Power Tool: Helplessness vs. Resourcefulness

Inner Resources

Outer Resources

As reflection for the client, the first question could involve a listing of the inner and outer resources.

1. Which is more important to you?
2. Which do you spend the most time developing?

Then the client could discuss examples of this prioritization and development. For example, if you work at a job because you need the money, but the work doesn’t challenge or inspire you, then you’re devoting a lot of time to acquiring outer resources while investing little in your inner resources. On the other hand, if you’re going to school to acquire knowledge and skills, you’re building your inner resources while investing little in your external resources.

The coaching process can also include looking at the key differences between where the client is placing emphasis, as there are some key differences between inner and outer resources:

COACHING APPLICATION

Coaching objectives for a perspective shift would include asking the client to explain their feeling of helplessness, as well as what facts or beliefs surround that.

Questions about resources can be explored, and then the coach may get a sense for whether or not the client is ready to explore a shift into resourcefulness, which is equal parts mindset and practical actiontaking. One tool that could be used effectively is to rely upon a ‘helpless’ thought as a trigger for a positive affirmation about resourcefulness. For instance, if the client explains that he or she has frequent negative thoughts about their ability to exercise personal control, the client could be engaged to design an affirmation:

Each time I say the sentence ________________ (relating to helplessness), I will instead firmly repeat to myself, “From now on, I am going to be _____________” (trait of resourcefulness) or “I am bright, capable, creative, and resourceful with __________” (relating to situation at hand).

The next phase of coaching would include exploring resourcefulness and further cementing the value of the perspective shift. As clients develop resourcefulness, their ability to meet challenges in a variety of ways further stimulates their creative intelligence.

Other positive byproducts that the client can be encouraged to discuss are:

1. learning to trust their instincts and unique abilities;
2. acquiring a positive attitude to problem solving;
3. fully engaging as a confident and industrious citizens;
4. tapping into the multitude of joys that life has to offer.

Coaches can stimulate imaginative, independent thoughts by posing questions to clients.

Such questions may deemphasize perfection, facilitate playful thinking, accumulate solutions, and propose mix-and-match approaches, such as:

REFLECTION FOR COACHES

1. What inner resources do you have?
2. What outer resources do you value?
3. How have you utilized inner resources to achieve important goals?
4. Describe a time when you have felt helpless and how you handled it.
5. What is one way you continue to grow in resourcefulness (studying, listening, exploring)?