How to Prep for a Life Coaching Session
Bring something Meaningful To your session
A profound life coaching experience has the potential to bring about transformative changes, particularly when you are ready and willing to focus on specific areas of your life. Your coach will be there to guide and support you throughout the session, but ultimately, it is up to you to bring something meaningful and specific to work on during each meeting. You might choose to dedicate your sessions to a single subject until you have made significant progress or achieved your desired goals. Alternatively, you may seek coaching without having pinpointed a specific objective yet, knowing only that you are not currently living your best life.
As a somatic and mindfulness life coach, my ultimate aim is to assist you in finding your own sense of empowerment. This journey may involve gaining clarity on what aspects of your life you wish to change, cultivating new habits that serve you better, overcoming outdated beliefs and emotional patterns, learning how to regulate your emotions effectively, establishing healthier boundaries, or gaining a deeper understanding of your own nervous system.
In the realm of life coaching, the process is centered around self-inquiry and supported by the gentle guidance of your coach. If you haven't yet developed the skill of observing yourself without judgment, your coach will fulfill that role for you.
So, how can you prepare yourself for a life coaching session? It begins with self-inquiry, which means paying attention to what captures your focus, how you direct your attention, and how you relate to the things that capture your attention. By developing this self-awareness, you can engage in a more fruitful and insightful coaching experience.
Pay Attention to What you Pay Attention to
"Pay attention to what you pay attention to" may sound obvious, but it holds significant importance. Take note of how you direct your attention and the mindset you adopt when focusing on something that makes you uncomfortable. Are you approaching it with anger, fear, or a victim mentality? How does this realization make you feel, and where do you feel it in your body? This process is a means of delving deeper into self-discovery—self-inquiry. Can you approach it with a friendly intention?
How to prep for your session
Preparing for a somatic and mindfulness session may have some similarities to preparing for a traditional life coaching session, but there are some additional considerations. Here are some steps to help you prepare for a somatic and mindfulness session as a client:
1. Set your intention: Before the session, clarify your intention for the somatic and mindfulness work. What specific areas of your body or aspects of your well-being do you want to explore or address? Reflect on what you hope to gain from the session and set your intention accordingly.
2. Create a calm environment: Similar to a traditional coaching session, find a quiet and comfortable space where you can engage in the somatic and mindfulness practice without distractions. Make sure the environment supports relaxation and a sense of safety. You are in charge of your set and setting, choose a space that you enjoy being in. Take a moment to set yourself up comfortably.
3. Practice self-awareness: It only takes a few moments to check in with yourself. Notice any physical sensations, emotions, or thoughts that are present. This self-awareness can help you tune into your body during the somatic and mindfulness session and provide valuable insights to share with your coach.
4. Dress comfortably: Wear clothing that allows you to move freely and feel at ease in your body. Choose comfortable, non-restrictive clothing that supports your relaxation and engagement in the somatic practices.
5. Be open and receptive: Approach the session with an open mind and a willingness to explore sensations, emotions, and experiences that arise during the session. Be curious and open to new perspectives and insights that may emerge.
6. Trust the practitioner: If you're working with a somatic and mindfulness practitioner, trust in their guidance. Establish a sense of safety and trust in the practitioner-client relationship, knowing that they are there to support and guide you through the process. Trust doesn’t come automatically for some, and that’s okay. If trust is difficult for you, begin with self-trust. Know that you are following your own lead and desire for self-understanding and development.
7. Set aside time for reflection: After the session, set aside some time for reflection and integration. Journaling about your experiences, insights, and any shifts you noticed can be helpful in deepening your understanding and applying what you've learned in your daily life. Much of the insight that comes from coaching happens between sessions when you follow the curiosity that is sparked from each session.
Remember that somatic and mindfulness work is a process of embodiment and self-discovery. We are always embodying something, take time to notice what it is you’re embodying. Being present, open, and receptive can enhance the benefits of the session and support your personal growth and well-being.
