“We are each the author of our own health”. Someone wise observed that a while back, and these days, I imagine most of us agree. It’s why many of us eat broccoli and go to yoga class. As an integrative health coach, my job is to help my clients connect with their inner health-author. Together we envision their optimal health state in a range of domains extending beyond (the expected) diet and exercise to include relationships, personal and professional development, environment, mind-body connection—because our status in these realms both affects and is affected by our health. With the desired outcome in mind, we focus on goals that are likely to bring that vision about. And we make plans to reach those goals, anticipating obstacles and strategizing workarounds. It’s not a linear process…as action plans are pursued, the goals often change and the vision itself can take new shape and accrue deeper meaning.
The progression from Here to the Vision invariably requires change—behavior change, attitude or perspective change, habit change. When I say ‘change is hard’ I think it’s an understatement. (Anyone reading these words who knows otherwise please contact me!) We are creatures of habit. Habits compel our behaviors and thoughts under the level of awareness. They are easy because we don’t have to think about them. To change that, we have to first develop some awareness of our habits in action, then apply intention to the interruption of a habit we want to change, practice that little routine many times, and eventually we get a new habit we don’t have to think about, with the major difference that this new habit is chosen intentionally to support our vision of health. Viola — great outcome produced…with lots of work along a time trajectory of weeks or months or years. Where does the energy for that hard work come from? How do we sustain motivation to keep on with the slog of creating a new behavior? In the view of the health coaching paradigm, the envisioning process is crucial. That’s because we conjure from our hearts the picture (and energy) of what gives meaning to our efforts at authoring good health, rather than something (wrong) we are trying to fix.
Ponder for a moment the difference between a weight loss goal based on an aversion to the current reflection in the mirror, and the same weight loss goal that issues from a vision of passionate relationships and vitality for a fulfilling life. In scenario 1 the underlying message is ‘you are not good enough—hurry up and fix it!’. Scenario 2 is underpinned by an invitation to a full and satisfying life. Which of these messages do you find more motivating? For me, the thought of #1 arouses the confused rebel in me and I want to dive head-first into a big piece of chocolate cake. #2 has me more alert to other sources of life’s sweetness.
In my mind, the job of health coaching is to advocate for expanding the notion that ‘we are each the author of our health’. Your health coach takes a stand for you listening to yourself devoutly, for your taking time and space to connect with what is most meaningful in and for yourself, and for making sure your health goals are harnessed to that source. Otherwise, the notion that we are responsible for our state of being becomes an overwhelming and overbearing list of Shoulds. Can you relate?