Coach Yourself!

17RAM‐3, 2, 1: Reinforcing Your Coaching Wins

Continuous effort—not strength or intelligence—is the key to unlocking your potential.

—Winston Churchill

We are always looking for simple hacks to help keep us on track. And while maintaining and reinforcing what you have achieved during coaching requires focus and time, the rewards are enormous. Now that you are on your own, you need tools to keep you focused on your new habits and to not revert back to previous habits.

Not only are you reinforcing thoughts and behaviors that you want to be integral parts of your life, you are also continuing the learning journey. And the brain responds to novelty,¹ so I suggest experimenting with the various strategies in this chapter, picking a couple that work for you and your style, and rotating them from time to time.

RAM‐3, 2, 1

This is the mnemonic² I created to remind my clients of ways they can reinforce the coaching wins that they have worked so hard to achieve.

• 3 Rs: Reflection, Recognition, Routines
• 2 As: Accountability and Accommodation
• 1 M: Mindset of learning

Reflection

Schedule time to reflect on your coaching progress. This should have a regular cadence, and can be as little as once or twice a month. Some of my clients review their notes and action plans; others keep a journal or a log. The key is to set aside intentional reflection time.

Another takeaway I wish everyone could have: keep a journal beside your bed and write in it either first thing or last thing of the day ...