Once client has resolved these issues, coach will help client move forward by helping client get a new perspective and a new definition of success that is authentic to him. Coach will do that by assisting client to formulate and find the perspective he feels comfortable with.
Finally, Coach aids client to restore a new vision of his goal and brainstorm possible actions to take in order to achieve it. Coach supports client through this process and assists client to reduce the feelings of guilt that may come in the way such as overwhelm, self-doubt, and guilt. In addition, coach helps client overcome the obstacles and challenges that may come in the way as well as keeping accountability through a weekly handout client needs to fill in which includes some questions on how the week went and how was the process and experience of reaching the goal. This little tool is very effective in keeping clients accountable and committed. Client needs to hand in the filled handout 2 days before next session takes place. Coach reviews it before the session and evaluates where client needs more help.
Questions and Activities Coach Uses to Help Client Move Forward Towards High-Achievement.
Below are some questions Coach uses to help client move from the perspective of perfection towards high-achievement:
- Is perfection attainable?
- What is the worst thing that can happen if you make a mistake?
- What are you afraid of?
- How can you make it better?
- What is more important to you, excellence or perfection?
- What does excellence mean to you?
- What small step can you take now that you feel comfortable taking that will bring you one step up the ladder towards being a high-achiever?
- Does the word “mistake” define who you are? Does it define what you can do?
- Is being inadequate true about you? Is it something someone else told you or made you believe that you are?
- How can you reframe it? How can you find a positive word to replace the word inadequate with a word you feel good about yourself?
- When you make a mistake what is the lesson you learn?
- How can you make it better next time?
- What does excellence mean to you?
Activities
- Think of ways you can excel in what you do. Think of what you are already good at. Make a list of it.
- Write down a list of all your accomplishment for this year.
- Write a vision of how you want your life to be.
- Write a list of strategies and actions you can take now to reach your goal. Remember to just brainstorm whatever comes into your mind. Choose 3 actions that you can take now and that are attainable.
Conclusion
To conclude, this tool is very effective tool to propel clients towards excellence and high-achievement. It helps clients come into an empowered place where they can achieve without putting so much pressure on themselves. This tool helps client put their focus on what works and towards achieving a goal rather than struggle to achieve something that is unattainable. In addition, it helps client see that being good at something allows “mistakes” and that life is a growth process, a place to grow and become better.
In this society, many of us have a false idea that perfectionism is excellence and it isn’t exactly this way. Perfectionism in the sense of striving to do and give the best of your potential is good , but if it gets transformed into an obsession and makes someone feel “not good enough” than it isn’t healthy for the individual who suffers from this anymore. When concentrating on using one’s potential to the maximum knowing your strengths and using them effectively is what we all should strive for. When concentrating on the process rather than the end result is what will bring all of us to the dreams we want to accomplish in life.
References
Douglas Bay, (2009), Being Creative and Self Critical, retrieved from http://www.creativity-portal.com
Martin M. Anthony PH.D. and Richard P. Swinson, MD (2009 ), When Perfect isn’t Good Enough, Strategies for Coping with Perfectionism, 2nd edition, New Harbinger Publications, Inc., California, retrieved from http://books.google.ca
Donna Toothhaker, (2012) Are you Perfectly stuck?, retrieved from http://ezinearticles.com
Garett Coan, (2011), Managing Your Perfectionism, retrieved from http://ezinearticles.com
Jillian Micheals, Unlimited, How to Build an Exceptional Life, New York, Crown Archetype, 2011
Douglas Eby, (May 2nd, 2012), Actors and Self-Esteem, retrieved from