Life Coaching and Mindfulness - A trendy fad?
People often come to life coaching wanting help to change. For example, to change habits they have or the way they usually tend to respond in particular situations. These changes are often hard to make because most of us operate on ‘autopilot’ or ‘muscle memory’. We respond without conscious thinking, to situations as they come up. We have habitual responses that are often quite deeply ingrained.
Henry Ford, the founder of Ford Motor Company famously said that if we always do what we’ve always done, we’ll always get what we’ve always got. To change we must turn off the autopilot and respond consciously or ‘mindfully’ to each particular situation rather than just ‘doing what we have always done’.
To ‘turn off the autopilot’ we must be able to recognise or notice the point where we would usually react automatically, so we can consciously modify our response in a way that will better move us towards our chosen goals. Mindfulness helps us ‘notice the gap’ that very brief interval just before making a habitual response where we can consciously choose a more positive response.
Following extensive research, mindfulness training has now been widely adopted in both coaching and counselling because it helps us be more aware of our thoughts and feelings, and therefore recognise when opportunities to make conscious change arise.
In a simple form of mindfulness, our coaching client sits quietly, often focusing on their breathing. They practice daily or weekly simply noticing their thoughts and feelings, not engaging with them or judging them.
If you would like to develop more mindfulness, here is a simple practice to start.
• Find a quiet space and sit comfortably.
• Close your eyes or soften your gaze.
• Focus on your breath, feeling the rise and fall of your chest or abdomen.
• When your mind wanders gently notice your thought and guide your attention back to your breath.
• Practice for just a few minutes each day, gradually increasing the duration as you become more comfortable.
Contact Steve to book a FREE initial coaching session 021 264 2506
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
-
64% Yes
-
33.7% No
-
2.3% Other - I'll share below
Connect For Women
🌼 Now's the Time to Join Connect for Women! 🌼
Why wait? Become a member of Connect for Women now and get ready to join us in 2025! 🎉 Membership is FREE, and it's the perfect chance to expand your social network, make new friends, and be part of a supportive community.
✨ Why Join?
👭 Connect with like-minded women
💬 Enjoy meaningful conversations and events
🤝 Build lasting friendships and collaborations
Don't miss out – secure your spot and be ready for an exciting year ahead! Let's make 2025 the best year yet, together. 💫
👉 Sign up today or send us a DM for more details!
#FreeToJoin #WomenSupportingWomen #NewYearNewConnections
Become an SPCA Foster Hero!
Kitten season has arrived, and over the next six months, over 8,000 cats and kittens will come into SPCA’s care. Please help us give these babies the best start in life and sign up to be a foster parent today! It's not just cats and kittens - we are also urgently seeking foster homes for dogs and small animals.
Fostering saves lives and helps these tiny babies grow into healthy, well-adjusted adults, ready for adoption. We cover all training and costs. All you need is time and love to spare!
Sign up today and save a life!