IQ Matrix Blog » Life Coaching

Creating Your Life Resource List

Adam Sicinski — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 08:30:09 +0000

Introduction

A Resource List is an indispensable tool I utilize in my professional life as a Life Coach and in my personal life to achieve my own Goals and Objectives. In fact, it’s a tool that is absolutely CRITICAL to the achievement of success in any field of endeavor.

Resource Lists are very much like the food we eat on a daily basis that helps nourish our bodies. We eat this food because it provides us with the energy we need to do what we do throughout the day. Likewise, our Resource Lists provide us with the nourishment we need to overcome Obstacles and achieve our Goals and Objectives [see: SMART goals].

Developing your own Resource List could very well be the start of a remarkable journey of transformation. Furthermore, it could determine whether or not you achieve your Goals or overcome those niggling Obstacles that are standing in your way.

What are Resource Lists Exactly?

Resource Lists provide you with helpful strategies, ideas, answers and solutions that will help you achieve your Goals and Objectives.

Resource Lists give you a set of tools you can utilize that support the tasks and projects you are wanting to achieve. They also supply you with everything you need to help you overcome obstacles, challenges and problems as they arise [see: problem solving].

Resources can be classified as being external (outside of you), or internal (inside of you). External Resources may include books, blogs, journals, software programs, gadgets, support from others, etc. While Internal Resources can include things such as the knowledge, qualities, habits, skills, emotional techniques you have learned, etc.

Finally, it’s important to classify resources as being Acquired and Required. Acquired Resources are the Resources that you currently have at your disposal to help you achieve your Goals or overcome the Obstacles that are preventing you from achieving your Goals. Your Required Resources on the other hand are Resources you have identified that you need in order to accomplish your Goals, but you haven’t as yet Acquired them.

The key here is to identify your current set of Resources, and then pinpoint the Resources you still need — developing a plan of action on how to acquire them.

Achieving Your Goals

Venturing out to achieve a new Goal can be a rather daunting experience, especially when we are unfamiliar with the territory or haven’t accomplished anything similar in the past. This is in essence the first hurdle that we must overcome. And in fact, this is the hurdle that stops many people in their tracks — dreams never become Goals, and Goals never become reality.

If I don’t know what to do, where to begin or how to achieve this Goal, than how in the world am I going to get it started in the first place? This is where Resource Lists come into play.

Over several years now I have kept a Resource List of things that could potentially assist me to achieve my Goals. Any new skills that I have developed, new information I have acquired, techniques I have learned or productivity tools I have gained access to, I simply add all these to my Resource List, which keeps growing over time.

Now comes the time to launch a new venture and achieve a new Goal that I am rather unfamiliar with. In such situations, I simply begin by overviewing my current list of Resources and ask myself:

What Resources on this list could help me achieve this Goal?

This provides me with clarification and confidence that I already have a few tools that I can immediately make use of that will help me get started on this new venture.

Once I have identified the Resources that I already have in my arsenal, I then ask the following question:

What Resources will I possibly need to help me achieve this Goal?

How will I go about acquiring these Resources?

Once I have listed the Resources I need to achieve my Goal, and have developed a Plan of Action [see: plan of action] on how to acquire them, than I am ready to begin moving forward with greater confidence and assurance that this Goal can actually be achieved.

I outline this process in a little more detail a little further down this post.

Overcoming Obstacles

Every Goal that I am wanting to achieve has a set of Obstacles or Roadblocks that are typically attached to it. I must therefore effectively overcome these Roadblocks in order to achieve the Goal I want in my life. To do this I must first identify what Obstacles could potentially prevent me from achieving my Goal [see: murphy's law].

Once possible Obstacles have been identified I will typically ask myself the following set of questions:

What Resources do I currently have on hand to help me overcome this Obstacle?

Are these Resources adequate, or will I need additional Resources to overcome this Obstacle?

What additional Resources must I acquire?

How will I acquire these Resources?

These questions help clarify what it is that I need to do in order to overcome the Obstacles that may prevent me from achieving my Goals and Objectives.

With this information, I am now more confident and capable of handling the Obstacles standing in my way. On the other hand, if I didn’t have this information, than I may simply not know what to do when confronted with setbacks.

Types of Resources

There are a plethora of different kinds of Resources that you can utilize to help you achieve your Goals and overcome Obstacles in your life.

