GOAL SETTING:
What is it?
It is a potent process when thinking about dreams and the best way to put our vision into reality.
What are the paybacks?
- long term vision
- focus, motivation and direction
- support to manage our resources (time, energy, money…)
- avoid distractions
- set priorities
- measure progress
- shape self confidence
- allow control of one’s life
How it works?
first we create the big picture (our lifetime goals) and then we narrow our focus and break it down, into small goals (5 years, one year, this month, this week and today). Lastly, we build a to-do list of what we must to do each day; we progress, go back to and update it on a daily basis. The key strategy is to preserve the long term goals perfectly aligned with our priorities and daily life.
Superb rules:
- ONLY set goals that motivate us (that are important and worth the effort to achieve them)
- align them with our higher priorities in life
- apply the SMART rule (S-specific, M- measurable, A-attainable, R- relevant, T- time-bound)
- write them down (first person, and in a positive way)
- establish priorities
- make an action plan
- create a process that keeps ourselves on track
- revisit them frequently
- start with the end in mind and work backward
Common mistakes to escape:
- setting unachievable or unfeasible goals
- focus on too few/many areas at the same time
- not learn from failure
- reach for other people’s goals
- not measure our progress
- state goals in negative way (this is emotionally demoralizing)
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COACHING
What is it?
The ICF (International Coach Federation, 2013) definition:
coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential
Professional coaching focuses on setting goals, creating outcomes and managing personal change.
My definition:
Coaching is an oriented action that allows the client, in alliance with the coach, to achieve a desired goal, according to his/her vision, possibilities, values and beliefs, that requires self-awareness, in order to produce change, learning and growing, through a dynamic process, that leads the client to live with superior well-being, meaning and happiness.
How it works?
Characteristics of the coaching process:
- the client (drives the process)
- the coach (supports and holds a space for the client)
- an outcome (the client’s goals)
- a method (the action plan)
- a way to be measured (follow-up)
My approach:
The 6 C’s Coaching Model
What a coach offers to the client?
- support to discover the answers within him or herself
- clarification of values
- co-creation of a plan for how to achieve what the client really wants
- a sounding board for new ideas
- support in making life-changing decisions
- challenge to expand their views beyond their perceived limitations
- direction
- acknowledgment
- encouragement
- resource for information” (international coach academy, 2013)