Power Tool: Embrace vs. Resist

A Coaching Power Tool Created by Janae’ Dresser
(Life Coach, UNITED STATES)

If there is one constant in life, it is change. When we consider that fact, why does change make so many of us feel uncomfortable . . . vulnerable . . . insecure . . . fearful?  Why do we desperately hang on to old beliefs, patterns, and behaviors that no longer serve us?  As coaches, we need to understand the reasons our clients often resist change when embracing change is essential to their growth and wellbeing.

Resist

The Golden Cage

Resistance to change is based primarily in safety – keeping the status quo. According to the author and coach Anand (2014), when we resist change, we trap ourselves in a Golden Cage. We tend to wait inside our cage for years to be rescued by someone else when we ourselves are the rescuers. Our self imposed boundaries keep us trapped in toxic jobs, relationships, and circumstances when all we need to do is open the cage door and fly out to freedom. The most common reason we stay in the Golden Cage is resistance to change.

This particular mindset can be quite challenging in the coaching profession when working with clients – for change is the cornerstone of growth, happiness, and moving forward in life.