A few of the common questions about how having a health coach is different than facing your challenges and your goals on your own.

What is cognitive-based health coaching?

No one is perfect, and we all have goals, but for some reason we often go about our own goals in ways that set us up for failure. We expect rapid results. We dive into action before we’ve actually researched and prepared for the endeavor. All too often we’re not even clear on what we really want, and what it means to us to achieve that goal. And lastly, we skip over the part where we acknowledge how the way we think and our habits are impacting the way we take care of ourselves.

As a cognitive health coach, I am going to help you take on your goals in a way that makes them less overwhelming and much more achievable. I’m going to slow down that rush to take action, and help you really gather the tools and awareness you need to move forward in your life.

So, how do I help my clients take on those steps effectively?

One thing I will never do is tell you what to do. It is rarely effective to be told we must do something, especially when we’re not ready to do it. Plus, I believe you know what you need far better than I know, but I can help you tap into the nooks and crannies of your brain so you can decide what you need.

And that sounds odd, that I’m going to help you understand your own brain better. For example, though, is that on your own you may set a goal of “I want to lose 10 lbs.”  But my question for you is does that goal motivate you? Does it empower and inspire you?

Instead, I will help you understand what the action of losing 10 lbs will do for you. What does it mean to you? What does it give you? Who do you become when you attain that goal? The answers to those questions will help you tap into what you’re truly after.

The simplest exact is that while we want to lose weight, more often the true goal is the desire to feel confident and respect your body.

How does the “cognitive” part fit in here?

Part of my training as a coach is based on David Rock’s work in ResultsCoaches.com, and theories outlined well in “Your Brain At Work” and “Quiet Leadership.”

The study of neuroplasticity shows us that our brain really like to think and work in a certain way. A great example being that we always like our own ideas better than we like others. If I can help you come up with your own ideas as to why you overeat or skip exercise; that is much more powerful than me literally telling you what I think.

Through the coaching conversations we have together, I’ll be asking you questions that you rarely have a chance to think about in your normal every day life, and we are going to dig deep! As deep as you’d like to dig. Those conversations will literally lead to a variety of unique insights into how you think and feel about the challenges and goals in your life.

This method of conversation seems simple, but it is purposeful, and the best way I can help you is by helping you and your brain make those connections and discoveries.