Here is a list of Resource Categories that I use to help me keep track of my Resources:

Mindset

Here I list Resources that are connected to my State of Mind. These include:

Personal Qualities

These are personal qualities and strong attributes of my character that can assist me to achieve my Goals [see: qualities of success]

What indispensable qualities do I have?

How do these qualities assist me?

Language

This includes Affirmations, Quotes, Power Words and Questions that I can utilize for different purposes [see: asking effective questions].

What affirmations inspire me?

What quotes can help guide me?

What Power Words move me forward?

What questions empower me?

State Anchors

These are Emotional Anchors that I have created.

What empowering anchors have I created?

Beliefs

These can include Beliefs about Self, Others and Life [see: beliefs].

What empowering beliefs do I have?

Time

This is the time that you have available to work on your Goals. This is important because the one thing we can’t get back is Time. Therefore Time is one of the most important and indispensable Resources we have available to us [see: time management].

What time do I have available to me?

When specifically is this time available?

How can I best use this time to achieve my goals?

Support

This is the support you can acquire from others to help you achieve your Goals and overcome Obstacles.

This support can be acquired from:

Friends
Family
Work Colleagues
Partner
Online Communities & Forums
Clubs
Associations
Organizations

Where can I gain the support I need to achieve my goals?

Who can provide me with the support I need?

How exactly can others support me in my ventures?

Habits

It is important to list specific Habits that you cultivate on a daily basis that can be used to help you achieve your Goals [see: habit transformation].

What personal habits do I cultivate that will help me achieve my goals?

Skills

Every Goal can be achieved and Obstacle can be overcome with a certain set of Skills that you have at your disposal.

Skills could include:

Time Management Skills
Negotiation Skills [see: negotiation]
Networking Skills [see: networking]
Persuasion Skills [see: persuasion]
Writing Skills
Programming Skills
Marketing Skills
Communication Skills [see: a person of influence]
etc..

What skills do I have that can help me achieve my goals?

Physical Possessions

These are any Physical Possessions that you have on hand that can help you achieve your Goals.

The possessions you list here will represent different things to different people. For some people it might be Money, while for others it could be something completely different. The key is to identify what you currently have on hand that can assist you.

What possessions do I have that could be useful to help me achieve my Goals?

Information

Being able to find the relevant information you need to achieve your goals is absolutely critical to your success. You can gather this information from books, blogs, journals, newspapers, podcasts, magazines, etc. Look to these sources to help you find the information you need.

Where can I access the relevant information I need to achieve my goals?

How specifically can this information help me achieve my goals?

Knowledge

Knowledge is something that you OWN, something that is stored within your memory, and something that you can bring forth at any time.

Look for Knowledge that you already have that is immediately applicable and practical to help you achieve your Goals.

What knowledge do I have that is most valuable to help me achieve my goals?

Physiology

How you use your body at any given time has a dramatic impact on your emotions, which likewise influences how effectively you are able to think and what you are able to do at any given moment in time. This is why it’s important to maximize how you use your body in order to get the most out of your abilities in any given situation.

Pay attention to your movement. If you are moving like a slug, than you will also feel like a slug

Move with conviction, passion and a sense of purpose. Breathe deeply, walk with poise and confidence.

How can I use my body to enhance my levels of confidence?

Technology

Technology can be used effectively to boost your creativity, productivity and even to help you overcome problems.

These days there are a plethora of online applications and websites that can help you get organized, manage your time and systematize your entire life. There are also desktop mind mapping applications, office tools, and then there are gadgets, iPhones, computers, iPads, etc.

What technology and tools make me more productive?

Which of these can help me best achieve my goals?

Techniques

I have learned over many years numerous Neural Linguistic Programming and Life Coaching techniques, strategies and principles that I utilize to help me get what I want out of life. These techniques are indispensable and are an important part of my Resource List.

What psychological techniques and strategies do I know that can help me achieve my goals?

Which of these techniques can help me overcome the Obstacles that are preventing me from achieving my goals?

Evaluating Personal Strengths

To help you begin creating your Resource List, it’s a good idea to start by identifying your Personal Strengths [see: strengths and weaknesses].

Ask yourself:

What do I consider to be my strengths?

What do I excel at?

What things am I good at?

What do I enjoy doing?

