Power Tool: Reactive Mode vs. Active Mode

A Coaching Power Tool created by Catarina Mendes
(Life Coaching, PORTUGAL) 

The value of things is not the time they last, but the intensity with which they occur. That is why there are unforgettable moments and unique people!
Fernando Pessoa, Portuguese writer (1888-1935)

• Where are you living, most of the time?
• Where do you want to live, most of the time?

The intention of my Power Tool is to encourage clients to assess whether they are living their lives with purpose and intention or simply drifting through their lives. In other words, if they are being ‘Active’ or ‘Reactive’.

Some considerations about my power tool:

1. The starting point:

• my peer client experience along my ICA journey
• my first baby steps as external coach
• Other sources: books, audio programs, webinars, trainings, articles etc.

2. The aim:

my power tool was built to be delivered to all my clients as:

• an “audit tool” (to allow both the client and the coach to see whether the client is living mainly in ACTIVE or REACTIVE mode.)
• a “ROI tool” (to allow the client to gauge the potential ROI from their coaching program with me)

3. The method:

• the visual presentation  (to facilitate the comprehension behind)
• the different 4 levels – physical, emotional, mental and spiritual (to consider a person as a whole)

4. The limits/benefits of this approach:

The limits:

Although intentional the choice of presenting a power tool which stresses the negative versus positive perspective, has the natural limitation of the exaggeration and the constraint of a perspective that is mutually exclusive (as if we lived on an “either/or versus neither/nor” model). It is known that nobody lives ONLY and ALL THE TIME in Reactive mode or Active mode. It wouldn’t be even healthy, realistic or desired to assume that.

The benefits:

By using the technique of putting in contrast both perspectives REACTIVE – ACTIVE MODE,  it is easier:

•  to understand that human beings are dynamic creatures and that the expected balance comes from the choices made, most of the time;
• The aim of this power tool as described above (point 2.)