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Learn How to Self Coach: Self Coaching Model & Self Coaching Program (with PDF)

Updated April 5, 2023

So you want to be your own life coach? Self-coaching is the ultimate DIY project for personal growth enthusiasts. But without a proper self coaching program, model and strategies, you might be setting yourself up for failure.

As a self coach, you’ll become your own personal cheerleader, motivational speaker, and wise sage—all rolled into one. Not only does self-coaching save you the expense of hiring a professional coach, but it also offers the advantage of truly knowing your own quirks, strengths, and challenges. 

With self-coaching, you can customize your personal growth journey to your heart’s content, all while enjoying the flexibility of your own schedule. After all, who better to guide you toward success than the person who has a front-row seat to your life?

So, buckle up and get ready to explore the exciting world of self-improvement, guided by the most knowledgeable and entertaining coach you know—you!


SEE ALSO: If you want to get more from your life, and are looking for concrete action steps to get you there, check out our Request a Coach page. It’s a “cut the fence-sitting and take action” way to tackle your issues and actually find success. You’ll be matched with the coaches most suited to you to get you from where you are to where you want to be. To get off the fence and start to take action, click or tap here.


Self coaching can work for some and not others. Mostly this is dependent on a person's motivation and drive to succeed.	Tracy Hamilton Coaching Quote

Does self coaching work?


All too often we make resolutions to change and have all good intentions, but something gets in the way and we don’t follow through.


 

How to make self coaching

Since we are all different, it’s fair to say that self coaching can work for some and not others. Mostly this is dependent on your motivation and drive to succeed. All too often we make resolutions to change and have all good intentions, but something gets in the way and we don’t follow through.

When we engage with a life coach we create a relationship that is both supportive and empowering. Working alongside a coach, they will help to:

  • Clarify our goals.
  • Keep us on track.
  • Hold us accountable for our actions or inactions.
  • Notice when something needs to change and when your resilience is low.
  • Stay motivated and focused.
  • Bring out our hidden potential.

But when we try to improve on our own, we don’t have that accountability partner. When we work through a program or book by ourselves, we can lose interest pretty quickly. It can be easy to get into negative self talk and create a destructive cycle that stops us making the necessary changes. Can you relate to these common thoughts?

  • Nothing is happening.
  • I don’t have time for this now.
  • I feel distracted and forget why I want to achieve my goal in the first place.
  • No-one is there to support me in this and it’s all too much.
Man tired of fitness routine since nothing happens

Does any of this sound familiar? That’s not to say that these thoughts will not arise when engaged with a life coach. The difference will be that the coach can help you through those thoughts with support and encouragement to continue.

How to make self coaching WORK FOR YOU

If you engage in self coaching, it;s vital to ensure the following for your best success:

  • That you have a support network and someone who will hold you accountable.
  • That you make time regularly to spend on completing your goal.
  • That you notice all the small achievements along the way and reward yourself for them.
  • That you stay motivated and focused on what you want to achieve.
How to make self coaching work

How to self coach: A self coaching program

If you are working with a coach, they will follow some tried and true steps that help you reach your goals. If you are going to embark on the journey of coaching yourself, make sure to learn about and draw from the following main pillars of coaching.

1. Work on goal setting

Goal setting is a major part of coaching. To excel at self coaching, read up on how to define specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. Break down goals into smaller chunks to keep things manageable. Track your progress. Use a goal setting template such as the one we provide.


SEE ALSO: If you want to get more from your life, and are looking for concrete action steps to get you there, check out our Request a Coach page. It’s a “cut the fence-sitting and take action” way to tackle your issues and actually find success. You’ll be matched with the coaches most suited to you to get you from where you are to where you want to be. To get off the fence and start to take action, click or tap here.


Use visualization. Imagine yourself achieving your goals and experiencing the emotions that come with success. Visualization can help increase your motivation and confidence.

If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it - then I can achieve it. Muhammad Ali Coaching Quote

2. Journaling is a must

Journaling is a tool coaches use regularly. Start keeping a journal and take time to reflect on your experiences, emotions, and thoughts. 

Journaling for self-coaching is kind of like being your own personal Sherlock Holmes, but instead of solving crimes, you’re cracking the case of your own self-improvement! By jotting down your thoughts, emotions, and experiences, you’re collecting valuable “clues” about your life. 

To continue the analogy, journaling is a great way to uncover the mysteries of your goals, track your progress, and even reveal those sneaky habits that might be playing hide-and-seek in your daily life. 

Plus, let’s be honest, who doesn’t enjoy a good venting session in writing?

