First of all, coaching helps the client be clear about their goals, using the seven golden rules. ‘Then the coach helps the client establish the core values that generated the goals and that will guide them on their journey. Finally, they are ready to make an action plan. Most people make an action plan by thinking forward. They start in the present and look towards the future, defining the logical steps to follow to get from here to there. We think that it is much better to plan backwards. Start from the goal. The goal is what generates the action, so the goal is the logical place to start. Many people do not start with the goal, because they are not sure they will achieve it, so they think they should start from the present. Infact, winen you seta goal, the goal is what is certain, Start from the certainty of the future you desire, rather than the uncertainty of the present. When you start from the end you will get a big insight about what to do and what not to do. Representin ‘An action plan means planning over time. so we need some way to represent time The best way to represent time is as distance. We talk of the distant past and distant future, We see a long distance representing a long time and a short distance representing 2 short time. Clocks are simply along line wound up in circles; the hands moving rows that ine again and again measure time. Calendars allocate a certain space for each day So, to make an action plan, the first thing a coach needs to do is get the client to repre sent time as distance. Itis fundamental that the coach elicits the client's personal way to represent time You can do that in a very straightforward way, by asking: ‘Imagine a line that represen your lifetime. Point to the direction where your past seems to be. Now point to the direction where your future seems to be.'‘The line connecting the two points will be the ‘ime line.e Action Plan ce the client has an idea of time as distance, you can work with them to establish the ceded in their action plan. You can do the process in one of two different ways: hole process by writing on a plece of paper: Get them to put con the paper ~ for example the present could be at and the future (with the goal) at the top, or che present in the left-hand corner and right-hand co nw action steps baeween the two. direc to their rig id got chem to walk ablishing the action steps.As they do that, you need to b ‘Where is your “When do you want to achieve your goal?’ “How far inco the furure do you think i wil b us a piece of paper on the floor in the future with the goal written on it.This repre sents the moment when they will achieve thelr goat Ask the client to step on that plece of paper in the fuure’ and help thom to really feel ssociaced future moment. ‘Now you are here, you have really got it!” See, hear and feel your achioversent, What isi fke? You are enjoying all che things that your ouscom: ou have everything that you planned before’ Make sure that the client is really living that moment. Notice how their body posture and their skin colour changes. They will be really inside that future time, enjoying the feeling of achievement. When the client is fully associated in the moment of achieving the goal, ask:‘What did you do immediately before this?” The client will tell you what had to immediately precede the goal in order for it to happen. Write this down. This needs to be an action, Some clients will describe the feelings that led them to that place. Ifa client gives you the feelings, then ask what action they took that gave tise to those feelings.4 When the dlione is n to take a step back dy as from their desired future. § Cheek thatthe elt is completely asiociated by listening to the language that they are Using For example, they should be talking in the fist person singular present tense (eg am wating & letter” not Maybe f could wri a letter’ or‘ wil be writing a letter When you are sure thatthe dient is asociated asc'What did you do immediately before ths moment to make fe possibe? The cllene wit tell you. Wie down that sep + Keep re sure that ther ating the same process undl the client arrives in he present moment. Make is is to make sure that the action step are suffcienty precise), each described by a verb in the present tense:'| am doing X! Do not be satisfied with glib answers. With one client we took through this process, he had clearly worked out his action plan from the present to the future and was simply telling us what it was backwards. It was all happening too quickly and easily. We told him to completely forget the plan he had before and just think about what he was doing in those moments. The steps he came up with were completely different and much more useful. When the cent is inthe present moment ask ther wit they tink ofthe plan. Then ask them the time line. Whi step to the side ney think of it from this detached position! This gives the cliant ewo ways evaluate. One is being in the present moment, seaing the plan ahead. The sceond is a more detached view, being in a way our. side sim; 1d able co evaluate the steps more critically. Both views are necessary. both viewpoines: ‘What do you fee! about 4 Ask these questions fro order of the steps! “Ave there any unn side posi 1 client xo put a time for each step. When should eat step be completed” Write dow chess deadlines by each step. Check that these are istic deadlines and not when the dient ‘hopes’ that they will do the steps. ‘When the client is happy about the steps and the deadlines, they should go back to the rd 10 staps and deadlinas to rem ‘orn wt future goal, Imagining exch step as they go. The inthe process. They are exploring the steps ag from present to fut also mentally reh e plan and waking it more real. This way of doing plan also breaks down the goal intoNow che client has an action plan, Give them a task that will set them on their way and will help them accomplish the first step. Build in some celebrations! Very