Coaching is a subject close to my heart because it has helped me stay motivated. I’ve had running coaches, a cycling coach and a triathlon coach whom have helped me when I wanted to get better in my sports. I also have a psychologist who guides me to continue to have a positive outlook. All the advice I have received has been to have a positive attitude during good and difficult times. I have learned that by being kinder towards myself I have become happier, more effective and motivated. These have helped me to become kinder and better in my relationships with other people too. This is a plus, especially knowing that we are all interconnected.

Coaching has many uses, but mainly it helps us with staying with goals that we want to achieve. I believe that the best way to ensure kindness and compassion towards oneself when choosing what goals to accomplish is to try the best we can and create stepping stones with percentages to reach desired goals. For example, committing to exercise 6 days a week for 30 minutes each day and attain 80% of that goal. You will still be within the guidelines of exercising most days of the week for at least 150 minutes at moderate intensity.

A coach helps by listening about your personal beliefs and guides you to make behavior and lifestyle changes. A coach helps see the client the contrasting behaviors of a particular lifestyle. For example, in instances when you eat a lot; the consequences could be indigestion, weigh gain, and less mobility. If you do not want to feel poorly about your health then you will try to be aware of your behavior and change it. It is not easy, but a coach can help you stay focused and teach you how to be kind and disciplined during your time of transformation. More importantly, you need to be kind to yourself, after all you are developing habits within yourself to become more self-reliant and stronger through life’s ups and downs.

Coaching relates to your overall wellness and the little things you can do for yourself to be kind and compassionate. Even reaching 80% of a goal is better than 50%. When you are kind to yourself then you are able to share that experience with others. Even if you are not the sharing type of person, I have learned that spending more time in nature and in silence to relax recharges me. I LOVE running because it allows me to feel my body, to hear nature and at times it provides the mental relaxation in order to focus on the goals I choose to pursue.

Now that we are 4 days into the new year, make more conscious choices about positive habits you want flowing into your mind. Don’t forget to avoid negative people or thoughts that bring hurtful judgements into your mind. Old habits will always lurk in your mind but if you explore your mind with kindness and compassion you can attain new healthy habits.

You do not have to do it alone, ask a friend for help, hire a therapist, hire a coach. You are worth the investment of your time on yourself. When you step outside of your comfort zone there is a chance of making a mistake, maybe you start your exercise program too quickly or you start a romantic relationship too early in your healing process after a break up, either way, see it as an opportunity to learn about you and use what you learn to avoid making the same mistakes again.

Be your own coach with kindness, compassion and respect. The world is full of beauty, enjoy it!