This particular subject is something as a person and Life coach I am particularly passionate about!

About five years ago I found myself in a place where I was about to change direction in my work place (from nurse to life coach). I had a period of 12 months without work and at that time needed to sign on for benefits. I noticed it was a very demoralising time and my self esteem was rather low.

I had seen a life Coach some years previously and wanted to re-train myself, so I  knew all the facts of what I needed to do to help myself but because I was not in a great space I noticed I procrastinated when it came to ACTIONS.
 
As a life coach I work with clients on what they want and how to achieve those things, I would like to share some of the TOOLS that anyone can apply (tried and tested my me!)
I noticed I was looking at the bigger picture of all the difficulties in my life and sort of "lumped them together" this not only made me feel bad about my circumstances it made me not know where to start on the SOLUTION trail!

I had learnt that a great tool is to write down exactly what the problems are (perhaps in a list). Have a look at which one is the PRIORITY problem and KEEP FOCUSED on what you CAN do to improve that ONE area (then methodically work through the rest in the same way)

This is a great technique as it allows you to feel more in control of that area rather than be SWAMPED down with the "bigger picture".

I spent some time discussing with friends and family what suggestions they had and put a (simple) plan together on how I could achieve my goal, and COMMITTED TO DOING THE ACTIONS.

FACT: One ounce of action is greater than one ton of theory!
 
It is always good to decide at the onset what SPECIFICALLY you want to improve in that area.

TOOL 2 - SMART
 
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Timetable
 
The above are ESSENTIAL if any goal is to be achieved and all 5 need a tick next to them for it to work, so here goes scenario 1!

Imagine I am a trained Gardner.
 
 I want a job as a gardener and have paid work in London with 15 clients by 1st Jan 2010.
 
As you can see I have ticked the "specific" box nicely (gardener)
I have said I want it by 1st Jan 2010 (ticked the timetable box)
I AM already a GREAT qualified gardener (ticked the achievable box)
The measurable box will be ticked when I get to that date and I've achieved it.
BUT I live in Scotland and don't really want to move so ............................ the realistic box has a cross in it (meaning it ain't gonna happen!)
 
Hope fully you get the picture.
 
Give it a go and put the above to the test, its not rocket science and REALLY does work.