What do I do better than most people I know?

How can all these things help me achieve my goals?

Creating Your Resource List

Once you have identified your strengths, it’s now time to begin creating your Resource List. To do this you must follow the ILPA formula (Identify, List, Pinpoint and Ask):

Identify Your Goals

Your first objective is to identify the Goals you are wanting to achieve. These Goals will then become the primary focus that will help you to develop your Resource List [see: growing your goals].

List Potential Obstacles

Having clarified your Goals, you must now take into consideration two important key factors.

The 1st factor includes all the Obstacles (problems, concerns, setbacks, roadblocks) that you may encounter as you move towards the achievement of your Goals. Clarifying these will help you identify the potential Resources you may need to acquire to overcome these Obstacles.

The 2nd factor includes all the Tasks and Projects you will need to complete in order to overcome these Obstacles and attain your Goals. Identifying these will help you to get a better understanding of the work required to help you achieve your Goals.

Pinpoint Acquired + Required Resources

With your renewed clarity, now comes time to pinpoint all the Acquired Resources you current have at your disposal. Simply go down the list discussed above and insert all your Resources into their relevant categories.

Secondly, list all the Required Resources you will need in order to overcome the potential Obstacles that could prevent you from achieving your Goals.

Ask Effective Questions

Having completed all the above steps, ask yourself the following set of questions:

How can I best utilize the Resources I have to help me achieve my Goals?

How can I best utilize the Resources I have to help me overcome potential Obstacles?

Where can I acquire the Resources I need?

How will I go about acquiring these Resources?

How can my current Resources help me acquire more Resources?

How can I best utilize these Acquired Resources to overcome potential Obstacles?

How can I best utilize these Acquired Resources to achieve my Goals?

Growing Your Resource List

Your Resource List should grow over the years as you mature and progress through life. Every experience you have, skill you master, and practical knowledge you acquire you should add to your Resource List, because the BIGGER your list grows, the more confidence you will have and the more Resourceful you will become in the face of adversity [see: never give up].

The only challenge you may face along this journey is a method of collating this information in a structured and organized manner.

There are two methods of building your Resource List that have worked for me.

The 1st method is the Old School method. This involves purchasing a Ring Bound Folder with dividers that allow you to insert random pages between the dividers. Each divider can be labelled with a Resource Category, and you can add Resources and pages to the folder as you piece your Resource List together.

The 2nd method involves using a Mind Mapping Software application such as NovaMind to help you organize all your Resources in an easy to reference program [see: mind mapping]. This is the method that I currently use, and the method that I would highly recommend. Simply, begin by creating your main Mind Map branches listing all the Resource Categories presented earlier in the post. Then insert sub-categories listing down all the Resources you have at your disposal.

Finally, it’s important to distinguish between your Acquired Resources and your Required Resources. These can be color coded on the same Mind Map, or a separate Mind Map can be created for both.

I will provide more in-depth analysis about Resource Lists and provide actual examples at the MasterMind Matrix Blog, when it officially launches a little later this year.

Final Thoughts

Someone once told me that the BIGGER your Resource List the greater your chances of achieving your Goals.

The importance of this statement cannot be understated because when you are struggling to achieve your Goals, it simply boils down to how you utilize the Resources you have at your disposal.

To put it another way, Resource Lists are like the lottery. The more entries you have the greater your chances of success, however unless you cash your winning ticket in, you will never reap the benefits. You must therefore make the most of the Resources you have at your disposal.

So the next time you are confronted with a large and seemingly insurmountable Goal, simply turn to your Resource List for a solution, it may very well have the answers you are searching for.

Life Coaching Mistakes

Adam Sicinski — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:19:11 +0000

Introduction

Working as a Life Coach for several years I have learned from personal experience and observed the many mistakes that are made within my industry. These mistakes often destroy the Coaching dynamics between the Life Coach and Client and they can literally push people away from Coaching all together. Many of these mistakes are rather obvious and can be avoided rather easily, while others are very subtle in nature, however their impact on the process of Life Coaching cannot be underestimated.

This blog post and accompanying Mind Map delves into each of these Life Coaching mistakes and outlines the impact they have on the Client and the Coaching Session. Moreover, the article attempts to outline solutions that can hopefully guide Life Coaches through their Coaching Sessions far more effectively. In addition, this Mind Map can also be used as an effective Reference Tool to help us improve the quality of our communication with other people.

