a coach approach to vision and goal setting

It’s January 5th, a new year and a new decade. There is a lot of hype around this time of year — to get focused with goals and habits and a whole new you.

While you can get hooked onto the hype (and use it as a reason to not take action), I invite you to use this time of year an an opportunity to ignite your way forward. If you’ve been following me you know that I am obsessed with vision and goal setting — I stand by it because of the impact it’s had on my life and the life of my clients. Here’s two snapshots of my life to give you an idea.

10 years of my life

Here’s a snapshot of my life 10 years ago:

I was living in Toronto. Working a job that gave me an ulcer (literally). My hair was falling out. I was taking anti-depressants. I had regular panic attacks. I couldn’t run 5k without walking. Never meditated before. Did yoga for sport. I was an angry mess. I couldn’t see beyond my own pain.

Here’s a snapshot of my life 10 years later:

I quit the ulcer job. Found coaching. I married the love of my life. I moved to Vancouver, then Squamish. Bought a house with an apple tree. Started hiking again and have completed several backpacking trips including 200km solo. I became a yoga and meditation teacher. Became a certified coach. Built 3 businesses with Peace Cabin on the way. Became an aunt 4 times. I got healthy inside out. I helped over 2000 people find themselves. And those people created epic change in the world.

a coach approach to vision and goal setting

If you are closer to where I was 10 years ago it can feel impossible to see a new way. It can be overwhelming to create a vision and goal for yourself. You can find there are a lot more “I don’t know’s” than clarity or certainty; more fog than sunshine, and that can be a huge block to moving forward.

This year I tried a new process of vision and goal setting with myself and some of my clients. It can help especially if you feel overwhelmed with this work. It’s rooted in pure coaching.

You see, coaching guides you to find what you already know. It’s not a 10-step process, a fancy worksheet, or that thing that worked for me that will for sure work for you. These can be helpful and your way is your way. Coaching helps you access your way.

This simple process involves asking yourself powerful coaching questions focused on two of my favourite things: time and memories.

coaching questions to get clear on your vision and goals

Looking back, what are your favourite memories?

Why? What makes them your favorite?

What did you say yes to that enabled you to create those memories?

What did you say no to?

What memories do you want to create in the year ahead?

What do you need to do to make them happen?

One day at a time leads to a decade. That’s a lot of days to bring what’s inside you to life. To you shining bright.