The good news is that it is possible to live a life that is more by your design than by the "reflex responses" you’ve developed over the years. In addition, it is an outstanding experience to discover that you have more choices in your life than your "conditioned responses" have "tricked" you into believing. You can learn how to take control of the airplane. And, by the way, fly in style.

A good executive coach can also help you design and alter those habitual patterns into ones that serve to move you toward your goals and desires. How do you know which ones will serve you? Once you’ve selected what you really want, an executive coach can help you model the thinking patterns of individuals who have done what you want to do. These new thought patterns become your conditioned response that replaces the "old" habit.

The most effective coaching techniques work on an amazing array of "habits", including the familiar "difficult to change" habits like overeating, smoking, and drinking. The techniques are equally effective when applied to work related issues like fear of public speaking (yes, this is a "habit"), stress, getting angry at the drop of a hat, frustration at not achieving the goals you set, difficulty setting realistic goals or procrastination.

Habitual thinking "habits" can be very subtle in their impact. If you feel frustrated and that you are not getting what you want, then it is worthwhile to take a step back and see what "autopilot" modes you operate in most frequently.    The first step is to decide that you're fed up with being on "autopilot", the second step is to look for alternatives, like executive coaching to get you where you want to go.

In future articles we will discuss:

Why we stay "stuck" in habits, and specifically how coaching works.

Additional reading:

Reference List

BioTactics in Action: New Year's resolutions that stick.«