This question usually brings on the automatic response YES! I mean you did decide to contact a coach whether for fitness, nutrition or business and your ready to drink the magic “kool-Aid”. You’ve signed the papers, you’ve paid your fees you’re ready… But are you? Did you consider all the things you might have to let go of and change? Did you consider how difficult change is? Are you ready to be under a magnifying glass? Are you really ready to be vulnerable?As a strength and conditioning coach new athletes are always the easiest at the start! They have watched the best of the best and they generally have little knowledge and are ready to absorb everything you say like a sponge. Things start to click and personal bests are happening daily. We know as an experienced athlete personal bests are a lot harder to find. Our coaches step in to give us cues and corrections and here’s where we find out if your actually coachable… Your response.
This is where we need to be vulnerable and OPEN.
Do you lead with “I know But…” “I can’t” “I Know but its Hard”, Are you quick to tell your coach you know better but heres your reason your not doing it?? As a nutrition coach I find the push back at the start. Usually the first couple weeks, things like “It’s hard” “I don’t know” “Im trying But” “I don’t have time” We don’t want to make excuses we are generally trying to express why we do feel like we are doing what we are doing, However lets stop for a second, IF what you were doing in your fitness training or nutrition was working so well for you… Why are you here?
This is where we need to be vulnerable and OPEN. Instead of searching for the “Buts” take a second to stop and remember your success is your coaches success. We are here to help! The day you signed up is the day your coach became invested. We become SO invested that we are constantly wanting to jump in and do things for you! I wish I could just push my athletes on top of the rings, or food prep for my clients but I can’t. Thats on them! Their work, their effort. Your work… YOUR effort.
Knowing you need coaching and being coachable are two completely different things.
If you haven’t personally met me, I’m always right, I do things on my own, mostly the hard way, But I’ll get there. I’m working on it. I’m working on understanding and accepting I don’t know it all, but I have time to research, read, take courses and learn. I have learnt to network with multiple groups of experts and I am constantly asking for help and taking in every ounce of advice. Truthfully this couldn’t have happened until I stopped and took responsibility for my own stubborn ways and lack of ability to be coached or taught. I have admit to myself that I need help is some areas of life, business and fitness and I am not ashamed to ask for it.(Anymore) It’s not always easy but the growth I have made has been worth it.
If your struggling with this yourself here are a couple of ways to deal with change
- Remind yourself that change is good
- Admit you do not know everything
- Acknowledge change can be overwhelming and difficult
- Open up to your coach or individual you trust about your feelings
- Instead of saying “I know but” say things like “Thanks I will try that” “Do you have any other tips to help break that habit” “I’m going to try and work on that”
- Be committed and patient with changes and the process
- Take time to self reflect and choose to be happy
Knowing you need coaching and being coachable are two completely different things. Working on changing your mindset to welcome help and embrace the process at whatever your working towards will become much more enjoyable. Your coach is there for you, you are a team! When it gets tough, remember why you started, how far you have come, and how far you can go.