Are You Getting A Good Return for Your Labor?

Research shows that by reducing just one health risk factor you can increase a person’s productivity on the job by 9% and reduce absenteeism by 2%. While different people have different needs at various stages in their lives, most people share all six of these to varying degrees:

Being held accountable, questioned and/or challenged;
being listened to; being recognized for achievements;
being accepted; being motivated.

God created us to be social beings. We need each other. Remember He said it was not good for Adam to be alone and created the perfect partner for him - Eve. Well, we need and benefit from many different relationships in our lives. When it comes to improving our health or changing habits, having someone to support, encourage, motivate and cheer you on is priceless! It can also mean the difference between success and failure. In fact, in Ecclesiastes 4:9,10 NLT we are told: "Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble."

I apply this scripture to my coaching. I am to stand with a client, strengthening and focusing their effort. When you make the commitment to change your diet or begin an exercise program - you will find yourself being attacked! You'll experience cravings, begin to doubt you have the energy or time to follow through, find every excuse in the book - those are attacks my friend! Where they come from doesn't even matter. Just know that these things will come and be prepared.

Why is this so important? Having someone stand with you and guide you in the commitment to change specific thoughts, habits or behaviors and then have you report back to them is a sure-fire way to improve your follow-through. Accountability automatically improves performance and results. A new study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that women were successful in losing weight when they had regularly scheduled, personal interaction with a health professional. You’re simply more likely to succeed if you have someone you check in with on a regular basis who encourages you when you struggle, and celebrates with you when you achieve your goals. That’s what a coach does! You can have a friend or your spouse be an accountability buddy as well. For many people, having someone impartial and who can also guide and educate them by providing information and strategies, seems to work best.

If you are thinking about signing up for a coaching program, carefully and honestly answer these questions I use with prospective coaching clients:

What is your goal? What do you want to achieve?
Is it truly your goal or one someone else has chosen for you?
What is currently preventing you from reaching your goal?
Are you avoiding doing something that you know needs to be done?
Are you tolerating or putting up with anything that is causing you pain?
Are there any spiritual, mental or emotional issues affecting your progress?
What are you willing to do in the next 30 days? 90 days? 6 months?
Are you completely committed to doing whatever it takes to achieve your goal?
To consistently take action and make measurable progress daily?
What are your expectations of a coach?
Do you need encouragement/support?
Do you want information you can understand and implement?
Do you need accountability – a gentle nudge to stay on track?
Are you ready – heart and mind – to move forward?
Can you work toward releasing ineffective behaviors, thought patterns and habits?
Are you willing to learn new skills and strategies?
Are you open to new ideas and methods?
Are you ready to set specific, measurable, realistic goals and do the work necessary to achieve them?
Are you willing to invest (time, effort, money) in yourself, your most valuable commodity, to improve your health and quality of life?
If you can honestly answer “yes,” you are ready to begin a coaching program and you will see results!

Step to Take:

If you have a health issue you are dealing with (blood sugar balance, weight loss, blood pressure), honestly assess your situation. Ask yourself the questions I suggested above and if you truly are ready to make changes and move forward, find a coach or accountability buddy and take that first step! It's the best way to get a good return for your labor!

Until next time, I wish you vibrant health! Ann