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Original poster

Life Coaching ..... Anyone ?

134 replies

Crystaltips · 23/07/2004 22:07

Anyone have experience - or know anything about life coaching. I am sick to death with being out of control in many areas of my life and would be interested to see whether or not this can help.
Thanks

OP posts:
Caribbeanqueen · 23/07/2004 22:11

Crystaltips, no experience bu thave also been considering it, so very interested in what others have to say.

Original poster
Crystaltips · 23/07/2004 22:42

Just want to get things back on track ....

OP posts:
StickyNote · 23/07/2004 22:53

Also no experience but again, would be interested to hear others' opinions.

serenequeen · 23/07/2004 22:57

have a look at this .

good luck.

Original poster
Crystaltips · 23/07/2004 23:04

That looked good Thanks serenequeen - However I certainly am NOT a business High Flyer - rather a run-of-the-mill SAHM who needs to regain control of her life ....

OP posts:
Kay1 · 24/07/2004 12:52

my dh has just started training as a life coach so i have been looking at all his books - one i've found perfect for me right now is 'take time for your life' by cheryl richardson. Its not all about high flying goal setting but much more about how to create some space in your life, looking after yourself, getting rid of things that are draining of energy etc etc and eventually moving on to look at what you really want..........i've found it really useful just to read this, have not seen a life coach in person (other than dh) but i wouldn't want him to try and sort me out iykwim!

zebra · 24/07/2004 12:56

Getting rid of things that drain my energy....That would be 4 guinea pigs, my husband -- oh yes, and 3 small children.
Hmmmm.... There's a flaw in this plan, somewhere.

MancMum · 24/07/2004 13:17

In a rush but...I have a friend who is training to be a life coach and from what I can see it is a very expensive way of getting some common sense and ear ache to make you do things... you either are the sort of person who does XYZ cos someone external to your situation tells you to do it... or if you are like me to choose to ignore them as well but feel a bit better about things as at least you are paying for some advice and so are making some progress!!

Why not sit down with a good friend or Mumsnet and establish your goals and use us/them to help you acheive them... far cheaper!

boudicca · 24/07/2004 13:32

but what if you've lost sight or(in my case)never really had any to begin with??just muddled through life up till now,but feeling that it's too late anyway.

tiamaria · 24/07/2004 14:12

MancMum - I agree that a group of us on MN could help each other in an amateur life coach sort of way. It would be fun. Or do I have a very warped sense of humour?!

boudicca - Can you give us some idea of some areas of your life that you'd like to improve? We could try to help.

tiamaria · 24/07/2004 14:14

Crystaltips - I forgot to say.....me too. I have started on de-cluttering and stuff recently. In fact, I need to get off MN now and do some cleaning!

boudicca · 24/07/2004 14:19

hi Tiamaria,where do I start?
too fat
too lazy
too old

boudicca · 24/07/2004 14:20

seriously though,I think it would be a great idea to have a life coach thread on here,like the weight loss one

Kay1 · 24/07/2004 14:33

Ooh what a good idea - life coaching each other, i probably have wierd sense of humour too, but think it sounds like fun!

For a start, i would say you are never too old/fat/lazy to start changing things.........just go for it! 'It' could be anything, doesn't have to big could just be finding one small thing that will make you feel good - decluttering is always a good one...

my one for today is to go to cinema tonight - dh and ds are away for weekend - i am here working on report (or i should be but i keep getting sidetracked by MN) and i want to do something nice just for me.

boudicca · 24/07/2004 14:42

Think I'll have to 'lurk' on this one ,as I'm far too depressed at the moment to even figure out my 'It'

boudicca · 24/07/2004 14:44

must get a life!
I've sat here for 6hrs today just trawling through the posts on here,and filling in competitions.

MancMum · 24/07/2004 16:14

I think a life coach thread would be a great idea as I am always good with planning but v. poor at delivering on them ... I would have sorted the world out by now if only I had actually got on with some of my ideas...

Boudicca...too old too fat too lazy... you could be describing me! Not at lot we can do about 2 old but the rest ... set some goals and lets go!!