Personal Perceptions

This Branch of the IQ Matrix outlines the mistakes that Life Coaches make pertaining to their Personal Perceptions of the Client’s circumstances.

Diagnosing Psychological Conditions

This should be left to Psychologists and Psychiatrists who have been thoroughly trained in this area.

Making Quick Assumptions

Making assumptions about the Circumstances of a Client’s life without fully understanding the BIG picture is a critical Coaching mistake. Additionally, making Assumptions about a Client’s Beliefs, Feelings, Perspectives, Values, Weaknesses, Strengths, and their Thought Process can affect the progress of a Coaching Session. A Life Coach needs to have a comprehensive understanding of a Client’s behavior before any concrete conclusions about a Client’s psychological tendencies can be reached.

Thinking Narrowly

By not taking into consideration wider circumstances and Causes that are affecting a Client’s current reality may significantly lead the Client astray.

Misunderstanding a Client

This includes misunderstanding a Client’s Needs, Wants and Abilities as a result of assumptions that have been made.

Personal Communication

This Branch of the IQ Matrix outlines the mistakes that Life Coaches make pertaining to their Communication style and preferences.

Not Listening Intently

Not listening intently to the Client’s words and to the underlying feelings and intentions behind the words they speak can lead to miscommunication and ultimately lead the Client down the wrong path.

Not leading by Example

A Life Coach effectively becomes a Role Model for their Clients. Their personal actions must therefore be congruent and consistent with their advice, otherwise conflicts may arise.

Not sharing Thoughts, Inklings & Personal Experiences

The best way for a Client to learn is to gather information from an alternate perspective – from someone else’s experiences and mistakes. A Life Coach must therefore be willing to share their thoughts and inklings at all times in order to help steer their Client in the right direction.

Not Paraphrasing Personal Understanding

If a Life Coach isn’t paraphrasing their Client’s words back to the Client, than they probably haven’t fully grasped a clear understanding of their Client’s perspectives. Moreover, paraphrasing enables the Client to correct misunderstandings or any assumptions that the Life Coach may be making.

Not Asking Effective Questions

If a Life Coach isn’t asking Insightful, Open-Ended and Reflective Questions, than their questions are simply not going to assist their Client in making the changes they desire to realize in their life. The more insightful the Question, the more Thought is required, and the more likely the Client will be able to find a suitable answer.

Not Modeling the Client

In order to create deep levels of rapport a Life Coach must always be modeling a Client’s Body Movement, Language, Facial Expressions, Vocal Tendencies, Words and Communication Style. This must of course be done in a very subtle and non-obtrusive manner.

Judging or Criticizing Client

A Life Coach must at all times remain neutral on all issues, and should effectively utilize the Power of asking Effective Questions to glide over sensitive topics. If they are unable to do this with a particular Client, than they should stop Coaching that Client immediately.

Avoiding Touchy Subjects

Usually Clients will want to avoid sensitive subjects because they may be embarrassed or ashamed of their behaviors and actions. However, a Life Coach must tackle these issues, fully understanding that the answers to deep rooted psychological issues lie within these sensitive areas of a Client’s life.

Correcting a Client’s Language

A Life Coach isn’t an English Teacher, and should therefore not correct a Client’s Language. Instead they should focus on helping their Client overcome obstacles that are preventing them from achieving the life they seek to live.

Assuming Your Truths Equal Client’s Truths

A Life Coach should never make the mistake of assuming that their Client’s View of the World is similar to theirs. Each individual’s truths are made up of their own interpretations of the reality and should therefore be viewed from the Client’s own unique perspectives.

Telling Client They Are Wrong

Everything is only a perspective, and perspectives change as a result of new insights and understandings. Instead of telling a Client that they are wrong, a Life Coach must ask Effective Questions to help their Client see their circumstances from a new perspective that they may never have considered before.

Giving Unqualified Advice

Unless a Life Coach is also qualified in other professional fields, they should avoid at all costs giving their Clients Financial or Legal advice.

Using Jargon

Jargon belongs on the playground and not in a Professional Environment where someone else is paying for your time. Jargon can also be easily misunderstood, which can lead to unfortunate consequences.

Using Email for Touchy Subjects

Sensitive issues must be discussed and not handled over an email client. This reduces the risk of misunderstandings.

