Inside Coaching is where we dig into coaching conversations, starting with questions from real women living savvy—my coaching clients, friends and readers. Don’t forget to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments, and send in your questions here.
This is the next installment of my coaching series with Gaynor Alder, the woman behind The Modern Woman’s Survival Guide.
In our previous coaching conversations we asked and answered the questions how do I take the very difficult first step towards change? and how do I make life changes that last?
Today our focus is: How do you radically overhaul a lifestyle habit, when it’s no longer working for you?
Notice the problem
Gaynor recently asked her blog readers: How much wine do you drink a week? She confessed:
My post work drink (well, haven’t I been a good girl, I think I’ll pour myself a glass of vino) has slowly yet surely become a bottle a night, and on the weekends, I can drink 2 bottles and remain coherent and even leave my shoes on in public. Yes, I am referred to by some as one who can “put it away”. Oh dear.
You can read the full post here.
This wasn’t the first time Gaynor had flagged her drinking habits as an area in her life she wanted to fine-tune, in a Monday Bites post she wrote:
I am cutting down my drinking to 3 glasses of wine on a week night. Some may wonder if what I was drinking before was destination AA, but no, like many other women, I had got into a habit of drinking to wind down after a day’s work and cope with life’s stresses. However, since I have realised that I no longer need to do this, I have committed to reducing my intake in small steps, whilst still allowing myself to enjoy a crisp cool glass (or two, or three Miss Jane, Miss Jane) on the weekends.
Own the problem, it is yours.
If you don’t own the problem then you are in no position to change the situation.
Like many lifestyle issues, one problem can be discovered while we are having a good hard look at another area. Although Gaynor had some suspicions that she was drinking more than was in the best interests of her health, the real a-ha moment came when she was reviewing another important area of her life, her finances. Looking through her budget she saw in black and white how much she was spending on alcohol.
How big is the problem, really?
If you don’t own the size of the problem then you are in no position to change the situation.
How do we really understand the size of the problem we are facing?
Coaching Tips
- Journaling and lists: On the fridge, stick a piece of paper and then mark each drink you have one stroke per drink (this also works well with chocolate or lollies).
- Visual reminder: If you are like me, you make a promising start with your journal or list and then stop. As an alternative, line up each empty bottle (this also works well with chocolate wrappers if that is your thing) for a month.
- Think before you consume: Note the feeling, the desire, the intended outcome before you pour or the first sip passes your lips.
- Recruit spotters: Choose friends who you know will be honest and kind to hold up a mirror and help you see what is really going on.
How do you radically overhaul a lifestyle habit?
One sustainable step at a time.
Gaynor committed to:
An ‘AFD’ – an alcohol free day a week with the goal to increasing this until I am drinking in a more balanced way.
At Living Savvy we make connections and discover new ideas and perspectives by sharing stories, reading or watching and listening to inspirational and challenging programs. There is rich information to be discovered in the comments on Gaynor’s post Confession Time: How much do you drink a week.
What’s next?
Have a coaching question? