Be Your Own Success Coach
- Tom Moore
- Mar 19
- 5 min read
Okay, so not everyone can afford a Success Coach. I get it. There is an alternative, which is not quite as expedient and effective, but it can help. Self-coaching is guiding and improving yourself using personal reflection, self-awareness, and structured techniques to achieve personal or professional growth. It involves taking responsibility for your development, setting clear goals, holding yourself accountable, and using strategies to overcome obstacles without relying on an external coach. Self-coaching can be transformative to personal growth and development if applied with discipline. Here are some benefits:
1. Self-Awareness
Increased Insight: Self-coaching helps you understand your strengths, weaknesses, and motivations, leading to increased self-awareness.
Personal Accountability: You take responsibility for your growth, which can lead to more meaningful and lasting changes.
2. Cost-Effective
Affordable: Unlike professional coaching, self-coaching doesn't incur any costs, making it accessible to everyone.
Flexible: You can tailor your self-coaching process to fit your schedule and needs.
3. Empowerment
Confidence Building: Setting and achieving your goals can boost your confidence and sense of accomplishment.
Autonomy: You become more independent and capable of making decisions without relying on external guidance.
4. Continuous Improvement
Adaptable: Self-coaching allows you to constantly adjust your goals and strategies based on your progress and changing circumstances.
Lifelong Learning: It fosters a mindset of continuous growth and learning, which can be beneficial in all areas of life.
5. Enhanced Problem-Solving
Critical Thinking: Self-coaching encourages you to analyze problems and develop solutions independently, improving your critical thinking skills.
Resilience: Overcoming challenges through self-coaching can increase your resilience and ability to handle future obstacles.
There are some key aspects of Self-coaching to consider:
Self-awareness – Understanding your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Goal Setting – Defining clear, achievable objectives.
Self-Reflection – Evaluating progress and learning from experiences.
Problem-solving – Identifying challenges and creating strategies to overcome them.
Mindset Management – Cultivating a growth mindset and overcoming limiting beliefs.
Accountability – Holding yourself responsible for your actions and progress.
Self-coaching can help in various areas, such as career development, health and wellness, personal relationships, or financial management. It's about building habits that help you continuously improve and stay on track with your aspirations. Here are some tips and exercises I hope you find helpful:
1. Develop Self-Awareness
Exercise:
Keep a daily journal to track thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Reflect on questions like:
What went well today?
What could I have done better?
What patterns do I notice in my thoughts or actions?
2. Set Clear Goals
Exercise:
Set goals using the SMART method (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
Example: Instead of "I want to be healthier," say, "I will exercise for 30 minutes, 4 times a week for the next month."
Many of us are familiar with the SMART methodology of goal setting. Anne-Laure Le Cunff introduces the PACT approach in her book Tiny Experiments if you're more of a non-linear mindset. Anne-Laure Le Cunff's PACT approach to goal setting is a flexible, sustainable alternative to traditional goal-setting frameworks like SMART goals. PACT focuses on continuous progress rather than rigid targets, making it particularly useful for creative and knowledge-based work. The acronym PACT stands for:
Purposeful – Goals should align with your values and long-term aspirations, ensuring they are meaningful and intrinsically motivating.
Actionable – Instead of focusing on distant outcomes, PACT emphasizes daily or regular actions within your control.
Continuous – Goals should support constant learning and improvement, fostering habits rather than one-time achievements.
Trackable – Progress is monitored through tracking efforts rather than just measuring results, making it easier to stay consistent without feeling discouraged.
An example of a PACT goal: Goal: Becoming a better writer.
Purposeful: Writing aligns with my long-term ambition of sharing ideas and improving communication skills.
Actionable: I will write for 30 minutes daily, focusing on personal reflections, articles, or creative storytelling.
Continuous: Instead of aiming to "publish a book" by a specific date, I focus on developing my writing habits and refining my skills over time.
Trackable: I will track my writing sessions in a journal or an app, noting what I worked on and any reflections on my progress.
While not as linear as a SMART goal, this approach encourages sustainable productivity by shifting the focus from rigid deadlines and outcomes to consistent, meaningful action.
3. Identify and Challenge Limiting Beliefs
Exercise:
Write down a self-limiting belief (e.g., "I'm not good enough to get promoted.").
Challenge it by asking:
Is this absolutely true?
What evidence do I have that contradicts this belief?
What is a more empowering belief I can adopt?
4. Practice Positive Self-Talk
Exercise:
Replace negative self-talk with affirmations.
Example: Instead of "I always fail," say, "I am learning and improving every day."
Write down three positive affirmations each morning.
5. Build Emotional Resilience
Exercise:
When facing setbacks, ask:
What can I learn from this?
How would I advise a friend in the same situation?
Practice deep breathing or meditation to handle stress effectively.
6. Take Action and Stay Accountable
Exercise:
Use a habit tracker or checklist to monitor progress.
Share your goals with a friend or mentor for external accountability.
Schedule weekly self-check-ins to review progress.
7. Celebrate Small Wins
Exercise:
Write down one thing you accomplished at the end of each day, no matter how small.
Reward yourself for reaching milestones.
My experience is that self-coaching can be a rewarding experience, as it empowers an individual to take charge of their development. But it's hard to get started and even harder to sustain without help. In my coaching practice, I always explore self-coaching with my clients to see if it's a good fit. I usually go through the following commitments:
1. Establish the Basics
Explain the Concept: I explain self-coaching and its benefits. I emphasize the importance of self-awareness and personal accountability.
Set Expectations: I ensure they understand that self-coaching requires commitment and consistency.
2. Identify Goals
Goal Setting: Help them identify SMART or PACT goals depending on their preference and encourage them to focus on short-term and long-term objectives.
Prioritize: Assist them in prioritizing their goals based on their importance and urgency.
Accountability Partner: I make myself available to support them in staying committed to and making progress toward the goal, often through regular check-ins and encouragement
3. Develop a Plan
Action Steps: I help the client break down each goal into smaller, manageable action steps and create a timeline for achieving these steps.
Resources: I help identify the resources or tools they may need to achieve their goals, such as books, courses, or online resources.
4. Encourage Reflection
· Self-Assessment: I encourage regular self-assessment to track progress. This can involve journaling, self-evaluation forms, or simply reflecting on their progress.
· Feedback: I will work with the client to seek input from trusted friends, colleagues, or mentors to gain different perspectives.
5. Adjust and Adapt
Flexibility: I will often remind them that their self-coaching plan is not set in stone. They should be open to adjusting their goals and action steps based on their progress and changes in their circumstances.
Resilience: I will encourage resilience and perseverance, even when they encounter setbacks or challenges.
6. Celebrate Achievements
Acknowledge Success: I will be there to celebrate their achievements, no matter how small. This will help build their confidence and motivation.
Reward: I will suggest rewarding themselves for reaching milestones to maintain enthusiasm and commitment.
7. Provide Support and Encouragement
Check-ins: We will schedule regular check-ins to discuss their progress, challenges, and any adjustments needed.
Motivation: I will be available to offer encouragement and motivation to keep them focused and inspired.
By following these steps, I aim to help the person build a strong foundation for self-coaching and empower them to take control of their personal growth and development. Again, self-coaching is not for everyone, as the level of discipline to succeed can be challenging for many of us. However, for the right reasons and the right person, the path can be transformational and should always be considered.
