Your client is struggling to make progress. What can you do to help them move forward?

Identifying the root cause is such a crucial and foremost point to consider this when a client is struggling to make progress! 1. Don't discount internal barriers the client is facing to something external. Be vigilant about any inner barrier. 2. Identify if the path to progress can be achieved by healing the fears (most of the times, it is the answer) Future progress becomes easy when unhealed, fragmented parts of the clients are brought back together and integrated into them. 3. Ask open-ended questions as opposed to closed ended for getting the accurate analysis from the client. 4. Be patient and demonstrate active listening skills with the clients. 5. Encourage clients to put the discussion on a paper for creating space in mind.

Sometimes, progress feels like it’s waaay off in the distance and you’ll never get there. If you're feeling stuck, we can work together to uncover the hidden roadblocks and time sucks wedged into in your daily routine. It's about looking closely at what you do each day and asking, "How does this serve me?" Then we break down big goals into smaller, more manageable steps. Think of them as micro-steps to success. After all, we have to put our shoes on before we run a marathon, right? It’s important to know it's okay to let go of things that don't serve you anymore. This isn't giving up, it's making room for what truly matters. You CAN do it.

Progress can be hampered if one is unclear on what has made someone take on a task. If the task or the end goal is unclear, benefits are ambiguous then sluggishness can set in. Reviewing the core objective of the undertaken task is then needed. Ask "What makes this outcome important to you?" Answer to this can become either motivational or give the reason for slow or no progress.

As a Life Coach, here's how you can help: Identify Barriers : Pinpoint specific obstacles that are hindering progress. Often times it's the resistance to change or the comfort stops them from progressing. Reassess Goals: Ensure goals are realistic and aligned with current circumstances. Adjust Strategies: Modify action plans based on what's working and what isn't. Provide Accountability: Establish a system to hold the client accountable for commitments. Break Tasks Down: Divide larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks for clarity. Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate even minor achievements for motivation. Explore Outside Support: Discuss involving external resources or a support network.

The problem that you see on the surface is never the actual problem. So ask questions to identify what is actually leading to their lack of progress. Ask questions like: - "Why did you agree to working with me?" - "What was you primary goal?" - "What is getting in the way of your progress?" Remember that they hired you to hold them accountable and stand in the fire with them. Don't be afraid to ask tough questions.

Help your client view their challenges from different perspectives. This can involve highlighting the learning opportunities in setbacks or viewing obstacles as a normal part of the growth process. Encourage them to see the bigger picture and how this phase fits into their overall journey.

Reframe setbacks or mistakes not as failures but valuable lessons. Every challenge contains wisdom if we reflect on what we can learn rather than reacting with fear or shame. Highlight silver linings within difficulties. Even hard times often lead to hidden gifts, from strengthening resilience to sparking creativity through adversity. Normalize struggles as part of growth. We all face obstacles, and it's not a personal flaw to do so. Having empathy for their humanness can reduce pressure. Affirm that they have come this far by their efforts and character. Progress happens through grit and perseverance, so they have proven qualities needed to succeed.

Based on my own experience working with coaching clients in 5 years, this below tip is very helpful. Between a coaching journey (ideally after 3-4 sessions), coach should plan a “short-break” to help coaching client create a space for themselves to PAUSE and REFLECT the progress. It helps regain the momentum and focus, allow client to set the stage for next steps.

Often, clients see progress as a reflection of meeting a tangible end goal. It is measured against where they wish to arrive at. I guide clients to shift away from this 0 or 1 mindset by benchmarking progress based on where they started instead. It is important for client to recognise their transformation is a journey. The knowledge gained, self awareness unpacked, new connections made or simply stepping out from their comfort zone should be celebrated as progress vs where they started.

A technique I have used is to work with clients to visualise the end goal/product. Then ask them to consider how they are feeling in the moment when they have achieved. We capture those words and use them as motivation to drive them forward when they find they are not making progress or have limiting beliefs creeping in which detract from making progress toward their goal.

More often than not unclear and ambiguous goals come in the way of progress. When we don't know where we are going, we would not know when we have arrived. Evidence of achievement is essential to be motivated. Clarity on goals that come from them being SMART is very helpful in progress tracking. Most importantly when the Relevance of the goal is clear, it becomes the adrenaline that boosts performance.

Plus l'objectif sera précis, réalisable et mesurable, plus la séance sera efficace et permettra d'apporter les changements souhaités par le client.

