Personal Change Based on Attitudes - Essay Example

Reflective Essay Name: Institution: Reflective Essay Introduction More often, people are inclined to various perceptions regarding life and other concepts that may render them unable to perform various tasks. In this case, practitioners recommend coaching to people with elevated conditions that ensures controlled response as well as proper decision-making. It is possible to identify with a number of people who have made significant changes in their personal lives enabling them to live fulfilling lives. Therefore, it is important that once people identify with poor habits that may prevent realization of objectives and dreams they need to implement change. However, different people respond differently when exposed to various changes especially one that influences their daily operations. In this case, practitioners refer to a variety of coaching activities that highlight strategic guidelines to enable the affected transition from an undesired habit to a better life. Most of the personal changes people make involves their careers, behavior, attitudes, beliefs and character. Therefore, choosing a corresponding coaching plan related to the personal change issue proves to be a move in the right direction if people desire complete change. Discussion Identification and explanation of a personal change Personal change based on attitudes often shapes the ability of people to think differently depending on activities and elements presented before them. Among the personal changes, that I have identified as challenging is the over thinking attitude in all aspects of life particularly the future. This characteristic often renders me unable to make up my mind on serious big decisions of my life, which at times leads to negative thought. People often ignore their ability to think about aspects of their lives that may result to negative or positive futures (Luciani, 2010). Arguably, people who have been identified as over thinkers especially on matters that affect their well-being and health often fail to consider the minor aspects associated with the condition. Therefore, they are likely to overlook issues that are more relevant while trying to fulfill personal desires in the end. In most cases, thinking is associated with circumstances, events and promises that could be and in the end too many far out thoughts racing through your head may disorientate the mind in terms of making rash decisions. When people think too much, they fail to consider the implications of acting on certain situations. Regularly, thinking ensures that people consume extra energy that is translated in the brain and preventing them from making concise decisions based on the factual elements. For instance, my friends identified that I think too much about things that will happen in the future. The outcomes from present decisions seem to control most of my thoughts derailing my ability to evaluate the current situations. Sometimes, over thinking hinders my ability to concentrate on building my future, as I seem to consider my friends and family. Although it proves to be a positive trait, it all draws back to what people make of their lives (Luciani, 2010). Therefore, I intend on considering personal change particularly in the aspect of over thinking. Arguably, psychologists have found that over-thinking can be detrimental to performance, and lead to anxiety and depression. To prevent the expansion of the condition, personal change through coaching proves to be an effective method of approach considering the gradual development and altering process that is involved. Constant movement from one character, behavior and attitude involves an internal and external experience while seeking change. Personal change from over thinking is likely to begin in the mindset as it shapes the control the various obstacles in life (Luciani, 2010). In this case, desire for personal change will help me manage the uncertainty of over thinking and considering other people over personal desires. Coaching And The Six Key Themes Of Coaching Coaching is defined as the method through which instructors help people unlock their minds and expand their potential. However, while helping people change their attitudes and behaviors, practitioners often employ theories and models that will help affected people concentrate more on positive change (Phan, 2008). Life coaches evaluate the various aspects of an affected person and analyze the situation to determine the most desirable and effective coaching theory that will yield positive results. In some cases, there are difficult decisions that I have to make the coaching process to prove effective. To understand the importance of coaching, practitioners identify with six themes. They include approaches to understand the context of change, envisioning of the future, engaging in constant strategic dialogue that fosters change, aligning personal objectives with the strategic change challenges, reflecting on the assumptions regarding change and developing a learning approach that proves effective in maintaining positive change after the process. Importance Of Developing A Clear Definition Of Coaching It is important to develop a clear definition of coaching if any person who desires change is to succeed. Owing to the fact that the contemporary society is changing across different avenues, people need to adapt to change particularly on a personal level. Although over thinking