Gather Your Support System For Success

Support Is An Asset 

“People who support a client’s intentions are assets; people who do not support their intentions are liabilities.” - American Council of Exercise: Coaching Behavior Change.

That sentence is in my coaching manual as one of the first lessons in preparing our clients for their journey. This lesson is even before the chapter on goal setting! It lets you know how important a support system is in setting yourself up for success. 

So, before my coaching clients and I even begin to plan goals or action steps, I help them understand who their support system is and how they will call on it during their journey.

Why?

Because change is hard! It sucks sometimes, even when the change is something good for you, like becoming more active. The transformation journey to health isn’t always a beautiful, serene picture that you see on social media. There are plenty of moments of tears, fears, frustrations, falling off track, days of not feeling like it, and times of being tempted to quit. I am not saying these things to be a negative nelly; I am saying these things to remind you that you are human, and you are going to need support when you face these moments, and you will.

How Do We Figure This Out?

Take your time to answer the following questions.

• Who could support you as you take steps toward your goal?

For example, if your goal is to get more active, think of someone who would love to go for a walk with you. When you want to quit, who do you know that will listen and put things into perspective? If you can't think of anyone, know that this coach is here and happy to support your healthy choices!  Make a list of your people!

• How can you respond to those who discourage you?

I know the easy answer is to say, “I would tell them to go somewhere. I don’t need that negativity in my life.” However, sometimes you can’t always cut people out of your life. You may work with them, and you may even be related to them! Usually, when someone says something discouraging, it is coming from their own limited beliefs about their own life. Rather than letting that person get to you, empower yourself and practice how you will respond to someone if you hear something discouraging.

• Is there anything you can delegate?

Ask for help! I had to learn the hard way to do this, let me tell you! I tried to do everything on my own and crashed and burned from exhaustion, so don’t do that! Take a look at your to-do list and see if there is something you could delegate. Maybe it is something small, like asking your spouse to pick up a salad on the way home so you get your greens in. It could be an 

investment like hiring a professional Health Coach to support you by having reliable resources on hand and keeping you accountable.  (I just thought I would plug myself in there! :) )

What Next? 

After establishing your systems, take a moment to reflect and be grateful that you are not on this journey alone. Feel how much better and more prepared you feel! Now go out there and take that first action step, knowing you have support!