Blog Posts

Sometimes coaching clients struggle to make progress towards goals.  Many of us face challenges that seem insurmountable, leaving us feeling frustrated and stuck.  The last post was about SMART goal setting, but sometimes a SMART goal is not the answer.  Fortunately, there are other approaches to overcome obstacles and achieve success.

If a client is struggling, it may be time to take a step back and help them figure out why achieving that goal is difficult in the first place. Is it because a client lacks a specific skill or knowledge? Are old habits holding the client back from making progress? Or perhaps, is the client’s identity tied up with behaviors that are hindering growth? By helping the client identify the root cause of the problem, the coach can help the client develop a plan of action to overcome these challenges.

Sometimes a client needs new skills or knowledge to achieve their goals.  In this case, it is important for the client to probe into a topic and help the client identify steps to take to acquire needed skills.

Old habits can hold us back and certain contexts or situations may elicit undesired behaviors, limiting a client's potential. Coaches can help clients recognize triggers, identify strategies to break old patterns and replace undesired habits with newer more productive ones.

A mismatch between identity and goals can obstruct progress. If this is the case, clients need to consider steps can they can take to reframe their identity to align with their goals.

Even with the most carefully designed goal strategy a client can falter if due to lack of attention and bandwidth to implement the strategy. In this case, it is important for coaches and clients to determine effective strategies to prioritize client focus.

By examining each of these areas with a coach, clients can gain a deeper understanding of why achieving a particular goal is difficult. With this knowledge, coaches can work with clients to develop a plan of action to overcome obstacles.  It’s important to remember that there is no right answer or best way to reach a goal, so keep an open mind with your clients and try a new framework or perspective to be effective!