sometimes offer a unique approach towards issues and life aspects, it derails people from understanding the implications of issues in the short run (Phan, 2008). Therefore, once people cultivate a positive approach towards coaching and view it as a benefit other than a mandatory and forced process, they are likely to gain more from the procedure. Influences On Coaching Although coaching proves to be an effective method of actualizing change, it is possible that it is influenced by a variety of factors. For instance, the external environment that provides a background position for the change process proves to be an accelerating or derailing factor. Personal goals and actualization in the future seems to affect the ability of people to change behavior and attitudes (Phan, 2008). For instance, vocations and work related activities might not favor the ability of the person to achieve change therefore influencing the ability of the coach in terms of delivery. Similarly, coaches are influenced by the desire to encounter personal growth, excellence, a right and good purpose and meaning in life and knowledge. Psychotherapy, Counseling, Consulting And Mentoring Although some people may associate coaching with other disciplines such as counseling, psychotherapy and mentoring, the various concepts prove to be different. For instance, psychotherapy involves treatment for mental disorder different from coaching that involves stimulating change for various characteristics (Ives, 2008). Counseling involves offering psychological help to people through advice on the alternative forms of approach on various situations. Consulting involves while mentoring involves offering guidelines to people who display a certain level of expertise in the situation. Although the concepts may be different, they advocate for the betterment and wellness of the person. Importance Of Informed Practitioner Model And Evidenced-Based Practice Informed practitioner model in coaching involves engaging the person in activities that will assist them change certain behaviors through acquired experience. In this case, the coach is likely to implement all the skills and competencies that have been learnt during the vocational and formal education process to ensure actualization is met. Therefore, the process ascertains the patient of effective and desirable processes to the achievement of goals (Ives, 2008). The evidence-based practices ensure that the coach implements theories and models of personal change through factual basis on previous procedures. Although this method lacks the assurance of effectiveness, coaches learn different forms of approach from different people. Proposed a Coaching Plan To counter the behavior of over thinking that often leads to personal undervalued decisions, a coaching plan proves to be a strategic method of approach. The initial step is to identify a credible, professional and reliable coach. In the plan, it is important to understand the concept of identifying the scope of change that involves determining the desirable change, the purpose, outcome and process (Ives, 2008). In this case, the change I want to make is to eliminate the possibility of over thinking particularly regarding the future and focus on the present. The purpose of change is because I often end up placing my happiness before others that undervalues my objectives. The outcome is that I want to feel stronger and more confident while handling the tasks that are presently offered other than focusing on the future implications. Similarly, I want to feel happy for the decisions that I make despite the fact that they may affect others positively. An implementation process guided by a coach proves to be the most effective way of actualizing the plan. An initial step is to accept that over thinking is a personal issue that requires change. In this case, I am able to reflect more on the implications once I over think especially in my life. Therefore, I can focus more on avoiding situations and people that foster over thinking such as friends and family (Munton & West, 1995). Through the help of the coach, I will be able to evaluate the past, present and future situations relating them with necessity. Through a self-awareness procedure, I will be able to determine what to avoid. Secondly, the coach will assist in distracting my attention to things I consider a future threat. Similarly, it will be much efficient to document any thoughts in place of thinking that may go overboard. Once I become overwhelmed with thoughts, I can think about the bigger picture to help my mind relax. The plan will be in progress for about six months and will be disregarded based on the improvement status identified by the respective coach. A critique of the role of goals and clarity of direction when planning change Goals are desires that people wish to fulfill once they seek out satisfaction. Often, people’s goals are aligned with their vocation and ability to meet their desires through displaying a variety of skills and competencies. In some cases, personal change is influenced by the goals that people desire to achieve through the alignment process. By connecting the goals, people are able to design a chart or timetable that highlights the levels of achievement in terms of personal change as well as self-fulfillment (Munton & West, 1995). Therefore, it is important to identify the roles that goals play through defining their status in terms of complementary nature or