Key to success
What was the reason to include coaching on the reVupSpiritz platform? How much does it help to achieve health or fitness? Why did we think to offer business coaching?
Maybe a little self-sharing is called for.
About 3 years back, I started my fitness journey seriously. Got many desired outcomes and beyond. What was the magic? Yes – diet and exercise were key. But there was something else which was a game changer, according to me – and that was the constant coaching and mentoring.
I think if I have to put it in words, it helped me in,
- Goal setting
- Actioning
- Prioritising
- Sustaining
And I feel these four can be key for anything in life – like if you are trying to be fit (like me) or you are trying to learn new skill or you are attempting your own endeavours.
Goal Setting
When I think about goal setting, the visual that comes to mind is parable about Arjun and the bird’s eye that we have grown up hearing. A very clear target – it was precise, specific, unwavering – so much so that he blocked everything else out.
Two things played a key part here, I think –
First, his mentor/coach (or guru) instructions where his mind surrendered – no questions asked – no doubts. Usually, our mind questions – can I dot it? Is it possible? What if….? But if we are one with the mentor, these do not arise to corrupt our focus. The 50% battle is won there itself
Second, his own intention and determination – I will do it. With this utterance to himself, I think the entire body, mind, soul focus was on the bird’s eye and then his entire capability and potential started to work in that direction.
So once a goal is set, the universe starts to work in that direction, is what I feel.
Overcoming obstacles
Actioning is THE important step in your journey towards the outcome; to reach the goal you have set. The single most key that can make or break your success.
Imagine you want to eat. Everything is done – you cook best meal as decided, it is laid out in front of you, it smells amazing, it’s the right time and you are hungry – but you do not pick up the morsel and put in your mouth (actioning) how are you going to feed yourself.
Similarly, actioning is what will lead you to your goal. Otherwise, goal is equal to dreams (the ones in your sleep). Many things can come in the way of actioning, some not so obvious ones are – fear, lethargy, discomfort, pride, habits.
Check out if any of these ring a bell –
- Fear of failure (what will they say)
- Lethargy or inertia to change (learning the new)
- Inertia to get out of comfort zone (I am good here)
- Holding to false pride (I know all)
- Stuck to old habits (difficult to unlearn)
A coach or mentor’s role is most important here to help tackle all of above.
Power of choosing & prioritising
Once you have decided and actioned the new steps, a new path, a new direction you will have to constantly keep choosing those over other things. These could be your old habits, old patterns, earlier comforts.
So, Priotising is a CHOICE. Every time, every place, every situation.
Choosing your goal every time.
In a finer way, you choose to do something over something else available to you. It could be –
- choosing to skip junk vs eating at a friend’s birthday (an easy way)
- choosing to speak up vs continuing to avoid (an old pattern)
- choosing to go to gym vs watching tv at home (an old habit)
- choosing to go ahead with own venture vs going back to job (a comfort zone)
For the initial part of this journey, coach/mentor definitely is your buddy. S/he is someone who will force, block, coerce, request, plead – do everything in her/his power – to keep you pointed in the right direction – the one towards your goal.
Power of choosing & prioritising
I have finished a 2+ years of my new fitness regime, healthy way of living. I have sustained it for the first time in my life – my health weight (11 kgs down), my healthy new habits (gym-ming). Is that the end of the road? Definitely not – it’s the beginning of it.
Sustaining what you have achieved is like beginning the ascent, according to me. It’s like the trek up your new mountain. Its like the take-off of your new plane. Its like riding/surfing the new wave.
Can you imagine the way? All uphill (and you thought you are done 😊).
Yes, sustaining is what will seal the deal. It is the stuff you hear of when people are endowed for their achievements. You can bet they have put weeks, months, years into their goal that they had decided in the very beginning.
Visualise this –
- The sculpted body of a body builder – the result of his/her sustained fitness of a decade or more perhaps
- The 5-star rating of a restaurant – the result of her/his sustained effort to keep going with own business for years
- The best-selling author this year – the result of his/her sustained go at writing one after the other over the years
Sustaining process is like one drop, one day, one step every day, every time and the ocean will build up, the mountain peak will be conquered, the heights will be reached. Hope you have somebody in your life to help you understand this.