3. Ask yourself powerful questions

Asking powerful questions is a big one with coaches. In fact the bulk of a coaching session involves a coach asking you open-ended questions that will challenge you and encourage deeper thinking, such as “What are my core values?” or “How can I improve my communication skills?” Here are some you can try on yourself in your self coaching odyssey.

  1. What do I truly want to achieve in my personal or professional life?
  2. What are my core values?
  3. How closely do my values align with my goals and actions?
  4. What are my strengths?
  5. How can I leverage them to reach my goals?
  6. What are my weaknesses?
  7. What steps can I take to address them?
  8. What limiting beliefs might be holding me back from achieving my goals?
  9. What can I learn from my past successes?
  10. How about my failures?
  11. Where is the boundary of my comfort zone?
  12. Are there any ways it might be holding me back from my goals?
  13. What does success look like for me?
  14. What specific actions can I take to move closer to my goals?
  15. How can I maintain motivation and resilience in the face of setbacks?
  16. What habits or behaviors should I start to support my growth?
  17. Which could I stop?
  18. What resources or support do I need to achieve my goals?
  19. What are three things I need to obtain them?
  20. How do I want to grow as a person?

4. Establish routines

Create daily, weekly, or monthly routines to help you stay on track with your goals and maintain a healthy work-life balance. 

Here are a few ideas:

  1. Morning routine: Start your day with a series of activities that energize and focus you, such as meditation, journaling, exercise, or reading an inspiring book. This sets a positive tone for the rest of the day.
  2. Evening routine: Reflect on your day, noting your achievements, challenges, and areas for improvement. Use this time to plan for the following day and practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, to ensure a good night’s sleep.
  3. Weekly review: Set aside time each week to review your progress towards your goals, assess your habits, and adjust your plans as needed. Celebrate your successes and identify any obstacles that need to be addressed.
  4. Monthly check-in: Conduct a more in-depth monthly review to evaluate your overall progress and make any necessary adjustments to your goals or strategies. This can also be a time to explore new resources or learning opportunities.
  5. Learning routine: Dedicate a specific time each day or week to learn new skills, read, or listen to podcasts relevant to your goals. This helps ensure continuous growth and development.
  6. Self-care routine: Prioritize self-care activities, such as exercise, socializing, or pursuing hobbies, to maintain a healthy work-life balance and reduce stress.
  7. Time-blocking: Schedule specific blocks of time for focused work, learning, or personal development activities. This helps minimize distractions and ensures you allocate enough time for your self-coaching efforts.
  8. Accountability routine: Share your goals and progress with a trusted friend, family member, or mentor, and schedule regular check-ins to discuss your achievements and challenges. This adds an extra layer of accountability and provides valuable feedback.
  9. Gratitude practice: Spend a few minutes each day reflecting on the things you’re grateful for. This helps cultivate a positive mindset and increases overall well-being.
Motivational reminder: You got this!

5. Balance work and life

As any coach, and they will tell you work-life balance is a big issue their clients struggle with. If you are going to self-coach, start developing some coach-oriented strategies to help you stay on track. 

Remember, when striving for work-life balance, the key is to harmonize your work and personal life in a way that fuels your growth while still allowing room for relaxation and the occasional indulgence in a guilty pleasure TV show. By striking the right balance, you can make sure that you remain engaged, motivated, and ready to tackle your self-coaching objectives with gusto. 

Here are a few strategies to use when self coaching so you keep that balance alive:


SEE ALSO: If you want to get more from your life, and are looking for concrete action steps to get you there, check out our Request a Coach page. It’s a “cut the fence-sitting and take action” way to tackle your issues and actually find success. You’ll be matched with the coaches most suited to you to get you from where you are to where you want to be. To get off the fence and start to take action, click or tap here.


  1. Prioritize ruthlessly: Treat your time like it’s a VIP guest list—only the most important tasks get in.
  2. Set boundaries: Communicate your limits to coworkers and loved ones, as if you’re guarding the entrance to your personal Fortress of Solitude.
  3. Learn to say “no”: It’s a magical word that can free up your calendar faster than you can say “abracadabra.”
  4. Schedule downtime: Pencil in time for relaxation and hobbies, or else you’ll watch them vanish like a magician’s disappearing act.
  5. Delegate and outsource: Sharing responsibilities isn’t just caring, it’s also downright liberating!
  6. Embrace the 80/2 rule: Perfection is overrated; sometimes it’s better to let go and move on before you get stuck in an endless loop of tweaks and adjustments.
6 Strategies to balance work & life when self coaching

You can also take a page from a work-life balance coach and follow this set of work-life balance coaching strategies.

