COACH YOU BLOG

Distraction: Ignore, Include or Embrace?
25/5/2015

Distraction has been the No 1 client stopper this month.  An external distraction from another part of their life has shifted or distrupted the central focus of their coaching. Whether it's a relationship issue, moving home, moving office, unexpected competition or a delicious new opportunity, how do we handle it?

 

Establish as soon as possible, and preferably before distraction takes hold, what three things are vital on a daily basis to keep your coaching project moving forward.  In the short term creating such positive habits can sustain us when other aspects of our lives appear outside of our control. Sticking to your plan of making sales calls or going to the gym gives us a sense of satisfaction and supports our self-esteem which enables us to better hope with the flack. In the longer term, covering the minimum will maintain momentum and pull us back into focus more quickly, thereby limiting the potential negative impact of the distraction.  It also gives us permission and time to dedicate to the necessary distraction.  If the distraction is perceived as an unnecessary irritation then book an appointment with yourself to give the distraction your full attention and get it out of your system!

 

And Distraction has been identified by neuroscience as a positive tool.  Our self-limiting beliefs create the same neural pathways as any other form of learning ie driving a car or learning an instrument.  Years of "practising" negative self talk creates faster and faster routes to negativity and descent into our limbic system or lizard brain which triggers the release of adrenaline causing us to fight, fight or freeze.

 

Coaching teaches us first to notice the belief when it shows up:  "I can't ...", "I should ...", "that's just the way it is" and is usually accompanied by physical feelings we can recognise. The very act of noticing pulls us into our higher brain and out of our limbic system releasing chemicals designed to counteract the adrenaline once the threat has gone. Further distraction of the brain by asking it to "choose" a more positive way to react enhances the effect on the neural pathway. Over time, with repeated disruption, this neural pathway will weaken and diminish. Some self-limiting beliefs can be eradicated or dramatically reduced in impact on our time and well-being.

 

Let me know if  you'd like some help with distractions!