We all have goals, we all have a number of things we’d like to achieve before we pop our clogs. Some people call them pipe dreams and some people call them ambitions. To turn these goals, dreams and wishes into something other than pipe dreams a certain level of commitment is required. And with commitment comes dedication and hard work.
One of the things a good coach will get you to think about is how hard you are likely to work or push yourself to achieve your goals. On a scale of one to ten a coach will get you to number your commitment – one being not that committed and ten being strongly committed. In my book anything over 7 is a strong enough commitment. Your level of commitment will determine your outcome. If you have decided to focus on something that is just a fleeting interest for you at this point in time – what will your efforts achieve? If you’re not fully committed, you won’t give the goal the energy, time and effort required to achieve it. However, if you focus on something you really, truly desire, and take the steps to achieve that, through your choosing, success can come. When you are fully committed, you bring determination, focus, and hard work into the equation which keeps you motivated to achieve results. The greater the commitment, the more likely you are to achieve your goal.
With commitment though you must also be realistic. A coach will ask you questions such as How does the goal align with my values. Does it sit in my world? How much change will the achievement bring about and what change is required? These questions are asked in an effort to really get you thinking about what it is going to take to achieve your goals and how such efforts will affect your life and the people in your life – family and friends. How will all of the thing in your life align once your goal has been achieved, will everything be in harmony or will there be upset. These questions aren’t designed to put you off, but rather make sure you have thought about and evaluated all scenarios so you are ready for what may crop up on your path to achieving your goal.
A coach will ask you how badly you want to achieve the goal, what will life look like when you achieve it, how will you feel and whether it aligns with your values. Again these questions are designed to really get you thinking about what you want and why you want it. Commitment equates to the effort you are willing to put into achieving what you what.
Obstacles can and sometimes will arise. It is how we deal with these obstacles that will determine if we will achieve our goals. When we are fully committed to achievement, we can find ways to overcome any obstacle. We can also anticipate any obstacles that may arise so that when they do they don’t blind side us and knock us off course.
Most importantly, the process is about the client being honest themselves. If you’re willing to put the effort in you are more likely to achieve what it is you set out to achieve. If you’re not willing to do what it takes, then it will either take you far longer to achieve what you want or you risk never achieving what you want. A coach will always be real with you. There is no point in leading a client down the garden path talking about lovely dreams and goals. Planning, action and hard work is what is needed and is what will yield results. So think about your commitment instead of only focussing on what it is you want, then you are more likely to succeed.
By Ciara Ni Bhroin