Going Overboard

A Life Coach that is too Noisy, Blunt, Friendly, Quiet, Passive or Professional is not thinking about their Client’s Needs, but rather their own. Uniquely adapting your approach to each Client is critical towards being a successful Life Coach.

Being Overly Linear, Optimistic & Directive

A Life Coach guides their Client down the right path in a Realistic and Creative manner. Anything that moves away from this strategy is not considered Life Coaching.

Personal Approach

This Branch of the IQ Matrix outlines the mistakes that Life Coaches make pertaining to their general Coaching Approach.

Talking About Self

A Client is paying you for your time and guidance. They don’t want to hear your Life Story unless it directly relates to their circumstances. And even then a Life Coach must be brief and to the point.

Getting Sidetracked

It’s easy to get sidetracked during a typical conversation. However, when it comes to Life Coaching this is inexcusable. Focus on the task at hand, because your Client’s livelihood is at stake.

Breaking Confidentiality

Anything that is discussed between a Life Coach and their Client is confidential. A Life Coach must therefore not discuss the Client’s circumstances with anybody else – this includes their partner.

Investing Emotions into Client

In order for a Life Coach to remain neutral, they must never invest their emotions into a Client’s life or circumstances. These emotions will create a fog that will distract them from the real issues at hand.

Working from Personal Belief Systems

Each Client has a unique set of Beliefs about their life and circumstances. These beliefs are likely very different to your own, and therefore a Life Coach must not assume that what they believe is what their Client also believes.

Coaching Uncoachable Clients

Some Clients are simply not yet ready for Coaching often due to their current state of mind. A Life Coach must spot these types of Clients and refrain from Coaching them. If they ignore this advice they may suffer a backlash from their Client who becomes unhappy with the progress they are making.

Coaching All Client’s Same Way

It’s okay for a Life Coach to have a set of guidelines and a process that they undertake while coaching Clients. However, this process must be flexible in order to accommodate for each Client’s unique Perspectives and Needs.

Taking Responsibility for Client’s Successes & Failures

Life Coaching is all about empowering people, and helping them to take full responsibility for their lives and circumstances. It is therefore irresponsible for a Life Coach to accept praise for a Client’s Successes or to point the finger at themselves for their Client’s Failures. A Client must become accountable and take full responsibility for everything, otherwise they will simply fail to gain from their coaching experience.

Taking on Another Role

During conversation it is easy to take on other Roles in order to meet the needs of the interaction. However, a Life Coach must be careful not to take on another Role such as that of a Parent, Friend or Therapist. Each of these Roles may seem suitable in that moment, however the long-term effects of these Roles on the Client’s continued growth and development could be riddled with unwelcome consequences.

Not Being Receptive or Patient

A Life Coach must understand that each Client has their own Psychological Speedometer. Some will move quicker, while others will take time to adapt to the changing circumstances of their life that the process of Life Coaching is bringing about. As a result the Life Coach must be Patient and Receptive to their Client’s Needs at all times.

Not Laying Ground Rules

If there are no Ground Rules, than a Life Coach will struggle to maintain control, and the Client will suffer the consequences of not having a “Working Compass” to steer them in the right direction. Ground Rules also help prevent time being wasted on unnecessary activities.

Not Initiating Topics for Discussion

The purpose of Life Coaching is to direct the conversation and to guide the Client down the right path. This involves initiating topics for discussion, and not waiting for the Client to take the reigns. Like a Sports Coach, a Life Coach observes from afar and brings to attention their understanding of what is going on out in the field of play.

Appearing Affected By Client’s Criticisms

Everyone is human, and things may not always go as planned, and as a result the Client may not always be happy with their progress or with the direction of their Coaching. A Life Coach must understand this, and must stay calm and collected when a Client is critical of their approach. Only in this way can an effective solution be found.

Frustrated with Client’s Progress & Attitude

A Life Coach must never appear to be frustrated with a Client’s Progress or Attitude. They must instead look for solutions that may resolve these roadblocks. Whether these solutions are found within themselves or within their Client’s perspectives, it does not matter. All that matters is that Frustration does not direct the focus on the Coaching Sessions. However, if it does get to that stage, than the Life Coach must make a decision of whether or not to continue coaching this Client.

