Looking back to move forward

Six months ago I hired a health coach. I’ve been managing gut and energy issues for years and decided it was time to do something about it. It’s key for a coach to be coached. Whatever role we’re in, it’s important to be in the work ourselves.

This week I was reminded of an important lesson about personal transformation.

From almost 15 years of coaching, I’ve seen a pattern in the growth journey. I’ll use the metaphor of a hike:

The beginning is committing. We’re two feet in, we’ve made the time, our boots are laced up. We don’t know exactly what’s going to happen and we’re at the trailhead, backpack on ready to go.

We start hiking. Motivation is high with wins right away. Those wins are energizing. We notice the scenery as we ascend through mud and sunshine. Some things are confronting, and we’re moving forward catching viewpoints along the way.

Then the crux of the hike begins. When the mosquitos come out. It’s hot and there’s been few views and the trail keeps going up. The fog rolls in and we’ve lost sight of the trail ahead and behind us.

This is the point where we can either go back or keep going.

This is why I coach people for at least 6 months. Stuff always hits the fan at the 3-4 month mark — when we are challenged to go back to what we know. I’ve seen time and again — if we can get through that crux moment — a new way of being emerges.

This is my favourite part of the coaching journey. And then everything that happens from here.

Something I’ve learned on a growth journey is the importance of looking back to see how far we’ve come. If we get caught up in what happened yesterday or last week we lose sight of the shifts we’ve made. Those shifts are often huge.

change is better measured by trends over time

Whether it’s the weather or the stock market, change is better measured by trends over time. We might think it’s the wettest June on record because we’re in it right now, and trends tell us it’s not. We may think we’re stuck and trends tell us that we’re hiking at a solid pace.

Before getting on a call with my coach yesterday I was in mosquito land. I couldn’t see the progress I had made because of a few crunchy days. She helped me look back and see. Recognize and celebrate significant growth in the past 6 months. We realigned on goals and I’m clear and recommitted.

coaching questions.

Take a moment to pause. Breathe. Reflect on 6 months ago:

Where can you see growth?

What changes have you made that have made a difference in your life? Big and little.

What have you learned?

Celebrate those things. It takes a backpack of tears, sweat, and smiles to grow. Lace up your boots and keep going. You’re worth it.

Love,

Urszula