Self-Coaching: The Importance of Personal Commitment

Commitment as a Vital Ingredient

Commitment is a vital element for coaching to work effectively, whether it is a process guided by an external coach or a self-coaching process.

It doesn't matter how skilled you are at applying the tools or how well you master the theory; without genuine commitment, the results will never be satisfactory.

It acts as an indispensable ingredient, the internal covenant that ensures perseverance through the difficulties inherent in change.

In self-coaching, where there is no external figure of the coach to maintain structure and accountability, this personal commitment takes on even greater relevance.

Defining Commitment in Transformation

What does commitment mean in this context? Essentially, it is a pact, an agreement with yourself.

When you commit to your own transformation, you are making a firm decision that, even when the process becomes more arduous or difficult, you will move forward toward your goal.

If a process were always easy and enjoyable, commitment would not be so crucial, as there would be no temptation to give up.

But a coaching or self-coaching process is inherently hard because it requires effort and stepping out of your comfort zone.

Commitment is the force that keeps you on track during those challenging moments.

Steps to Establish Commitment

To effectively commit to your self-coaching process, you need to follow a few key steps:

• Study your starting situation: Observe, listen to and analyze yourself honestly. Ask yourself, "What do I need?". This is the first fundamental question in the process: What do you want to change? What aspect, if changed, would make you happier or improve your life?
• Extract your objectives: From this initial reflection should emerge your coaching objectives, those concrete goals on which you will focus your process.
• Visualize the outcome: Imagine exactly how you expect to achieve it, what the result of your transformation work will look like. Be as concrete as possible in this visualization.

Analyzing the Nature of the Commitment

Once you are clear about what you need (starting point) and what your goal is (end point), it is crucial to do another reflection: analyze the specific characteristics of your commitment.

Often, our initial commitment may be tinged with limiting beliefs or confusing motivations, and you need to analyze this in detail. Ask yourself:

• Why have I committed to this particular goal?
• What is really driving me, what is my deepest motivation?
• What will happen when the process gets difficult?
• What resources do I have (internal or external) to keep pushing myself even when I don't feel like it?
• What exactly can I do to make sure I keep fighting for my goal in the less pleasant moments of the process?

It is very important to analyze these scenarios, because there will undoubtedly be times when you are tempted to give up.

Having the tools and strategies in place to avoid this can save your transformation.

Formalizing the Internal Pact

In a coaching process with an external client, this is the moment when the coaching agreement or contract would be signed.

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