Assigning Client Tasks

This Branch of the IQ Matrix outlines the mistakes that Life Coaches make pertaining to the tasks that are assigned to their Clients during a typical Coaching Session.

Over Complicating Tasks

Keep Things Simple Stupid! All tasks should be simple, yet substantially challenging in order to motivate a Client to complete them successfully.

Protecting the Client

It’s understandable to want to protect your Client from Failure, Rejection, Disappointment, and from Making Mistakes, however it is also counterproductive to Coaching. We only really learn when we fail, when we make mistakes, when we are rejected over and over again. And we only succeed when we have failed time and time again. Help your Client understand that failure, rejection, disappointment and mistakes are built upon perspectives and not facts. As such we learn from these experiences and better ourselves for the future.

Promising Results

Nothing is ever certain due to the unpredictable nature of human beings and circumstances. As such, a Life Coach must never promise results. Instead they can provide their Client with possible outcomes, none of which is certain to eventuate. Moreover they must explain to their Client that every outcome is dependent upon them and their commitment to make the changes they want to realize in their lives.

Pushing a Client too Hard or too Quickly

Every Client needs someone to push them beyond their Comfort Zone. However, too far beyond their Comfort Zone and Psychological Paralysis strikes and nothing is achieved. A Life Coach must therefore come to familiarize themselves with each and everyone of their Client’s “speed of change”, and adapt accordingly.

Not Learning from Client

Every Client has something to teach their Life Coach about their Coaching Approach. A good Life Coach understands this and effectively learns from every Coaching experience.

Not Instructing Thoroughly & Clearly

Clear and thorough instructions are absolutely critical to effective Life Coaching. If a Client is even slightly confused, than this automatically raises a Red Flag and could lead to unpredictable consequences that may push a Client away from Coaching or lead them down an undesirable path.

Forcing a Client to Change

Change happens naturally when all psychological, behavioral, physical, social and environmental issues have been accounted for and successfully managed through the process of Life Coaching. A Life Coach must realize this and clearly understand that if a Client is struggling with “Change” that there must be hidden underlying issues that have not as yet been accounted for. Identify and manage them successfully, and Change will begin to happen naturally.

Accepting Client’s Unrealistic Dreams & Goals

As impossible as this may seem, many Clients do not think realistically about their Dreams and Goals . The purpose of Life Coaching in such instances is to ground this person in reality, while expanding their horizons and breaking down their objectives into minuscule manageable chunks and smaller objectives. The purpose here is not to dishearten the Client, but to focus their attention on smaller fragments of their goals one step at a time.

Avoiding Client Money Problems

Whether we accept this or not, Money is usually at the core of most problems that Clients face. Deal with these issues, and it usually opens the doors to a world of new possibilities. However, it’s not always about “money”, but rather about a Client’s perspective about money that hurts them most. Change this perspective, help them manage their psychology more effectively, and miraculously their money problems seem to disappear.

Expecting too Little or too Much from a Client

It’s difficult, however a Life Coach must subdue their expectations. When they expect too little from a Client, the Client usually accommodates them. When they expect too much from a Client, than the Client can easily become overwhelmed. Instead a Life Coach must focus on the Client’s Needs and effectively guide them down the path of least resistance and greatest fulfillment.

Final Thoughts

As with every profession, Life Coaching brings with it a delicate balance of techniques, strategies and tools that when used correctly can bring about positive change within people. However, when misused or rather abused, these tools can impact a Client’s livelihood in very unpredictable ways.

As Life Coaches we have a responsibility to protect our Client’s best interests at all times. And as a result we must be very vigilant of our every word, behavior and action in order to ensure that it is consistent with the intent of meeting our Client’s Needs now and in the future.

A great resource for those wanting to get started with Life Coaching is the Coachville website. It is very much a central hub for information about Life Coaching. They also have a intriguing range of handy tools and information for people starting out within the Coaching Industry.

I hope you enjoyed this post. If you have any further queries or questions, or would like to share your experiences about this topic, than please do so in the comments section below. Also please don’t forget to download the free pdf of the IQ Matrix at the IQ Matrix Shop.

