When we think about maintaining our health you might not always consider your mind as a part of that process.  However, maintaining a healthy mind is extremely important. Furthermore, you may not consider that your relationship with God and your knowledge of His truth and His plan for your life is a part of maintaining a healthy mind. Scripture tells us in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (NIV)

Renewing your mind involves spending time in God’s Word.  It is very similar to what we think of as “physical feeding” except it is spiritual”food” for our souls.  Much like a new seed needs water to “grow” we need spiritual food and water to grow spiritually and for our minds to know the truths in God’s word and God’s plan we must spend time in God’s word, renewing our minds. As the Bible says in John 15: 1-8, we must stay connected to the vine in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle and bear spiritual fruit,

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”  (NIV)

Maintain a healthy mind, grow in God’s truth and know His plan for your life, by staying connected to Him daily through prayer and studying of His Word.

If you are a coach and you are familiar with the DISC profile, you  know that you can use this helpful tool in raising self awareness to adapt your communication for more effective coaching sessions.

During a coaching lab recently with one of my coaching students,  we re-played the taped session so we could assess her coaching skills. My student immediately noticed she was asking more “what” questions. She said she wanted to ask different type questions next time and would focus on  using “how”, “what if”.. “tell me”.

In further discussion about her tendency to ask “what” questions, she was reminded that in an earlier phase of our class, she took the DISC assessment, and her preferred behavioral style was “D” – Dominant (Choleric/Lion) direct, task and results-oriented.  Typically this profile prefers to ask “What” questions as it fits comfortably with their drive-for-results “what are you going to do”.. “what options are you considering?”.. “what are some possible obstacles?” 

Although my student did not display additional tendencies of a “D” personality, I thought it may be interesting to write a blog post on all 4 profiles and this is the first.

As a “Dominant/Direct coach, you can be more effective if you try to shift the tendency to “control”  into a “support” role, and temper your pace. You have a tendency to talk fast, move fast and expect others to do the same. Dominant/Direct people are usually “big picture” people and highly creative problem solvers.  Practice slowing down with your client; since you are a D and  “driven” for results and fast paced, you may want to practice “patience”. In some DiSC training sessions, we like to think of animals that represent the 4 personalities.  What better animal to represent the Dominant than the natural leader of the jungle, the Lion?

And, what if you are coaching a client who has a preferred communication style of a “D”? You will want to “get to the point” and appreciate brevity.  Keep in mind that “D’s” are visionary about their future and they like brainstorming.  They make quick decisions and are  results oriented so one area you may want to help them is to ensure they are considering how their decisions will impact others, and help them think through obstacles.  They are ready to jump right in and can sometimes  “Ready, Fire, Aim.”  Since  “D”‘s are results-oriented, their personal lives and relationships can be out of balance so help them focus on the relationship side and be appreciative of  “this moment”  instead of “tomorrow”.

Watch for a future post on the “I” – Influencer as a coach and client.

Learn more about our DISC Training and Certification Course

As a Christian coach building a business, an important thing to remember is the concept of paying it forward.  The power and reach that the Internet and social media provides is remarkable.  You will be surprised what a following and reach  you can build by becoming involved in social media and learning to “pay it forward”.

Some great social media sites to get started with include Twitter, Facebook and Linked In.  These sites will allow you to build a community, create relationships and enjoy conversation.  For the Christian coach the idea of using these tools should be about building relationships.  Your efforts should go into helping others to succeed, providing encouragement, and pointing  them to your website and your services.

You can do this by introducing your followers to others that you know who would benefit from the relationship.  On Linked In use the “recommendations” tool to write glowing reviews of your colleagues which will help them in their quest to find connections.  Join groups and “Like”  others Fan pages on Facebook to help promote them as well.

Another way that you can pay it forward with your business online is via your own website or blog, a great promotional tool is to host a giveaway, give of your time and talents by offering a free coaching session to a reader. You may have readers comment on a particular post to enter or have them tweet about the contest to gain extra entries.  You will not only create a buzz about your site but you will also help someone else in return.

Whichever way you choose to get involved in social media begin with the idea of paying it forward and you will surely succeed.

We all have a dozen requests for our attention, commitment and time on a daily basis, likely maybe even more than that.  It is no wonder that saying “no” to things is so difficult.  After all we live in a world where we can truly have it all, right?

That may be true, but it is important that we learn to say, “no”.  Saying no fits in with drawing boundaries, having margins and good self care.  All three are important for us to ultimately live our lives in a way where we don’t feel overwhelmed.  Most of us have enough on our plates than to be a “yes” man or woman to everyone who comes at us with requests, even good requests like serving on a committee at church.  The fact is the requests themselves aren’t a “bad” thing but over committing and overextending ourselves can be.

The truth is you do not have to over explain or defend yourself when someone comes to you with a request that you know you do not have the time or energy to fulfill.  The important thing is to be honest with them about your time commitments and your need to set boundaries in your life.

You must realize that over time saying yes to every request can make you feel negative, obligated and may lead to resentment for you in the future.  It is not worth risking this and your personal life to say “yes” to every request that comes your way.  Simply learn to say, “No” with grace.