Sometimes we can be really good at giving others advice. But when it comes to looking at our own lives under a microscope things are fuzzy. What steps are needed to step back? How can you talk yourself through problems? What can you do to make your own life better?
When you hire a fitness coach you will be pushed above what you feel you are capable of. Your legs tire. Your arms feel sore. The coach encourages you, “Only ten more.” You think you can’t do it, but you work through the discomfort. Then you finish ten more reps.
Nonetheless, when you decide to drag yourself from bed, who is there to push you beyond your boundaries? You need to buddy up or have a partner to tackle the day with you. If you don’t, you must change the gears in your head. Be your own coach.
Your inner self starts whispering things like, “I’m tired of living my life this way.” When this happens, it is time to choose a new lifestyle change. During this time, teaching yourself how to coach yourself is also important. Do this if you have not yet learned how.
Hiring a coach is a great way to start. Learning from someone with experience can guide you to the proper paths. This helps you change negative aspects of your life. Still, every coach has their own personal life. They won’t be next to you every morning, making noise to wake you up. You have to get yourself out of bed. Knowledge from a professional helps to an extent. You must become your own coach to truly benefit. Practice and push yourself to keep working. Your transformation is in your hands. Only you can make the genuine commitment.
Where to start?
First you have to want a lifestyle change. Saying enough is enough in certain aspects of your life is a beginning. Maintaining that mentality is going to take a strong mind. You need a loud inner voice. You have it in you if you seek it.
Here are some things you can do to start being your best coach:
- Hold Yourself Accountable: It’s really easy to skip a workout or eat the wrong foods. You grab another cigarette or lose confidence to go for the new job. You could also stay in bed when depressed. The list goes on. When no one is holding you accountable, your inner voice needs to hold you accountable. The best approach is to teach yourself how to become your own inner voice. Set up consequences if you don’t listen to yourself. Try things like, “If you eat that piece of cake you have to do 50 burpees.” Another option is, “For every cigarette you smoke you have to donate $100 to the American Lung Foundation.” Lastly, try, “If you don’t go for the promotion, you have to take all your co-workers out for happy hour. Drinks and food are on you.” These repercussions work best by giving yourself ultimatums you don’t want to do. Stick to your own repercussions, hold yourself accountable and make things happen.
- Adult The Child Inside Of You: Even if we don’t feel like we can grab the inner child inside of us to skip down a path or play imagination, your inner child is very much alive. It is most likely whispering negative thoughts in your ear. This happens when certain negative events happened in your life, conditioned by environment, and words. Without realizing it you have whispers and feelings tied up in your subconscious brain that can play on your self-confidence, worth, financial, relationships and success. Comforting the inner child and feeding your brain new ways of thinking lead to healthy thoughts and feelings. Be kind to your inner child and reteach your inner child with comfort and understanding.
- Keep Educating yourself: Self-growth is an important part of coaching and because we are human we all have reasons to continue to grow. It is an advantage we all have to better ourselves, habits and quality of life. Here are ways to broaden your self education and coach yourself toward higher self growth:
- Expand your knowledge in the field you are already in. Search for new knowledge and ways to take yourself further in what you are already doing within your career.
- Find spiritual meaning. Spiritual awakening, no matter the religion or belief, is shown to boost happy mood chemicals in the brain, creates a sense of belonging, and community. You don’t have to go to a building to find this – this is your personal journey, a mind opening journey. Practicing mindful meditation can also have the same type of effects rather alone or with a group.
- Learn about your body and health. Body types, blood type, brain and gut health are all different depending on a person’s genetic makeup. To be your best version mentally and physically educate yourself on these things. Learn what type of exercise and activity fit your mind and body best. Discover what kind of foods keep your organs, blood, and immunity at top levels.
- Don’t neglect your mental and emotional health. As above, in mentioning the inner child, we all have things to work through. 2021 statistics for USA, show that 19.00% of adults suffer from mental illness, that is over 47 million Americans. These statistics are based off those who have reached for help, been diagnosed and reported. We all have buried bones we would rather not dig up, but if those things are never confronted, that will haunt your present life. Deciphering your past and what causes you to react in the present can give you the tools needed to live a happier life.
- Seek mentorship. Rather it is in a teacher, therapist, coach, or friend, find unbiased advice and create a support system. While teaching yourself to mentally coach yourself it is helpful for a good support system of people to continue to motivate your growth and progress; Rather if it’s as simple as a walking partner, finding a lifestyle coach, or more complex such as seeing a therapist that meets your needs, gathering a support system will cheer the coach on inside of you, reminding you of what your goals are.
- Set Goals: Speaking of goals, as your own coach it is important to set them. Even when working with a professional, another coach, teacher or therapist, having a clear mind set of what you want to achieve in life is key to staying on track. I prefer physically writing mine in a journal, it holds gravity for myself. However, you can make dream boards, hang things on the fridge, write affirmations and reminders in the closet or cabinets. Do what works for you and motivates you to keep moving ahead. Set small goals first as to not overwhelm yourself. Make maps toward the bigger goals. Remind yourself it takes steps and if those steps ever move backward, it’s okay and don’t beat yourself up, you can and will move forward again.
Ideally, with enough practice, patience and persistence you can be your best coach. No one else can fully see in your head and understand your thought process the way you can. You know your thoughts and feeling better than anyone else and working through these and understanding all the pieces of yourself will help you be the best coach money can’t buy.
Cheers to a happier and healthier you! 💜
The Clover Nook 