were holding him back, and through reflection, he was able to make adjustments that led to significant progress. This habit not only improves self-awareness, but also drives a more intentional approach to goal setting.

Celebrar las victorias aún por pequeñas que sean nos permiten sentirnos satisfechos con las tareas que hemos ejecutado esto tiene un impacto en nuestro ser que permite sentirnos capaces de alcanzar una meta.

Positive reinforcement has been key in my work with clients. I remember one client who struggled to see his own progress. As we highlighted his small victories and strengths, his self-esteem began to blossom. This change in his mindset allowed him to approach new challenges with a more optimistic and confident attitude. Watching positive reinforcement transform their approach taught me the value of always highlighting what is working well. Positive reinforcement is essential for motivating clients to set and pursue goals. By focusing on their strengths and past successes, you can help build their confidence and shift their mindset toward one of possibilities.

Provide positive feedback and encouragement. Highlight their achievements, no matter how small, to boost their confidence and reinforce their commitment to goal-setting.

Positive Verstärkung bedeutet den Einsatz mit Fingerspitzengefühl. Lob ist dabei wenig hilfreich. Den Fokus auf Erreichtes zu legen, den Blick darauf zu konzentrieren und gemeinsam mit den KlientInnen das Erlebte betrachten, kann deutlich wirkungsvoller sein. Das Aufdecken der Kompetenzen, kraftvoll in das jetzige Erleben holen und die unbewussten Fähigkeiten sichtbar machen, kann als positiver Verstärker eine große Wirkung haben. Wissen kann ebenfalls als positiver Verstärker dienen. Wenn verstanden werden kann, weshalb Entscheidungen in der Vergangenheit wie getroffen wurden, kann das zu einer erheblichen Erleichterung führen. Wissen macht stark. Durch diese gewonnene Kraft kommt die positive Sicht von innen.

Future visioning comes down to three areas: What they want to achieve: what are the milestones for success? Who they want to be: how do they want to be seen by others and see themselves? Why: why is this change important to them? How will it improve their life? What will happen if they don't achieve this change?

I can attest to the POWER of Visioning! I recently had a client who did not know where to start with their goals nor what they really wanted, but they did know what they did not want for themselves moving forward, which was their WHY for seeking coaching. I asked them to close their eyes, to picture us at the end of our 3-month term, sitting here in our last call, and to describe the following: -How are you feeling now in our last session? -What's changed in your life from when we first started? -What do you notice about yourself in the way you move/speak/act? -What are you most amazed about? -How do you feel in your body? You'd be surprised how easily our INTUITION speaks to us when we tune inward with this approach.

Guide your client in visualizing their future success. Discuss how achieving their goals will impact their life and career. This vision can inspire and motivate them to set and pursue meaningful goals.

I find many individuals are weary of and somewhat averse to the word “goals” as they feel like they’ve set them in the past and not attained them. Exploring DESIRES Setting INTENTIONS and creating ACTION STEPS may be more invigorating language.

La visión de futuro me resulta una herramienta muy poderosa para ayudar a mis coachees, ya que pueden posicionarse en el punto donde ya han alcanzado su meta, y les permite vivenciar ese momento, sentir cómo se sentirán una vez alcanzada. Otra forma de que visualice establezca objetivos alineado con él.