Barefoot Blogging

Today is a big blogday for me. This is my first blog as a life coach.

[Insert whistle of approval here].

I've blogged before and it's been a massively enjoyable ride. I learned a lot about the art of blogging as well as learning a lot about myself. But now I'm handing my focus over to you.

Yes, you!

As a life coach, I'm on a mission. That mission (if I choose to accept… which I have…), is to help as many people as possible to find their inner light and shine, shine, shine.

I wonder if one of those people will be you?

Only time will tell I suppose, but in the meantime, here's the deal: I'm going to blog every week about a topic that is motivating, inspiring, helpful or just downright interesting. At least, I hope it'll be interesting! (But you get to be the judge of that…).

Your side of the bargain is to let me know if it's meaningful to you (by sharing it), or if it inspires or offends you (feel free to leave a comment), heck, maybe it'll change your life? If it does then please let me know!

There is a psychologic factor that states that an accumulative process has the same effect as a single full-on event. What that means in everyday language is that by repeating a behaviour (such as saying negative or positive things to yourself), has the same effect over the long-term as a compliment from the Dalai Lama or being smashed in the face with a brick.

Life coaching works on that very same accumulative principle. Life is something we hope to do (live) for a long time. So if we want to be happy, it makes sense that we should implement regular daily habits that increase our chances of feeling good. You might smirk at the idea of positive affirmations but science tells us that our brains are wired to follow a common path. That path might be a chocolate bar every day at 3pm, or it might be a cigarette break after your meal (urgh!), or, it might be starting your day by taking a minute to give yourself a hug and tell yourself "I love you [insert your name here]."

Whatever you choose to do on a regular basis, your brain will become attuned to search for that thing. So choosing something that serves you well would be a good choice, right?

Dr Jeffrey Scwhartz is one of my neuroplastic-expert crushes (OK, maybe the only one…). His work includes retraining the brain of people with OCD so that they are able to manage daily tasks and no longer be debilitated by needing to count the turns of the door handle or check that they still have 20 pairs of sneakers lined up in the closet.

Just to be clear, I'm not making light of OCD, on the contrary, any mental illness should be taken seriously, but as Schwartz is proving; the brain responds to positive, accumulative information. Even people who have suffered with OCD for years are being able to turn their thoughts and behaviours around by using this repeated, accumulative method.

But what's this got to do with life coaching you might ask?

A lot.

Life coaching offers an opportunity to find new pathways for your brain. Many coaches use neuro linguistic programming (NLP), but as each of us is an individual, there are myriad ways to integrate new behaviours. Some of our behaviours have been present for a very long time, in which case, retraining the brain can take more than one session. But even if all you do is have a single consultation with a life coach, you have taken a GIGANTIC leap towards finding your own happiness. A happiness that doesn't rely on everything going your way, mind you. Much more on that in a future blog.

Rather than delve into the neuroscience of how to find happiness, I'll leave you with this short insight: life coaching is a way to change your life. It involves setting goals and working with your coach so you begin to achieve your dreams in a way that feels right for you. Yes, your coach will push you, but never more than you can handle. Sometimes a life coach will give you a gentle nudge but they'll also be right beside you, holding your hand and cheerleading you toward whatever it is you want.

It doesn't always involve NLP and it's certainly not about brain trickery. But it is about using whatever tools are available to help you be the person you KNOW you can be. That amazing, inspiring, energetic and passionate man or woman that you are.

Dreams can come true. And you can absolutely achieve anything you want by taking it one step at a time. I'm doing it too. My dream is to be the best coach I can be by helping as many other people be as successful as they possibly can.

So, what is it you dream about having, doing or being? Maybe I can help? Maybe, together, we can both fulfill our greatest potential? (Wouldn't that be cool!)

: )

I believe in you.

h x

PS I'm a no shoes, no BS kinda girl, so I hope you don't mind if I turn up barefoot?

#lifecoaching #personaldevelopment #selfesteem #lovelife