“Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.

All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issue from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no many could have dreamt would come his way.” W.H. Murray

Introduction
When self-employed, you quickly learn that your actions shape your life. Whether you thrive is up to you, and your lifestyle is the result of the money you generate.

You have the right, the power, and the resources to create what you want. Begin by being clear and releasing fear, self-limiting attitudes and patterns. Allow yourself to visualize your dream, uncensored by the restrictions and conditioning from your past. Clarify your purpose, function, and vision, strategize the right plan, offer your service to those who are ready to buy, and you will succeed. Now you will begin with your Life Purpose Vision. If needed, ask your friend to help draw out your vision by asking additional probing questions based on your responses.

Complete this activity any time you want to:

– Focus your goals over a long period of time
– Clarify your purpose, function, or vision
– Review your long-term goals.

1. Purpose. What do you think is the fundamental purpose of your life? If you are not sure, what is your best guess? Your purpose should reflect why you believe you are alive for your own development, rather than for others.

2. Function. Based on your purpose, what do you think is your function in society?

3. Peak of Success Vision. In the same reflective mood, consider the point in your life at which you could be at the peak of your success. How old will you be? If you don’t know, be playful and guess.

Now, consider the quality of life you want for yourself at that time. Answer in complete sentences. Visualize how you want to be living and experience how you want to feel. Describe:

– Where you live
– Your home environment and the people with whom you live
– Service, career and business
– Financial matters
– Professional support network
– Family, friendships and other relationships
– Your spare time and private time
– Your personal needs, health and well-being
– Spirituality
– Your modes of creative self-expression
– How you are empowered
– Above everything else, what do you want from your life?

When you have finished your vision, using a planning chart, write the titles of each category above in the spaces provided. Identify key elements of your vision, then write them in abbreviated terms in the appropriate category.

4. Support. How do you believe you are supported to fulfill your purpose, function, and vision? When you want support, from where do you seek it? When you don’t feel supported, what do you do? Determine the effectiveness of this strategy. How do you want to feel supported? What will you do to experience the support you want?

5. Limitations. List and describe the self-limiting beliefs, fears, and patterns, by which you currently feel inhibited. (Example: I fear rejection, so I don’t reach out. and stay stuck.) How does this affect your ability to succeed? Identify what you are ready to change and explain how you will accomplish it. With what will you replace these limitations?

6. Shadow. What need, desire or aspect of personality, do you most suppress or fear? For example, do you fear your anger? Or do you suppress positive attributes, such as sensitivity or love. (If you are not sure, ask someone close to you for help.) Why do you suppress or fear this? Explain how suppressing this affects you. Determine how you will stop suppressing it, and how to allow greater freedom of expression, and describe how you will feel. Describe how your life purpose, function, and vision will be enhanced.

7. Resources. List your internal strengths and resources and explain how they empower you. Review this list. Determine if anything is missing, and how you will acquire it. List your external resources and, next to each, explain how it is supportive. Review your list and determine needed resources, and explain how you will utilize them. Include costs and dates when appropriate.

8. Conclusion. How do you feel now? Why? Describe what you have gained from this visioning. Write a commitment statement to yourself and to your purpose, function, and vision. Read it daily. Share it with your mentors and the people closest to you, so that they are better able to support you.

It’s been said that our life is comparable to a drop in the bucket. Although this may seem like an exaggeration, it is pretty close to the truth. While you may live to the ripe old age of 100, you could just as easily die tomorrow. There are no guarantees in this life. Sometimes you don’t always have as much time as you would like. This is why you must live every day like it was your last.

To live a fulfilling life, we must make the most of every minute. What can be done about this? Most people still have to work and support their basic needs. I’m not saying go to work and quit your job tomorrow. Even though you probably wouldn’t go to work if you knew you had only one day to live, this is not a wise move. Your life actually will be cut short if you don’t have food on the table. However, you can live with the right attitude no matter what you do on a daily basis.

Even if you have the most mundane job on the planet, do that job like you will never do it again. Focus on each task with the concentration that it deserves. Not only will you do your work better, but you will be much more productive. When you are productive, it comes with what is known as a “psychic income”. This is that good gut feeling that you get with a job well done. Would you want people to remember you as a clock-puncher that just coasted through life? Of course not! Be remembered as the leader! If you live this way it will not be long before you have what you really want out of life. It will always work out if you live this way. Promotions will be won. Relationships will be wonderful. It is truly a beautiful way to live.

When you leave home in the morning, don’t ever say anything that would not be considered good final words. Would you want your spouse to remember that the last conversation you had was a fight about money? No way! Always tell the people you love how you feel about them.

In every situation, make the most of the minutes that you have left on this planet. No one knows the hour or the day that they will leave. However, they can control their attitude in any given situation. Make the best of your situation and live like you were dying.

What do you mean by coaching?

Coaching that is undertaken professionally can be defined as a relationship that is shared between the coach who has certain qualifications and a particular individual or even a group. Coaching is done in order to achieve particular goals that have been set beforehand. Coaching helps people to concentrate on their inner skills and talents. It is these skills that will enhance the personal and professional life of people.

Do you need coaching?

In order to find out if you are in any need of coaching, make a list of your expectations from coaching. If you know what you want through the process of coaching, it will definitely prove to be invaluable. It will contribute in achieving your desired goals. You will have to consider if you are in need of a third person’s point of view. Find out if you need a new opinion about your life.

Does coaching have any advantages?

With the help of coaching, a completely new light can be thrown on different aspects of personal as well as professional life. Coaching will contribute in making effective decisions. The capability of thinking will be enhanced. Coaching can improve interpersonal abilities. And an increase in confidence is an undoubted advantage of taking up personal coaching. The level of productivity can increase multifold through coaching. It will help in bringing about satisfaction in the personal as well as professional lives.

Why has the coaching industry grown so much?

Coaching has proved itself to be an invaluable instrument in tackling the various challenges that have emerged in the professional and personal world in recent years. Small size of businesses has increased in number. And even the percentage of self employed people has gone up. The professional environment itself has changed drastically. The terms of employment contracts have undergone tremendous alterations.

Why would you need coaching?

The need for coaching may arise owing to various grounds. There may be an objective you want to accomplish but don’t know how to. You may be falling short on your level of confidence, your interpersonal skills and relevant information. You may need to speed up the rate at which you work in order to achieve desired outcomes. You may have experienced a life changing situation and need to start afresh. Your style may not be appropriate in achieving your objectives.

These are some of the FAQs regarding coaching.