6 Life Coaching IQ Matrixes

Adam Sicinski — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 08:59:43 +0000

We would like to announce the release of 6 New Premium IQ Matrix Mind Maps that are developed for Life Coaching or Self-Coaching purposes. Each of these Mind Maps outlines how I go about Coaching a Client over the first 3 to 5 Life Coaching Sessions. They present effective strategies and techniques that lay down the foundations and groundwork for future meetings. Moreover, they provide me with a deep insight into the Client’s psychology and habitual patterns of behavior, which are critical if coaching is to be successful in the long-term.

There are 7 IQ Matrix Maps within this series, however the 7th Map is not posted here. It will instead be published on the IQ Matrix Blog in a few days and will be available as a Free Download.

Below we present a short description of each IQ Matrix. Detailed posts about each of these topics will be written up at a later time. Each IQ Matrix is available as a Premium pdf Download or as a Laminated or Non-laminated Wall Poster available in A3 or A2 paper sizes from the IQ Matrix Shop.

Why Life Coaching Mind Maps?

There are a couple of reasons I have developed this series of Mind Maps. First of all some of these Mind Maps are at the heart of the MasterMind Matrix Chart. They in essence provide the foundational building blocks that are critically important as one progresses through the MasterMind Matrix. Without them there would be little direction and focus. Just as a marathon runner needs to warm-up before a race, so to are these Mind Maps developed for that purpose. They help tackle sensitive issues, and address important aspects of life that are critical to a person’s psychological evolution as they progress through the MasterMind Matrix.

The second reason these Mind Maps have been created is to outline how I go about coaching a Client. They are of course not entirely comprehensive, as coaching requires me to adapt to each Client’s specific needs and requirements. However, they do provide a good outline that can be used as a guide for Coaching or Self-Coaching purposes.

Keep in mind that this is not the only means of coaching a client, and also may not be the most effective means either. It is however a process that has worked for me and for the clients I have worked with. As with everything it is evolving all of the time, and will continue evolving as long as I continue learning from the client’s I work with.

Part 1: Life Coaching Approach

| Download IQ Matrix pdf |

Life Coaching Approach Part 1 IQ Matrix guides a Life Coach through the process of Life Coaching by providing a break down of Attending Strategies, Listening and Feedback Techniques, and outlining the process of Effective Questioning.

Here is a quick break down of each branch of this IQ Matrix:

Attending Strategies

Breaks down the most important factors a Life Coach must attend to throughout a Coaching Session. This involves attending to their own body language and psychological tendencies, as well as their client’s language and habitual patterns of behavior.

Listening & Feedback

Delves into critical listening and feedback techniques that a Life Coach must progressively learn to adapt into their Coaching routine.

Questioning Techniques

Delves into the power of Effective Questioning as it relates to Life Coaching.

Stick with these guidelines, memorize them and allow them to help you improve your approach as a Life Coach, and you will progressively develop effective Coaching Habits that will enable you to provide the support and feedback your Client’s need in order to excel at life.

Visit the IQ Matrix Shop for more.

Part 2: Life Coaching Approach

| Download IQ Matrix pdf |

Life Coaching Approach Part 2 IQ Matrix guides a Life Coach through the process of Life Coaching by providing a break down of how to identify what a Client Wants, the barriers to Client Change and how to effectively utilize Clarifying Questions, Assumptions and Coaching Frameworks.

Here is a quick break down of each branch of this IQ Matrix:

What Client’s Want

Breaks down the Tangible and Intangible ‘WANTS’ that a client desires to have in their life, and the obstacles that prevent them from becoming a reality.

Barriers to Client Change

Delves into the reasons why clients resist making changes to their lives, and presents strategies for overcoming these barriers.

Clarifying Questions

Presents a set of Clarifying Questions that enable the Life Coach to get a clearer and deeper understanding about their client’s concerns.

Coaching Framework & Assumptions

Identifies the indispensable Life Coaching Framework and Assumptions that a Life Coach uses to guide them during their Coaching Sessions.

Visit the IQ Matrix Shop for more.

1st Life Coaching Session

| Download IQ Matrix pdf |

1st Life Coaching Session IQ Matrix guides a Life Coach through their 1st Coaching Session with a Client by providing them with a definitive plan of action that naturally enables them to progress through the Life Coaching cycle with greater clarity and purpose.

Here is a quick break down of each branch of this IQ Matrix:

Life Coaching Purpose

Outlines the purpose of Life Coaching and its benefits to the Client.