In a world where meritocracy places a high premium on measurable achievements, it's easy to forget the essence of our human experience. While the concept of SMART goals has become ingrained in our pursuit of success, there's merit in recognizing the value of clear, flexible objectives. As individuals in a meritocratic system, we should have the freedom to define our aspirations in ways that resonate with our unique journeys. Sometimes, it's about more than just ticking boxes; it's about the meaningful pursuit of what truly matters to us, allowing for a richer and more fulfilling human experience. Change, in this context, is not solely about efficiency but about efficacy-effectively navigating our personal paths toward growth and fulfillment

Setting SMART goals involves collaboratively defining specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound objectives with the client. Breaking down larger objectives into smaller tasks aids in attainability, offering a step-by-step roadmap for gradual progress. Aligning these goals with the client's long-term vision adds a meaningful dimension, providing purpose and motivation. This process ensures clarity and feasibility in goal-setting, fostering a connection between short-term objectives and overarching life goals.

Collaborate with your client to set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals. SMART goals provide clarity and a sense of direction. Break down larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks to make progress more tangible and less overwhelming.

Clients need support. They can not do it alone, that is why they require the expertise of a coach. So supporting clients is essential so that they can feel encouraged and motivated to do more and be more.

Recognizing the imperfections in one's own decisions and beliefs can be more challenging than identifying those made by others. Hence, obtaining an honest opinion from a knowledgeable third party who is detached from the situation is always a blessing. It could be your experience, innovative thinking, or approach to addressing challenges that benefit the client. One thing is certain, such engagements will foster enduring relationships that benefit not only your client but also yourself.

As a positive psychology coach, I work with clients who are sometimes struggling to make progress and feeling trapped. I believe that recognizing such challenges and sharing them with someone takes courage and I make sure to create a space that is built on trust and fosters open communication. Often, my clients say they feel liberated and empowered once they have the opportunity to express themselves, even if it seems overwhelming at first. My clients trust that they can learn and grow from any situation, which ultimately gives them a renewed perspective and hope, even when they feel stuck.

Feedback and support from the coach are crucial for helping the client stay on track and overcome obstacles. The coach should provide constructive feedback that highlights the client's strengths and areas for improvement. Additionally, offering encouragement, reassurance, and practical assistance can help boost the client's confidence and motivation to keep moving forward.

Feedback is the most important aspect of coaching. There is no point of moving your client forward, getting them to see things from a positive mindset, taking tiny steps forward, working towards achievable goals if there is no evaluation of how things are going. As a coach, you need to be honest. You are not a cheer leader, you are not there to blow smoke up their orifices, you are there to guide them, to be honest with them and to support them in their journey; so feedback should be honest, kind, but honest; to move them further forward towards their ultimate goal.

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow.'" - Mary Anne Radmacher In a world that often celebrates the grand and dramatic, it's important to recognize the strength found in the small, consistent efforts to overcome obstacles. Each day is a new opportunity to muster the courage to pursue our goals, learn from setbacks, and embrace the resilience to try again. Set small, achievable goals for yourself each day. Celebrate the victories, no matter how small, and use setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth. Tomorrow brings a fresh chance to continue the journey towards your aspirations, armed with the courage to face whatever comes your way.

Most ideas fail for the rubber never meets the road. The car rusts in the garage for the driver waits for all perfect conditions to be met. Client needs to be encouraged to take action, try various roads to know what works for them Action bring learning as well as skills. If you are on the road, you know where traffic thickens, where is the bend, where an Eatery is to when a free lane presents itself for languid driving. This information comes with trying out a behaviour. That keeps you updated! So a client must use insights to create action to drive meaningful change!

Clearly identifying the situation at hand and acknowledging one's part in it actually is empowering although it may sound counter-intuitive. It opens up the opportunity to then take action to change elements of the situation that are under one's control. So then think, what could I do differently going forward or what small change can I make? Thus, breaking down into tiny decisions enables to make the problem less daunting from a nervous system perspective and more easily approachable. The door is unlocked and the client feels confident they can now move forward.

Deepening the learning and forwarding the action are two of the fundamental objectives of Co-Active coaching. Within a coaching session, considering their answers to powerful questions, the coachee can have insights into their situation / perspective / topic which they never had before: this is deepening the learning. And they can take away another powerful question to consider, in the form of an Inquiry, so that the learning continues beyond the coaching call. Forwarding the action is a powerful way to further their learning as well as make a practical difference to their issues. When the coachee decides on an action to take between coaching sessions, and then takes the action, or doesn’t take the action - either way they learn.

