I have a lot of projects I would like to get completed this week! And, because of Labor Day, it’s a short week! So, I was reminded that I really needed to self-coach. Apply what I do with others to myself!

I was writing an email to a new client about my commitment to transformational coaching as opposed to transactional coaching and it hit me that I was getting ready to plan my week in a transactional way. Duh!

Transactional coaching: Not always bad, coaching on a practical topic where getting it done is very easy to measure.

Transformational coaching: Coaching on a practical or a personal topic where getting it done may not always be easy to measure. It involves self-discovery, learning to think differently and connect emotionally or spiritually to refine the task according to your personal vision and then to complete the task. When you are confronted with the same or a similar topic in the future, then you should be able to handle it with ease!

How does the process differ in my case? My first thought is to head immediately to my list to prioritize it and to my calendar to schedule in the hours I think I will need to complete these projects. Whatever time management processes would seem to work best would be applied. And I would slug away at them, hoping to keep to my schedule and to complete them in the time allotted. This is transactional coaching.

The better way would be to ask myself some awareness questions that would help me understand the importance of each project and connect it with my vision of how each finished project would change something vital for the big picture and move me forward toward this big picture goal. The enhanced commitment and emotional connection will make this week’s work a more compelling journey instead of a forced march!

Awareness: What will it mean for me, practically and emotionally, to finish these three projects this week? Is there something I am dreading that could sabotage my commitment to completing these tasks?

Vision: How do they fit into the big picture of my work? What would be the greatest impact of these finished projects?

If you have something in your life that you have a vision for or want to do but just can’t seem to get started or feel stuck, connect with me for a complimentary coaching session and start to move forward now!