Summary

The author shares their positive experiences with three types of coaching: group coaching on Insight Timer, one-on-one positive psychology coaching, and habit coaching through B.J. Fogg's Tiny Habits program, emphasizing the benefits of each and their impact on personal growth and accountability.

Abstract

The article "How Coaching Has Helped Me" delves into the author's personal journey with different coaching methods. Group coaching sessions on Insight Timer have provided a supportive environment for the author to understand what is 'normal' in terms of self-doubt and lack of confidence. One-to-one positive psychology coaching has challenged the author to confront difficult questions, fostering self-reflection and action towards personal goals. The Tiny Habits program, a form of micro-coaching, has helped the author implement new habits through daily support and encouragement. Each coaching method has contributed uniquely to the author's self-improvement, with one-on-one coaching standing out for its effectiveness in maintaining accountability and overcoming personal barriers.

Opinions

Group coaching is praised for its text-based interaction, which can be less intimidating than speaking on camera, and for providing a sense of community and shared experiences.
Positive psychology coaching is valued for its focus on personal accountability, forward-thinking, and the creation of actionable plans to achieve desired outcomes.
The Tiny Habits program is appreciated for its free access, the ability to start small with habit formation, and the different approaches of coaches within the program.
The author believes that one-to-one coaching is the most effective method for personal growth, as it provides a structured environment to address fears, clarify goals, and take tangible steps towards a fulfilling life.
The author acknowledges that while coaching may not be for everyone, their own experience with various coaching types has been transformative, providing tools for reframing, re-prioritizing, and refocusing energy.

How Coaching Has Helped Me

I have heard people be rather critical of coaches and have often considered this to be unfair so I wanted to share my experiences of working with some different types of coaches.

Group Coaching

I attend a weekly group coaching session on Insight Timer and it has been a real game-changer for me. The sessions are led by a life coach who brings a topic each week and interacts with the group, this gives everyone a chance to share their own experiences if they wish or to ask questions.

This type of coaching is great if you prefer to use text rather than speaking in person or on camera and writing your feelings or worries can be easier.

The most important thing I have gained from these sessions is understanding what is ‘normal’. There are many things that have caused me to have doubts about things or to lack confidence in myself and through these discussions, I have come to understand that these are normal experiences and normal reactions.

Another important part of these sessions is that the group support each other, this can be through encouragement or through the sharing of similar experiences. This has helped me to feel reassured that I am not the only one going through something or feeling a particular way.

Positive Psychology Coaching

I have had some one-to-one coaching with a positive psychology coach. One-to-one coaching certainly doesn’t give me anywhere to hide! I have to face the difficult questions but the answers to everything are in me and the coach helps me to clear the muddied waters by asking the right questions, helping me to look at things from a totally different perspective and encouraging me to create my own plan for the week ahead.

In these sessions I have been working on balance and boundaries, and how to forge the path I want for this phase of my life.

The positive psychology aspect helps me to look forward and to focus on flourishing. For me, at least, this style of coaching allows me to move from ‘things I would like to do’ to ‘doing the things I like to do’. The accountability of one-to-one, or even small group coaching where you are either in person or on camera, does help although there is no pressure and if you do not follow through, a coach can help you adjust your course appropriately.

Habit Coaching

I have completed several programmes of B.J. Fogg’s Tiny Habits Five Day Programme, which I might call ‘micro-coaching’. Each day for five days whilst you work on introducing three new habits, your coach supports you through encouragement and overcoming challenges via email.

I have found it interesting how different coaches work on this programme, each with their own angle on how to achieve your goals. Some of the Tiny Habits coaches work on a more in-depth level than others and this can also come down to what you need as you practice your intended ‘habit recipes’.

Having done this programme several times, I do really like it because I would not have even started on trying to implement the habits without the it but, on my part, I may need to do more outside of the programme to gain better benefits. I appreciate that it is free and gets me thinking about things I want to change, for example, adding stretches into my day whenever a boil the kettle or taking a mindful breath when I get back from the school run.

All of the coaches I have been privileged to work with have brought significant benefits for me, but I think that one-to-one coaching is by far the most effective — for me at least — as it keeps me accountable and really drills down through the barriers that are holding me back from living a life that is in alignment with what I want and what I can achieve. It helps me to reassess my perspective on things and to clarify what I want and how to get there.

The three types of coaching I have discussed are not the only types of coaching and everyone will find they have a preference but personally, I have benefitted from each of these in different ways. I have learned that my fears and anxieties are actually normal responses to the things that I have experienced, I have defined my goals and how to move towards them and I have introduced new, positive habits that help me work on my fitness and wellbeing.

So, maybe not everyone will choose to work with a coach but I am glad that I have found the ones I use and that have given me the opportunities and the tools to reframe, re-prioritise and refocus my energy to move my life forward.

Useful Links:

https://insighttimer.com/ There are many free resources on Insight Timer including live coaching sessions and talks as well as a paid option which offers access to courses.

https://www.yourzen-life.com/ Positive psychology coaching.

https://tinyhabits.com/program/ B.J. Fogg’s Free Five Day Habit Coaching Programme.