mutual exclusivity. Through this process, it is possible to make decisions, set priorities and commit to actualizing various goals. It offers a roadmap towards success that is segmented into components and stages. However, once the personal goals collide with the desired changes, it is likely that the person fails to achieve complete change. Clarity of direction also proves to be a major aspect that affects the achievement of personal change through coaching. Often, people understand coaching as an instructional process that seeks to undermine the ability to achieve change. In this case, they fail to implement energy and confidence owing to the blurred clarity that is offered during the initial stages of the change process (Orem, Binkert & Clancy, 2011). Personal change on over thinking requires energy and confidence that is acquired through understanding that such changes are associated with positive outcomes. Although some aspects of life may be irrelevant such as over thinking, the possibility that it is relevant based on the future implications posed. Therefore, clarity of direction when planning change helps people adjust regularly to various conditions. Analysis of Personal Experience of Change My personal experience during personal change proves to be quite intriguing considering all that was at stake. I was forced to abandon the perceived over thinking process especially regarding the future. In this case, the coach applied a number of theories and models of behavioral change that reflected positively all through the process. Initially, it was difficult to come to terms with the fact that thinking about others will create personal happiness and satisfaction and I had to focus on self-fulfillment (Orem, Binkert & Clancy, 2011). Often, thoughts regarding the likelihood that my peers and friends might be suffering because of the decisions I made to make me happy haunted my conscience. However, through the process I realized that as I focused on improving my character and myself in the present, I was able to focus more on the goals and objectives for the future being achieved in the present. I realized that it was a negative habit, which affected my ability to perform. Time wastage was among the concepts that were notable from the negative behavior of over thinking. I also identified that the goals, coach and theories applied play a significant role in the actualization process. It takes extensive zeal and effort to accept and realize that over thinking is a negative attribute that requires change. Relevance of Theories and Techniques of Coaching The theories and techniques of coaching employed prove to be relevant considering the scope of effects and outcomes that are displayed by the person. Solution focused techniques as applied to counter the over thinking process concentrated on the best alternatives that are evident for such people. The concept is based on identifying the most effective solution compared to the procedural aspect that conforms to a variety of strategies. Nonetheless, theories applied in coaching ensure that the person adheres to the gradual changes by offering a challenge after one is complete (Barner & Higgins, 2007). In this case, the over thinking behavior needs to be abandoned through avoidance therefore requiring the person to maintain focus on alternative thoughts. The evidence-based theories prove to be relevant when dealing with concepts that have been proven to contain significant effect. For instance, the notion that over thinking causes various disorders can be approached through the evidence-based theories. Conclusion Personal change is a concept that has been considered effective especially when dealing with negative and undesirable behavior. Among the activities that have been associated to accelerate the possibility of personal change, include the coaching aspect. Coaches often provide instructional guides to people who desire personal change by implementing a variety of theories and models of change. Change in some cases requires careful and concise approach owing to the possibility of fallbacks and withdrawal effects that are imminent. I sought personal change through coaching to change my over thinking behavior that was notably high considering the action to value my friends happiness over my satisfaction. I realized that I over thought about the future, which impaired my ability to handle present tasks. The experience acquired during the coaching process is quite fascinating owing to the likelihood that I am now a better person. References Barner, R., & Higgins, J. (2007). Understanding implicit models that guide the coaching process. Journal of Management Development, 26(2), 148-158. Ives, Y. (2008). What is ‘coaching’? An exploration of conflicting paradigms. International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring, 6(2), 100-113. Luciani, J. J. (2010). The Power of Self-Coaching: The Five Essential Steps to Creating the Life You Want. John Wiley & Sons. Munton, A. G., & West, M. A. (1995). Innovations and personal change: Patterns of adjustment to relocation. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 363-375. Orem, S. L., Binkert, J., & Clancy, A. L. (2011). Appreciative coaching: A positive process for change. John Wiley & Sons. Phan, H. P. (2008). Predicting change in epistemological beliefs, reflective thinking and learning styles: A longitudinal study. British journal of educational psychology, 78(1), 75-93. Read More