A Coaching Model Created by Mandy Ho
(Equilibrium Coach, PERU)
The 7-A Model provides a structured process to identifying clients’ goals, and working towards them. It starts at the top with Acceptance, and the cycle ends at Achievement. Depending on the individual client’s needs, they may be starting at a different point in the cycle.
The arrows going between steps are two-way arrows, indicating that this is not a strict one-way process. During any step in the cycle, a client may need to go back and re-evaluate the previous steps, for example it may be necessary to set a new goal if the client identifies that the priorities have changed.
In reality, the arrows can also skip steps and jump in various directions, which is not shown here in order to simplify the model.
1. Acceptance
Identify where you are today, and accept who you are today.
First step of the process is to understand your current situation. What are you happy with, and what are you not happy with? This is also a step to create awareness, if you are not fully aware of your feelings and emotions, we can explore them during this step.
2. Aim
Identify where you want to be.
Next is to aim for your target! We will identify your long term goal, if you have not already done so. More importantly, we will identify the intermediate aims that you need to achieve in order to arrive at the final goal. What are some of the milestones that you would like to hit? What would you like to accomplish? You may have a clear idea of what you want, or you may want to explore a little, in which case finding out what you really want will become one of your aims.
3. Analysis
Understand, understand, and understand.
In this step, we will work on understanding your situations, values, motivations, aspirations, anything we need to know about you in order to support you in this journey. We may evaluate whether the aims we have originally set are appropriate, and whether it is in line with your motivation. Your motivations and values serve as the drivers to help you achieve the goals.
4. Alternative
Identify and evaluate your options.
To start off this step, we will explore all the options that are available to you. We will stay away from all the “I can’t” and “That won’t work”, and just allow your imagination to run wild. This is a step that may take longer for some clients, as they take the time to research and educate themselves on the options available as well. Once you have a list of options, we will go back to reality and evaluate the feasibility, pros, and cons of each option in order to help you move forward.
5. Affirmation
Declare your decision, and make a commitment!
This is one of the most critical steps in the process, making a decision. You will choose the path that you want to take to achieve the goals that you have set. More importantly, this is where you make a commitment to yourself, and give yourself the confidence that you can do it.
6. Action
Create a plan of action.
In the next step of the process, we will create an action plan to help keep you on track to achieve your goals. The action plan will consist of smaller action steps, more regular and tangible milestones to get you started and create momentum. You will be accountable for your own actions, or inactions. The action plan will be a continuous evolving plan that will change and adapt depending on your progress and priorities.
7. Achievement
Reach your goal, and celebrate!
In the last step, you have reached your milestones or goals. It is important to pause and celebrate. Acknowledge yourself for what you have achieved, celebrate and feel the positive energy, and accept yourself as a success.