Change can be uncomfortable.
It’s all too easy to stick with what we know even if it’s not perfect, to resist the unknown – to stay comfortable. Albeit deep down we know that we may be dissatisfied with certain aspects of our life, it is often easier to decide that doing something about them is too hard and we drift back to inertia.
It sounds like a contradiction but by training our mind to become more comfortable with moving out of our comfort zone, we not only grow and develop but we also become more resilient to allow us to take on new and more stretching challenges.
Whilst part of our brain wants to keep us safe and protect us from harm, another part craves growth. And when we push ourselves outside of our comfort zone and achieve something new our brain rewards us with a shot of the mood-enhancing hormone, dopamine.
Using a coach to support you through the process of managing change and embracing the discomfort that it requires has many benefits:
- Managing change is hard. It’s great if you have friends that will support you and give you encouragement. But they may also want to give you advice, which may or may not be helpful. A coach will help you work out what you really want, how you will achieve it and what help you visualise what will be different for you after the change.
- A coach can work with you to ensure that your aspirations are aligned with your values – the core beliefs that are non-negotiable and guide your actions. This will aid you to become more of your authentic self without any compromise.
- There will inevitably be twists and turns on the path ahead and at times you will get stuck. This may be because there are specific beliefs that you have that are holding you back. A coach can explore these with you, help you look at different options and how you might change your mindset to overcome challenges or beliefs that are limiting your potential. This might include some challenge to push yourself a bit harder, to dream bigger, or consider what you had always thought was beyond your reach.
- You can work with a coach to test out ideas or try new things out in a safe and non-judgemental space. It could be role-playing a difficult conversation you need to have, planning how you might raise your profile to gain promotion, or to prepare for an interview. You drive the agenda in each coaching session to ensure that you are focusing on the things that are most valuable to you to achieve your longer-term ambition.
- Finally, the coach will be there to hold you accountable, to help ensure that you will commit to the individual actions that will lead to change and you realising your ambitions. Your goals may change along the way, and that is absolutely fine. The coach is solely focused on you and what is in your best interests.
If that sounds appealing but a bit uncomfortable, then great – you are ready to explore finding a coach that will support you to realise your potential and ambitions.