Issue #51 ·
Motivational Interviewing: How Good Coaching Really Works
🎙️How good coaches and good questions, is a sauna as good as cardio? Why it's good to know to repair, and how to face your fears.
This week in building health 👇
Coaching, Motivational Interviewing and Feeling ‘Free’
The Mistake I made as a Teacher
In my early days as a teacher, I used to think I knew everything.
I felt it was my job to have the right answers and to make sure my students knew it.
But guess what? People didn't like that!
They wanted to figure things out themselves.
So, I learned that I have to be more like a lighthouse. I am showing the way, but not driving the ship.
Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Choose What they Want
This is the key in Motivational Interviewing:
You ask a few key questions to help people discover what they want to do
You are NOT telling them exactly what they should do.
I know it feels easier to have a coach tell us exactly what the steps are, but it is clear from the studies that if it’s something you chose for yourself, you’re more likely to stick to it.
When you pick for yourself, you get this sense of responsibility and ownership over your decisions- that that feels good!
Discovering Together is Like a Seesaw
One person sits on one end, and the other sits on the opposite end.
It doesn’t work if a coach just puts all their wisdom on one end, but nothing comes from you.
At the same time, you lack the expertise and knowledge to do it all yourself. You need a true expert to help you know what you do not know.
A seesaw works best when both people are active. It's the same with discovering what you really want.
A coach helps set the rhythm and offer some pushes, but you bring your own weight and pushes too. Only you know how high you want to go!
If one of us isn't fully in it, the seesaw doesn't work.
Your Turn: What do you bring to a coaching partnership?
We've delved into the principles of guidance, discernment, and growth, but how can you harness this wisdom when looking for a coach?
Self-Reflection: Before seeking external advice, take a moment to introspect. How well do you know yourself? What do your instincts tell you? Learning to trust your inner voice means you have a lot to bring to coaching relationship.
Seek Guidance, Not Directives: When discussing challenges with friends or mentors, ask for perspectives rather than solutions. This approach nurtures your decision-making muscles, promoting growth.
Practice Discernment: The next time you're faced with a choice, take a step back. Instead of impulsively selecting an option, weigh the pros and cons. And remember, there's no harm in occasionally seeking clear directives. What's essential is developing the ability to discern when to do so.
By integrating these principles into your daily life, you're not just passively consuming information but actively transforming it into wisdom.
It's a journey from merely knowing to authentically growing.
→ An In-Depth Read on Motivational Interviewing
My favorite health things for the week
// one
Sauna and Heart Health: A Natural Cardio Boost
12 minutes | Annie Lennon
Did you know that a sauna session can mimic the cardiovascular responses of aerobic exercises? As the heat rises, so does your heart rate, blood pressure, and sweat rate, resembling the effects of low-intensity workouts.
While the heart benefits are undeniable, I often jest about embracing a sauna in the Philippines — our tropical climate feels like nature's sauna every day!
// two
The Disappearing Art Of Maintenance
18 minutes | Alex Vuocolo
These days, it’s so tempting to go for the newest and hottest device and gadget.
But in this article, it goes in the opposite direction.
Maintenance has to be valued outside of austerity, challenging the very fabric of our consumption-driven economy.
Actor and craftsman Nick Offerman (yes that one— from The Office) has a quote I like,
"Things break, and those that fix things are better members of society."
This resonates deeply with me. The act of fixing is not just about restoring the physical; it's a spiritual journey, reinvigorating value in what's often dismissed as useless.
// three
Facing Your Fears-- Especially of what you can't do
6 minutes | RadReads
Fear is something we all feel sometimes, like when we're starting something new or making a big decision.
This article helps us think about fear in a smart way.
It gives us easy steps to understand why we're scared and what we can do about it.
I’m particularly struck by this Mark Twain quote:
“I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.”
I’m the type to worry a lot, and this one really hits home.
Remember, fear is only as strong as we let it be.
Until next time
Our newborn is already 8 weeks old! How time flies..
Amidst all that, I’m still trying my best to find little bits of time to exercise and stay active. It’s tricky.. because I feel guilty when I go outside the house to walk or run. Even though rationally I know I can’t be around 24/7.
Still a work in progress!
Have a Healthy Weekend