often we are oblivious to taking an important step because ie seems like simply a step towards the next cask the way one examination qualifies you to take the next. Celebrations along the way are more motivating and keep in touch with thelr goal re the client is living their values in the action plan? Does theie values? Wt process is done with care and journey. The Two Journeys There are two parallel journeys in the action plan, One is the outward journey: a series ¢ actions that the person will take that will change something in their environment and hat other people will see. However there is also a parallel, invisible journey: the inner >umey, This is a journey of feelings, of learning and of self-development. With some clients the outward journey will be the most obvious. They will easily come up with action steps and maybe not talk very much about their feelings and learning from the eps of the process. Other clients will talk about their feelings, about what they are farning and their development; their inner world is more vivid than the outward one this process. The coach works with both at once. However, to generate an action plan, there needs to be some action, so even while exploring the inner journey, make sure here are definite steps with definite actions on the way to the goal. Learning always ‘omes from doing something different. We strongly suggest that you start with the client on this work with their goals and ‘alues immediately after the initial session. The initial session is when coach and client meet for the first time and negotiate how they will work together. This is our next topic. SUMMARY Goals Goals are dreams with legs, they go somewhere. Every decision that we make in life shapes our reality. Use your fear of the unknown to direct yourself to a better future. Setting goals is the way to take charge of your life. We are moving from a present state to a desired state. The moment we are dissatisfied with what we have, we are on a journey towards something better. The opposite of goal-setting is problem-thinking. This focuses on what is wrong. ‘A coach helps a client to explore the present and design the future.There are two different sorts of goals. The outcome goal the destination, where you are heading 4 The process goal: your journey, how you are going to get there The Seven Golden Rules of Goals 1 Goals are expressed in the positive This only applies to the outcome goal. 2. Make the goal specific ‘Make your outcome goal as specific as possible. For tangible gools, describe them ax exactly as possible. For abstract goals, specify the evidence that will let you know that you have the goal. ‘The further into the future the gocl, the less specific the client needs to be about it Long-term goals set directions. 3. Decide how you will get evidence and feedback for achievement. For an outcome goal, set the evidence that will tell you that you have achieved it. For the journey, decide on the feedback to pay attention to. What are you measuring? How will you measure your progress? Relative to yourself or relative to another person? How often will you measure your progress? 4 Marshall your resources. You need resources on the journey, not the destination. Resources an be: objects people time role models personal qualities Use resources to give leverage. Leverage is the principle of getting the most effect {for the smallest effort, and it may mean stopping doing things just as much as doing ‘them. Which resources do you have already? Which ones do you need to develop? 5. Be proactive. This principle applies to the journey, not the destination. 6 Pay attention to ecology. Ecology is the wider system in which the client lives. This rule applies to both destination and journey. What are the consequences for other people? What is the cost in time, money and opportunity? What is important in the present circumstances that you leave behind?7 Make an action plan. ‘The action plan divides the goal into smaller steps. It is the map of the journey. To define an action plan, you need to know the client's values. 1es are what are important to you. here are no bad values. flues are usually stated in abstract terms. goals are generated by values. One of the things that can stop you achieving your goals is not respecting your values uring the process. Find the core values that have generated a goal by asking ‘What does that get for 2? until you reach the core value. nsure the client lives the value in achieving the goal. The Action Plan cart from the goal and work backwards to draw up the action plan. Hf you want to understand, act. Here are some ways to explore the ideas in this chapter. You can also use them as tasks for your client and yourself if you wish. | Think about a goal that you achieved in the past. Check how it fits the seven golden rules of goals. Plan your life, if you have not done so already, by writing down your five most important 10-year goals. Make sure they are a balanced set, from dif- ferent areas of the wheel of life (see page 59). ‘Think about a goal that you have not yet achieved. Find out the value behind Cheek whether you are respecting this value in the process of achieving this goal. Is the way you plan to achieve your goal congruent with the value that generated it?ts wer = 4. Define a short-term goal (one you wish to achieve in the next year), using the seven golden rules. Design the action plan by working backwards from the goal. 5 Do astocktake of your resources. What skills do you have? Think of every possible context. What knowledge do you have? Think of your education, specialist knowledge and what you have learned in the university of Whom de you have a relationship with, however slight, both in the past and present? List the people you know in your work, friends past and present, family, mentors and teachers, acquaintances, ete. When you have finished, think how any or all of these could be resources for you asa coach.