6. Cultivate growth and mindset and abundant living

A coach will help you develop an abundant mindset, so you should try this when you are coaching yourself. Creating an abundant mindset involves shifting your focus from scarcity and limitations to the belief that there are ample resources and opportunities available for growth and success. By practicing generosity and open-mindedness, you attract more opportunities in the long run.

This positive mindset helps you to see possibilities and maintain an optimistic outlook even when things might not be looking so great–the glass half full approach to life. Cultivating an abundant mindset involves being grateful for what you have instead of focussing on what you are missing out on. 

If you had a coach, they would be there to help you celebrate your achievements and learn from setbacks. When self coaching, you won’t have that coach at your side, so it’s important to be your own partner helping you to stay abundant.

Use this helpful roadmap to more abundant living

How to self coach: 6 steps

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Those are the main six pillars of coaching you’d be getting from private coaching sessions. Work on these strategies and you’ll develop a true coaching mindset, helping you to succeed at self coaching.

Turn up the volume with these next-level self coaching strategies

Ok here are some of the most cutting edge strategies we have found for you. You can use these on your own when you need to level up your self coaching game.

  1. The “Two-Minute Rule”: Whenever you feel overwhelmed or procrastinate, try breaking down tasks into actions that can be completed in two minutes or less. This will help you build momentum and overcome inertia.
  2. The “If-Then” Technique: Develop contingency plans for potential obstacles by using “if-then” statements. For example, “If I feel too tired to exercise after work, then I will take a 15-minute power nap and exercise afterward.”
  3. The “Pomodoro Technique”: Use a timer to break your work into 25-minute focused sessions (called Pomodoros) followed by a 5-minute break. After four Pomodoros, take a longer break of 15-30 minutes. This helps maintain focus and prevent burnout.
  4. The “SWOT Analysis”: Assess your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) to gain a better understanding of your current situation and to identify areas for improvement.
  5. The “Three Good Things” Exercise: Each day, write down three positive experiences or things you’re grateful for. This practice helps you develop a more optimistic mindset and promotes well-being.
  6. The “Ten-Year Letter”: Write a letter to your future self, outlining your goals and aspirations for the next ten years. Revisit this letter periodically to assess your progress and recalibrate your goals.
  7. The “Stop-Start-Continue” Framework: Regularly evaluate your habits and behaviors, identifying what you should stop doing, start doing, and continue doing to align with your goals.
  8. The “Best Possible Self” Exercise: Imagine yourself in the future, having achieved your goals and living your ideal life. Describe this version of yourself in detail, focusing on the qualities and habits that helped you succeed. Use this vision to guide your actions and decisions.
  9. The “Five Whys” Technique: When faced with a challenge or setback, ask yourself “why” five times to uncover the root cause of the issue. This will help you identify solutions and prevent similar problems in the future.
  10. The “Decision Balance Sheet”: When faced with a difficult decision, create a pros and cons list for each option. Assign a weight to each pro and con based on its importance, and calculate the total scores for each option to help you make a more informed decision.
The Top 10 next-level self coaching strategies

Well done coach!

Ok that’s our guide on how to coach yourself. Congrats on making it this far–you are officially a self coach! Don’t forget to keep following our formula. Having a proper self coaching program, model and strategies is imperative or you will lose your way.

Even with these great resources, sometimes it makes sense to hire a coach, at least part time 😉


SEE ALSO: If you want to get more from your life, and are looking for concrete action steps to get you there, check out our Request a Coach page. It’s a “cut the fence-sitting and take action” way to tackle your issues and actually find success. You’ll be matched with the coaches most suited to you to get you from where you are to where you want to be. To get off the fence and start to take action, click or tap here.


Hiring a life coach is like having a personal GPS for your self-improvement journey, guiding you through the twists and turns of personal growth with expertise and a keen sense of direction. 

While self-coaching can be rewarding, a life coach adds that extra layer of accountability, something you will miss out on when going solo. A coach will help you spot those pesky blind spots, provide a healthy dose of constructive feedback, and whip out an arsenal of tools and techniques tailored just for you. 

So, if you’re an enthusiastic self-coach who needs a bit more help, a life coach could be the perfect co-pilot to ensure you stay on course and reach your destination with style and flair! If you’re ready, put in a request for a coach to help you push your self coaching over the edge.

Self coaching program downloadable PDF

Want to work on our self coaching program in more detail? Great idea. You can download a copy here.

Why engaging with a life coach works
 


If you want to get more from your life, and are looking for concrete action steps to get you there, check out our Request a Coach page. It’s a “cut the fence-sitting and take action” way to tackle your issues and actually find success. You’ll be matched with the coaches most suited to you to get you from where you are to where you want to be. To get off the fence and start to take action, click or tap here.



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Submitting your free consultation request is completely free with no obligation.

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