Climate change. Plastic pollution. Food Waste. Biodiversity loss. We are aware of many environmental crises that are affecting our planet. We also hear of many tips and tricks as to how to be more ecological, such as reducing our carbon footprint, ditching single-use plastic, composting and planting trees. But what is the one thing you can do that will make you more environmentally friendly? Well, you might be surprised but the answer is life coaching.
Life Coaching? Yes, you heard it right. You might be thinking - how does this make me more environmentally friendly? Life Coaches help people who are facing challenges reach their goals through a solution-based, result-orientated process that is monitored and evaluated (Grant 2003). Basically, the coach helps the coachee to select the outcomes they want to accomplish, establish goals, discover motivational drivers, find solutions and tracks their progress (Grant 2013). Think of it as being a passenger in a taxi. The life coach is the cab driver who makes sure you reach your destination faster by assisting you in navigating the best route.
For example, if you want to become a zero-waste hero it’s not a simple thing - it's a whole lifestyle change that takes time, perseverance and determination. Life Coaches are there to help you go trash free by breaking it down into achievable bite-size chunks, finding your superpowers, help you overcome any roadblocks or set backs, and keep tabs on your progress!
What is Sustainable Life Coaching? Find out more here
Need more convincing? Here’s the science. Studies have shown that coaching presents positive experiences for coachees, including the chance to discuss challenges impartially, identify strengths and weaknesses, learn new tools and techniques and cope with the complexities of the world. It is also a safe place to make mistakes, self-reflect and explore alternative options (Simpson 2010). Research has demonstrated that coaching enables coachees to become better at making decisions, problem-solving and actively using new skills and techniques, as well as improving their ability to manage themselves and increases their confidence (Simpson 2010).
Additionally, it has been proven that coaching builds a coachee’s resilience whilst hitting targets, enabling them to be better equipped to deal with future difficulties (Grant 2017). Coaching can be a thought-provoking, creative way for coachees to achieve their maximum potential, moving them towards a more fulfilling and flourishing life (Lefdahl-Davis et al. 2018). In fact, there is evidence that coaching can allow coachees to find their purpose in life, who they really are and who they truly want to be, as well as happier and more fulfilled (Jarosz 2016). Wow!
So if you are feeling eco-anxious, over-whelmed regarding global warming, confused about recycling, don’t know where to start with saving energy or have any other eco-lifestyle questions then choose my life coaching programme.
I’m The Sustainable Life Coach - contact me for coaching sessions focused on building environmentally friendly lifestyles.
Subscribe to get an alert when the latest blog post drops here.
Grant 2003, THE IMPACT OF LIFE COACHING ON GOAL ATTAINMENT, METACOGNITION AND MENTAL HEALTH, SOCIAL BEHAVIOR AND PERSONALITY, 31(3), 253-264
Grant, A.M. 2013 The Efficacy of Coaching in The Wiley-Blackwell Handbook of the Psychology of Coaching and Mentoring, First Edition.
Grant A. M. 2017 SOLUTION-FOCUSED COGNITIVE–BEHAVIORAL COACHING FOR SUSTAINABLE HIGH PERFORMANCE AND CIRCUMVENTING STRESS, FATIGUE, AND BURNOUT University of Sydney Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research Vol. 69, No. 2, 98–111
Jarosz J, 2016. International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring Vol. 14, No. 1, February 2016 What is life coaching? An integrative review of the evidence-based literature Joanna Jarosz
Lefdahl-Davis E.M. et al 2018 The Impact of Life Coaching on Undergraduate Students: A Multiyear Analysis of Coaching Outcomes International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring 2018, Vol. 16(2), pp. 69-83.
Simpson J, 2010. International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring Special Issue No.4, October 2010 Page 114 In What Ways Does Coaching Contribute to Effective Leadership Development?