by Penny Dablin

Coaching has been described by some people as helping the client to close the gap between where they are now and where they would like to be.

This month I’d like to looking at closing that gap with GAP!

G – Goals

We can’t begin to close the gap between here and there if we don’t know what “there” is. What do you really want to achieve in this life? Where would you like to go? Who would you like to be? Who would you like to know? Make a huge list of everything you would like to have or to do or to be.

Now consider why. Why do you want these things? Will they improve your life significantly? Will they make you happier? Or healthier? Or richer? Or better liked? Or whatever is important to you? If you can’t come up with a strong reason why you want something then cross it off the list.

Take the things that are left and rewrite them as SMART goals. John Whitmore, in his book, Coaching for Performance, defines SMART goals as those that are Specific, Measurable, Agreed, Realistic and Timed.

That is they should be Specific not woolly generalisations and they must be phrased in the present tense as if they were already true.

They should be Measurable – how much money is “rich” for you?.

They should be Agreed with anyone else who is involved – you might want to spend your life sailing round the world but how does that impact your family?

The goals should be Realistic – but beware of putting limitations on your goals because of your small vision.

And they should be Timed, that is they should have a date for their achievement.

Keep the written list of goals in front of you and refer to it often throughout your days and weeks as you work towards achieving these goals.

A – Attitude

What is your attitude towards achieving your goals? Do you think they are achievable? Have you even done the exercise above?

If you really want to close the GAP then you need to cultivate a positive, action-oriented attitude. Believe you can do whatever you choose to do. Ask yourself empowering questions. Keep looking at what you can do rather than what you can’t do.

And A is also for Action.

Without action a goal is just a dream. You can make any number of decisions but until you act on those decisions, nothing will happen. Look at your goals, break them down into actions you can take within a short time frame. What can you do TODAY to move one step closer to that specific goal? And having decided what it is, take the action – just do it!

P – Persistence

You will very probably find that the road to achieving your goals is neither straight nor easy. You will face set backs and difficulties – that’s life! As the Americans say “get over it”. Rather than allow these set backs to set you back, keep on. Be persistent.

I have a piece by Calvin Coolidge on the wall of my office to remind me of this point whenever I am feeling discouraged in life:

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.
Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent.
Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.
The slogan “press on” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”

So persist in the face of adversity, don’t crumble. But remember, “if you keep on doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep on getting what you’ve always got.”

If you’re failing to achieve the results you want to achieve you may need to revisit your actions. Are you using the most effective strategies? Is there someone else who could help you? Do you know of anyone else who has done what you want to do? Can you speak to them and ask their advice? Or read their biography?

So, if you want to close the gap between where you are today and where you want to be, study the GAP!

Set your Goals

Watch your Attitude and take Action

And above all, keep Persisting until you succeed.