Om_Yoga_Magazine__November_2017

(Nancy Kaufman) #1

COACHING INSPIRING BREAKTHROUGHS


[email protected] PERSYOU.COM


om mind


fundamentals, just like scales for a bassoonist, is key to any success.
In essence, understanding what their Bb major scale looks like to
them.
We begin this process by moving through three stages identifying:
fundamentals, vision and strategy.


Fundamentals
What are the fundamentals for us in our everyday life? They can be
as diverse as humanity itself, whether it be spending time with loved
ones, engaging in hobbies, keeping fit or spending time on the yoga
mat. For others it can be morning walks, cooking, playing music or
simply not trying to do too much!
For many of us yoga is a vital bedrock, helping us make sense
of our frenetic lives. A former yoga teacher of mine had a very
colourful analogy for practicing yoga, likening it to a speed bump
in a busy road, giving you time to centre, stop and refocus before
gathering speed once more. For me, those yoga sessions were a
fundamental for me at a time of major change.
When first identifying our fundamentals, it can sometimes be
difficult to get clarity. This is completely natural. It can be very
helpful to invite friends and family, who know you so well to tell you
what they see as your fundamental activities. Other people can
often provide a different viewpoint and are not as wrapped up in
your life as you are!


Vision
Once you have explored and identified what your own Bb major
scale looks like, the next stage is to envision making change
happen. Try actually visioning where you want to get to, exploring
what it looks and feels like, including all the senses, when you have


achieved your fundamental goals. The more real and specific you
are with your vision, the more likely you are to achieve it.

Strategies
Once you have fundamentals and vision in place, it is time to plan
the ways to achieve these targets – your strategies. This stage is all
about dealing with the details, the specifics of how you are actually
going to get things moving and in place. This could consist, for
example, of enrolling at the gym for a new class or setting aside time
outside of work for yourself. Ensure that you are honest with yourself
about how much you can actually take on. Remember to be kind
to yourself and not set yourself up for failure by trying to cram too
much into your life, especially during an exhausting time with lots of
change. This should be a fun task, not something that will cause you
more stress! Get creative with this process, and do what works for
you. Some people like creating vision boards with diagrams to guide
them on their way.
As time goes on it is always good to reflect and check in with your
progress. Do you need to change your strategy or has your vision
changed slightly?

Begin your journey
Creating awareness around what is important to you and planning
how you will implement these themes into your life can provide a
strong basis on which to operate in times of uncertainty. Put another
way: identifying your fundamentals, vision and strategies can go a
long way to helping you thrive in times of change. But make sure you
have your Bb major scales in place first!

Nicholas McKie, certified coach and founder of Persyou (persyou.com)
Free download pdf