Are You Ready For Change?

Are you ready to stop the pain and make a change?

So there's an issue that has become emotional in your life and you're upset by it. This issue has happened before. Chances are it's part of a larger pattern in your life, which you already know.

Currently, you're in an emotional state and want the pain to stop. That's understandable. Our bodies often use pain, emotions included, to warn us and tell us to stop doing something.

But let's be honest. You've felt this pain before. And last time, you weren't ready to stop. You were equally upset, but you weren't honestly ready to make real change. And now you're here again. 

In my last article, you asked yourself the question "What is a coach and is one going to be able to help me?" You answered by doing a Coaching Self Assessment. Now it's time to move on to Step Two: Decide.

The Next step is to decide

So the next part is to decide -

1. Are you truly ready to change? Or are you just trying to vent the hurt and emotions out once again?
2. Are you ready and capable of facing hard truths about yourself? Included how some of the current issue may have been, at least in part, your own doing?
   That's always a hard one to face. The fact that we did something to cause our own pain doesn't make us bad, nor is it a judgement on who we are. We do what we know to do and up until now, the actions you've done are what you knew to do. But...
3. Are you ready to change and learn to do new things?
4. What kind of help and support do you want for yourself right now?
   Some people want lots of one-on-one coaching and to talk things through with someone who can understand what they are going through. Others want lots of knowledge and articles and information that they can sort through themselves. Some prefer self-paced worksheets and still others prefer video training or conferences or workshops.
5. What kind of learning do you prefer? What do YOU want your coaching experience to look like?

What do you want your coaching to look like?

Part of answering this question requires you to think about what kind of time you'll have available to dedicate to coaching and growing and learning, how much money you can afford to spend, and how much other support you have in your life.

If you aren't ready or don't have the time, no coaching session will produce results. If that's the case, then self-paced free or low cost coaching options may be what you need. Only you can determine what has and hasn't worked for you before and what will work for you this time.

When you're ready, you'll know what you need and your coach can help find it for you. Almost all coaches offer a free first consultation so you can see if they'll meet your needs. Take advantage of these sessions to help you locate resources which can meet your needs and budget and time constraints. Find a coach who feels comfortable and that you won't mind telling your biggest fears to.

If you aren't ready to share your fears and hurts just yet, that's all right. Call a coach or two and ask them to point you towards some self-paced resources you can begin working with until you are ready.You don't have to stay in pain and you don't have to keep living with these issues in your life.