As part of continuing education credits, I studied wellness coaching back in 2010 and it was one of the best investments in my personal training experiences. I am able to apply the principles of positivity, curious questioning (open-ended questions that drive deeper thinking), and support/celebration of successes.
In the Webster Dictionary, Wellness is defined as “the quality or state of being in good health especially as an actively sought goal.”
Good health is more than just good nutrition or a good workout regime. It’s about all the elements of our being. It’s about assessing our spiritual, mental, social, physical, professional and emotional states, and how we’re striving to achieve the happiness that each brings us. The National Wellness Institute has an excellent in-depth review of The Six Dimension of Wellness,
Wellness coaches are trained to help clients develop and implement personal wellness plans by:
- Accepting today and facing the moment
- Asking to take charge of goals to achieve balance
- Guiding mindful thinking and doing work that builds confidence
- Helping define a higher purpose for wellness and uncover natural impulses to be well
- Helping tap into an innate fighting spirit
- Addressing mental and physical health together
- Helping draw a personal wellness blueprint
- Helping set realistic goals
- Celebrating small victories which lay the foundation for self-efficacy
- Harnessing strengths needed to overcome obstacles
- Helping view obstacles as opportunities to learn and grow
- Helping build a support team
- Inspiring and challenging to go beyond limiting self-doubt
What drew me to wellness coaching was the use of positive psychology. I am an advocate that more is accomplished when we focus on the positive. In work and home, I see how powerful positive motivation and celebrations help drive better and faster results with greater confidence.
If you’re interested in creating your own simplified Personal Wellness Plan, here are six very simple steps to begin:
- Assess your current state in each of the 6 areas of wellness.
- Pick 1 to 3 areas where you’re looking to make a positive change.
- Before creating goals, write a list in each of what you’re doing well.
- Make 1 or 2 goals to actively pursue. Remember, SMART: Specific, Measurable, Applicable, Reasonable, Timely.
- Share with a close friend, family member, or support group that you know are going to be your cheerleaders.
- Celebrate when you achieve each goal.
- Repeat 1 through 6.
What areas and goals are you going to add to your personal wellness plan? Let’s share to help motivate and cheer each other to success!
“Wellness.” Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 6 Mar. 2018.