Our 5th foundational element of coaching is to build good habits and remove bad ones.

This element is about building in the day-to-day consistency that will get our clients to the other side of the transformation.

Building Good Habits

First, what helpful habits do our clients need to add daily to make the transformation easier?

You want to look at the obvious ones and the not so obvious ones.

In the weight loss example we've been using, an obvious habit might be to add exercise routine. Or to drink at least 64 ounces of water.

A not so obvious habit might be to have them go on Instagram each morning to look at before and after pictures of people who have lost weight. This helps our clients feel inspired and hopeful as they start their day.

Doing this can prove to our clients that they have the ability to take the consistent actions necessary to become a new person.

Think about those habits that need to become second nature. Habits that done long enough will change how your clients see themselves.

Removing Bad Habits

What habits are currently sabotaging, or have the potential to sabotage, your clients' results?

In the weight loss case, it might be that the family sits down to dinner in front of the TV. Or it might be that our clients grab a muffin for breakfast before heading out the door in the morning.

Look for big and small ways to either cut or replace the bad habits your clients are currently engaging in.

You can then use the Pareto principle to decide which ones to work on first.

In the next article, we'll talk about how to help your clients develop the right mindset, beliefs, and identity to make the change permanent.