You could be hurting your progress without this

photo credit: Rev. Xanatos Satanicos Bombasticos (ClintJCL) via photopin cc

As every school year comes to an end kids are coming home with report cards. How did that time of year make you feel: anxious or excited? You either had grades of praise or grades that sparked a deeper parent/child conversation. Now that we’re older you may get a progress or performance report at work that states how you have been doing at your job. If you’re lucky enough you’ll also get some time with your boss or supervisor who explains your review. Again maybe it makes you feel anxious or excited, but at least you know where you stand.

In life, who gives us grades and reports on how we are living? 
Who tells us how we are progressing? 
And who would be able to review how well we are doing at our life purpose?
You? 
Can you do that with full honesty and be unbiased?

In coaching we call this the hard truth: either asking the hard questions that bring out the real and honest answers or stating what we see is true for our clients. 

Asking the questions to get the hard truth: 
The reality is we don’t stop long enough to even ask the easy questions. We’re busy doing things. Following our schedule. Even if we had the time most people wouldn’t ask the hard questions because the answers scare us.  We know what could come out or at least the feeling behind it. 

• That longing for something more.  
  
• That icky feeling of knowing you’re not fully satisfied. 
  
• That small spark for something you were once passionate about.
  

Saying the hard truth:
Someone tells you honestly how they see something even if it may hurt you. It’s the truth. Often what we’re ignoring. But when a friend or family member says it, it’s hard to see it as a kind thing to do. The issue is that time and time again we don't want to hurt someone or we don't think it's our place to say anything. So we don't and our friend continues to go down the same path, completely unaware.

So then how do you do it? How do you get to the point where you can find the hard truth and turn it around to bring satisfaction into every area of your life?

You get a coach to do it.  

I don’t usually write a lot about what I do as a coach, but what I’ve been finding is that what I do isn’t always clear. Especially because there are so many aspects to what a coach does. So many reasons why people hire a coach. And so many possible results that our clients enjoy.

Asking the hard truth is just one tool of hundreds that I have in my belt. Also, it can be used in one of the three principles I was trained to use or in a mix of all three. 

Well enough coach training talk! Back to why you should care about the hard truth.

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Life is short. Not knowing your truth or being asked these questions means you don’t know. As kids or at work we know. And while knowing or hearing it can be difficult or emotional it does help us reset our course. Like a plane who is off course 90% of the time, consistently resetting your course means you’ll land at your destination.

Not knowing where you’re at does catch up to you. One day it could just smack you in the face with a situation you’re now in or one that you’ve missed. I have my own hard truth that I have faced.  Taking it in small bites is easier to swallow. The beauty is that the hard truth could be that you’re rocking it! But until you’re asked you don’t know.

I'd like to ask you those questions. Want me to? If you're ready I have three 1:1 coaching spots out of 12 that are now available. These only open up a few times a year, so for those serious about getting clarity, results and increasing satisfaction, I'd like to talk to you. We'll chat to see if we're a fit.  I'm looking for committed women who are ready to make some movement. Let me know if that's you.

xo
Diane