I am on a 3 week plan at the moment...feeling quite frumpy and in need of a new image so

Goals are:

  1. Lose a bit of weight by eating better.. no bread, lots of fruit and veg and vits. 2 Improve skin by making sure I cleanse tone scrub etc at least 10 times a week - twice a day too much of a commitment!
  2. Sort out wardrobe and chuck out all clothes no hope of ever fitting into again and ironing some stuff that fits... I have lived in t-shirts too long and I think ironed clothes just make me look smarter and slimmer..

If I get this done, next plan is for exercise and to get a life... Theory according to mate is to start with a small achievable plan and then build on its success. This did work for me as I have just turned lazy housework corner with previous plan - 30 mins work a day - not much but really works!!

MancMum · 24/07/2004 16:20

forgot to add that I have been measuring action/success on a spreadsheet - does help seeing your work quantified...but maybe a thread would be even more motivating...

tiamaria · 24/07/2004 16:28

boudicca - Sorry. I was away tidying up and changing beds. Dd is looking through a cook book right now as she wants to bake a cake (AGGHH) so I can't write much.

I agree with Kay1. Little things add up. I did a little thing today (started wearing my contact lenses again) and I feel much better for it. (Dh didn't notice. When I pointed it out, he said, "Do you wear glasses all the time normally, then?" Point 1) YES, I DO! Point 2) We've been married for over 10 years! I'll get him back, tonight! ' ) Anyway.........it's another little step towards improving my self confidence. Got to go. Dd is getting into gear on this cake!

tiamaria · 24/07/2004 16:32

MancMum - Wow!! Got to go and show willing with the cake, but wanted to say "Well done!" We need someone like you to inspire us! I've lost a stone recently. Now a size 14/16 instead of 16.

Kay1 · 24/07/2004 17:02

have now written 3 pages of report so am having well-deserved break!

Wow, mancmum you're on a roll! i want to do your no.3 - i can't get my clothes into my chest of drawers anymore but can't work out why as i always wear the same stuff - something big must be lurking in there some where (or just hundreds of pairs of knickers).

Am getting more excited about idea of having a thread about this - how do we do that and how did you organise a spread sheet - that all sounds mega efficient! trouble is with me though is i'm good at planning too - have lots of pretty notebooks with good ideas, lists in but really must learn to keep going and see something through....thats why i like little and very short term goals....much more achievable. Unlike getting this report done by end of today - aargh!! - oh well, back to it!

tiamaria · 24/07/2004 17:15

Kay1 - Ok. I'm going to keep schtum (sp?) until you can put your hand on your heart and say that the report is done! "i"s dotted, "t"s crossed, the lot!

MancMum · 24/07/2004 17:38

Sounds like we have the making of a thread!

I think we should look to a short term plan first - 3 weeks is recommended as it takes that long to break a bad habit according to the books I have read...

why don't we each think up 3 things and put a plan in place to address them and work out how often we measure them ... and then we can provide updates and where we have failed, we can discuss why, modify plan etc and be each others life coaches!

I can tell you more about my spreadsheet later when kids are in bed but think I could put one together for us to circulate

Original poster
Crystaltips · 24/07/2004 17:46

In 3 weeks I would like to acheive the following :

a ) Agree plans for a new bathroom
b ) Begin to shift my weight ( is 4 lbs realistic without being too hard )
c ) Successfully negotiate the minefield of the SUmmer holidays
d ) I have just turned 40 - so once a month I am going to pamper myself - I'll book a facial
e ) Have just bought a pilates video - so want to do 3 sessions a week

Think I'd better stop as the list is getting too long and I'll get disconcerted !!

OP posts:
Kay1 · 24/07/2004 19:28

haven't quite finished report yet but am now hungry so have stopped anyway! Only conclusion left so can do that tomorrow with all bits crossed and dotted and everything.......

Right then...my 3 week plan:

  1. Clear out that chest of drawers and rediscover or throw stuff
  2. To only say 'yes' to things if i really want to do them - this one is more of a work/friends thing rather than a parental thing, but something i read about in life coaching book that seemed like really good idea.
  3. To go swimming (proper lengths not just messing about in kids bit and going down slides)once a week

That will do for starters........have decided to leave healthy eating, giving up alcohol, cigs etc, also using my pilates video that i got free in some mag at least 2 years ago, being a better mum/partner.........the list could potentially be endless!!