Life Coaching Roles

Defines clear Roles for both the Client and the Life Coach for their Life Coaching Sessions.

Identify Barriers

Presents barriers to Coaching that a Life Coach must become aware of and minimize throughout their Coaching Sessions.

Establishing Rapport

Outlines a 4 Point Process that will enable a Life Coach to establish rapport with their Client during their 1st Coaching Session.

Finding Motivation

Breaks down the process that enables a Life Coach to identify a Client’s motivations for Coaching and for overcoming the obstacles and challenges in their life.

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Addressing Client Concerns

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Addressing Concerns IQ Matrix guides a Life Coach through the process of Addressing the Concerns a Client has about themselves, their life and their circumstances in a resourceful, structured and creative way.

Here is a quick break down of each branch of this IQ Matrix:

Obtain the Client’s Story

Presents a process a Life Coach can follow that will help them to obtain a detailed account of the Client’s story, problems and concerns.

Create a Metaphor for the Problem

Introduces a technique a Life Coach can use to help their client solve their problem through the effective use of metaphors.

Awaken Client’s Unconscious Resources

Breaks down a powerful Life Coaching technique that will enable the Life Coach to empower and awaken unconscious resources within their client to help them overcome the pressing problems in their life.

Stick with these guidelines, memorize them and allow them to help you gain a better understanding of your Client’s story, and you will effectively help empower your Client to overcome the pressing problems in their life.

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Current Reality Identification

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Current Reality Identification IQ Matrix guides a Life Coach through the process of Identifying a Client’s obstacles, their tendencies towards failure, and the GAP between their Current Reality and Desired Outcomes.

Here is a quick break down of each branch of this IQ Matrix:

Analyze Obstacles

Pieces together a set of critical questions that enable a Life Coach to break down the obstacles that are impeding their Client’s progress.

Analyze Strategy for Failure

Identifies the Client’s psychological strategy for failure and the impact that this has on their life.

Analysis of the GAP

Analyzes the psychological and behavioral GAP between the Client’s past, present and desired future.

Stick with these guidelines, memorize them and allow them to help you gain a better understanding of yourself and your Client’s mental and physical patterns, and you will effectively unlock the keys to their psychological habitual tendencies.

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Current Reality Evaluation

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Current Reality Evaluation IQ Matrix guides a Life Coach through the process of evaluating a Client’s present reality, behavior, learning preferences and success strategy.

Here is a quick break down of each branch of this IQ Matrix:

Analysis of Behavior Patterns

Presents several thought provoking questions that helps break down a Client’s psychological behavior patterns.

Analysis of Learning Preferences

Helps pave the way for “learning from experience” by identifying a Client’s preferred learning style.

Learning Optimization

Breaks down some simple yet effective learning optimization techniques and strategies that will assist a Client to get the most out of their behavior, decisions and actions.

Determining Strategy for Success

Identifies the successful psychological patterns that a Client subconsciously and consciously undergoes during specific moments of their lives.

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Unlocking the MasterMind Matrix

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These 6 IQ Matrix Mind Maps are critical additions that help expand important components of the MasterMind Matrix Chart. Over the coming months we will continue unlocking additional segments of the MasterMind Matrix within individual IQ Matrix Mind Maps – helping to provide you with the most comprehensive Visual Thinking and Self-Improvement tool for Personal Transformation.

To find out how to get your hands on the MasterMind Matrix, please visit the IQ Matrix Shop.

IQ Matrix Lifetime Membership Price Rise

For those IQ Matrix Blog Readers who have purchased an IQ Matrix Lifetime Membership, you gain instant access to these new IQ Matrix Mind Maps direct from Your Account Page.

The IQ Matrix Lifetime Membership gives you instant access to all current and future IQ Matrix Mind Map Poster pdf downloads (including the MasterMind Matrix) the moment they are released to the public at the IQ Matrix Shop.

Purchasing the IQ Matrix Lifetime Membership will help support the ongoing development of IQ Matrix Mind Map Posters in the years to come – providing you with a comprehensive Self-Improvement Reference Library to help transform your life and keep you on track towards the attainment of your goals and objectives.

Due to the recent release of 14 New Premium IQ Matrix Maps, the Lifetime Membership price will subsequently increase from $175.00 to $200.00 as of November 1st 2009. All prices are in Australian Dollars.