Expand Awareness

For many, this is the real juice of the coaching process. Expanded awareness leads to greater freedom to choose.
We often say that beginner coaches solve problems. Intermediate coaches collaborate to solve problems. Masterful coaches CAUSE problems!

Often when we have an action plan in front of us, some of the actions create an "inner resistance". We know we need to do it but for some reason there is hesitation. In the past we referred to this as procrastination, but now we know that the real issue is "intention conflict".

Intention conflict occurs when we have a stated intention that requires a particular action AND another unstated intention that blocks the action.

For example, let's say the coachee has an intention to become known as a leader in the business community and has an objective to lead a series of workshops for the local chamber of commerce. The action plan calls for a phone call to the chamber president. However, day after day, the call doesn't happen. What is going on? The coach has to find out!
Perhaps the coachee has an intention - based on past experience - to avoid possible rejection by persons in authority. Since one potential outcome of the phone call is rejection of the idea, the "avoid rejection" intention is in conflict with the "become a leader" intention. The result is wasted energy and the feeling of being stuck.

This example is characteristic of the inner energetic workings of our thoughts, feelings and emotions and in our fast paced and challenging lives we face it hundreds of times each day.

The simple truth is that the accomplishment of any objective always comes with a price. Effort and energy are part of it but typically a truly challenging endeavor will have another price as well: it will force the coachee to challenge assumptions, beliefs and values; to face issues that have until now remained lurking just below the surface of awareness.
This is not a BAD thing, in fact it is a VERY GOOD thing. With each inner conflict comes the potential to release energy in the direction of fulfillment.

With expanded awareness of what is going on "inside" we have a greater freedom to choose any well-meaning action that will bring fulfillment to our desires.