Encouraging your client to take proactive steps toward their goals is vital for progress. Action serves as a catalyst for positive change, empowering them to overcome inertia and initiate their journey. Emphasize the value of learning from both successes and setbacks—successes provide insights into effective strategies, while setbacks offer opportunities for growth. Cultivating a mindset of continuous improvement prompts reflection and adaptability, reinforcing the dynamic nature of the journey towards their goals. This mindset equips clients to navigate challenges, maintain resilience, and consistently move forward in their pursuit of success.

The client's definition of success could only be whether or not they attain the underlying goal. However, the accumulation of small and big wins along the journey is another way of reframing their success I like to keep a log of their wins and remind them of these. It drives momentum and confidence, especially during times when the client is struggling to make progress. After all, slow progress is better than no progress.

Reviewing and celebrating is critcial, yet often missed step. The brain naturally focuses on what still needs to be done rather than what has already happened, but this just feeds the "stuck" feeling for the client. Because many clients are not used to the celebration, some even feel uncomfortable at the thought and/or don't know how to celebrate smaller progress. One thing I've done for clients hesitant to celebrate is ask them what was the last thing they did that they felt proud of, and how that pride felt in their body and mind. Then together we uncover a unique way to pull that feeling into the present for the progress they make each day. They set small daily benchmarks and when they meet them, they practice FEELING proud.

It's important to celebrate the progress that your client has made. Every positive step is worth celebrating. When your client validates himself/herself, it gives them a confidence boost. They will also feel better equipped to face the challenges ahead. Nothing is more powerful that the realisation that "I can handle this".

Il est essentiel de célébrer chaque victoire, qu'elle soit grande ou petite. Cela permet d'améliorer l'estime de soi et la confiance en soi, qui sont primordiales pour un changement positif.

Regularly reviewing progress and celebrating achievements along the way is essential for maintaining motivation and momentum. The coach and client can periodically assess the client's progress towards their goals, identify any areas that may need adjustment, and celebrate milestones and successes together. This positive reinforcement reinforces the client's sense of accomplishment and encourages them to keep pushing forward towards their objectives.

According for the Model for Change, the first step toward change is Precontemplation which means the person doesn't even acknowledge the problem. The second step is Contemplation which mean they are acknowledging the problem but are not yet ready to make the change. Change is hard. Your client might be making internal progress so you don't see it.

I don’t share the assumption that it’s my role as the coach to move them forward. If a client presents as stuck or stationary it doesn’t mean there isn’t movement. It is more likely that something deeper needs attention. The deeper we go the more likely it is that the ‘something’ is an emotion they are not attending to. Sitting with clients when they appear to be stuck means we sit with their frustration and discomfort and may feel that too. I ask Coach supervisees to consider how they feel about frustration and discomfort. Might they also be experiencing something out of awareness. Finally, coaches may also assume that the client’s discomfort and frustration is in response to them as coach. This is also part of the work.

Instead of looking forwards from here, consider looking backwards from there..... It's the end of your life. People stand at your grave, talking about you. What are they saying? What are you remembered for? How do you feel about what you are hearing? Did you achieve everything you set out to accomplish? Were you happy? Who was with you at the end? Did you make a difference? What are you leaving behind as a memory, a legacy, a lesson for those who follow?

Encourage experimentation. Suggest they try new ideas or approaches, even if risky. Learning happens outside our comfort zone. Small failures are okay if we learn. Account for setbacks. Progress isn't linear. Explain that relapse is normal and doesn't mean starting over. How can they get back on track after slips? Tap into motivation. Explore why this matters to them and how they can reconnect to their "why." Inspire renewed energy from within, not just direction from without. Leverage support. Recommend involving helpful people, support groups if isolating. Accountability partners can provide perspective and companionship through challenges.

Progress may look different on different days. Help your client understand this that as long as we are working towards the goal, irrespective of the effort and momentum, every step counts. Try using a metaphor they can relate to and share how journeys take time and are yet worth it. I share the story of growing a new plant and how seasons, time and factors beyond our control are ever-present and all we have in our control is to nourish at our best. The plant will grow, one day at a time, one leaf at a time ??