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The Ripple Effect
When we think of change, we might think we have to stop whatever it is we are doing and start something all together new. That isn't true. Often the greatest change can be made with small changes to what we are already doing. Tweaking our current behaviour is much easier to manage and maintain because it builds on the foundation we’ve already created.
Sometimes people set themselves up for failure by assuming they have to ditch everything they are doing and start all over again. The thought of starting from scratch can be so overwhelming that we never actually get started at all. A perspective client called me to discuss his complete lack of work/life balance, enthusiasm and commitment to his job. He had already decided that he needed a complete change of career. (Even, sheep farming in New Zealand was mentioned a couple of times). However, after just two sessions of coaching, he realised the change needn’t be so dramatic. By shifting his focus and clarifying what it was he actually wanted from his job, he was able to tweak the necessary areas, which gained him support, motivation and a real sense of control. He was so relieved. He had been paralysed for the past year thinking about all that was involved in changing careers, but now with the thought of just tweaking his current job, he has already made several changes and is on his way to doing his old job in a new way. What was wonderful to see, was the ripple effect this had on the rest of his life. When he’s at work, he focuses on his work and the things he is able to influence, with the aim of making his work life more enjoyable and satisfying. When he’s at home, he’s conscious about spending quality time with his family, because his head isn’t full of the career worries which were previously taking up the majority of his thoughts. The space that’s been freed up in his head has now been replaced with thinking up creative and fun things to do with his family at the weekends, and by his own admission this has helped him become a more relaxed individual and had a positive affect on his work. Which reminds me of one of my favourite quotes; “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at will change”.
So, when you think about change, it can be very effective to think small. Think of one or two things you could tweak in your life. Remember, our whole lives are made up of a series of habits that we created ourselves or habits we chose to copy from those around us. From the time you get up in the morning, the clothes you wear, what you eat and drink, to what you spend time and money on. Remember, if you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you always got. So if you want a different outcome you need to change what it is you’re doing. And if you want to change what it is you are doing…… just tweak it!
Coaching
The concept here is everything counts and even the smallest actions can add up to big results. Not to mention that small actions often cause ripple effects. Once you begin to tweak one area of your life it often runs over into other areas, helping to make a difference in different parts of your life that were unexpected, as illustrated with career change man. So it’s not necessary to think you have to change your life in a big way. Think of tweaking your life and building on what you already have or as the old Chinese proverb goes “It is better to walk slowly in the right direction”.
Coaching Question
Where could your life use a tweak or two?
Coaching Challenge
This week tweak just one thing in your life. Don't worry if it doesn't seem like a major change, it doesn't have to be major to have a big impact. Just choose something that you can stick with and in the long run (or slow walk), you will see a big difference.
Daily Success Formula
Current Life + Tweaks = The ripple effect
If you’d like to find out more about how working with a life coach could benefit your work-life balance please call Tracy or Darren Curtis on 0800 970 4849 or log onto www.cheshirecatcoaching.com
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