Are You Ready For Change?
7 Clear Signs You Need a Health Coach
Are you ready for change?
That’s the big question!
You might be familiar with what a health and wellness coach is and does. You might even know one in your life. Some health coaches specialize in a particular area of health based on training, background, life experience, and interest. Others may have integrative health training and background which allows them to coach in various areas that impact our health and well-being.
While coaching can suit anyone who feels ready for change, it is best suited for those who not only are ready to make some habit changes but are also open to and could benefit from support, structure, tools, and resources. Health and wellness coaches are guides through the journey of making behavior change. For some people this can include both personal and professional goals.
Here are 7 clear signs you’re ready for a health coach:
1) You need support on envisioning what you want.
Sometimes we know we want and need change in order to feel better, but we might not know what that tangible change is, what it looks like, or steps to get started. Often times, this requires assessments, inventories, and a skilled person to walk us through the discovery process. A coach can help with envisioning what we want, exploring options, planning, and coming up with action steps.
2) You could use support to get to your desired outcome and vision for optimal health.
You might have future goals in mind. You might have even been thinking about it for some time, but you haven’t achieved it, yet! A coach can offer motivation on how to get from point A to point B and offer the follow through support you need to get there. The best coaches have experience and skill training in motivational interviewing. Motivational Interviewing is defined as a collaborative conversation style for strengthening a person’s own motivation and commitment to change (Motivational Interviewing, by William R. Miller and Stephen Rollnick). It is a skillset and method to help facilitate change.
3) You could use an accountability partner.
A Coach is someone you meet with on a regular basis. Having someone that you’re accountable to, to report progress, setbacks, challenges, and successes can make all the difference. If you’re worried about time commitment, know that coaching does not have to be time consuming. In some cases, 20 minutes per session is enough.
4) You already know what area of your wellness you’d like to get started on.
Some common areas that health and wellness coaches support people through include mindfulness, physical activity, nutrition, relationships, rest/sleep, physical environment, mental/emotional wellness, spirituality, personal and professional development, and more. If you already know which area you’d like to focus on, then you might just be ready to make change.
5) You value feeling/looking well.
When I ask my clients: Why do you want to make change? What do you want your health for? Most, if not all, of my clients’ response is “For me!” Some add “for my kids” or “for my grandkids.” Whatever your reason for wanting to be well/ look well/ feel well, if you value your own health and well-being, you might be ready for change.
6) You Need help getting “unstuck.”
You might have tried a lot of things at different points in life to get to your desired goal(s). If you keep coming across barriers, challenges, or mental blocks and could use someone to troubleshoot with and get over that hump, you might need a health coach. A good health coach can help people explore ambivalence and reluctance to change. Be sure to be open to exploring your whole well-being: physical wellness, emotional wellness, spiritual wellness, etc.
7) You’re ready to be intentional about developing habits.
Developing current and new habits requires determination and intention. When a person is ready to make change, they need to feel ready to make change, know why they’re making change, tie changes to their vision of health and their values, and feel confident enough to take steps forward. All of this can be done with a support partnership in a coach. Know that a good coach will allow you to be the driver at all times, meaning you choose your desired goal and your own pace. A coach serves as a guide and partner.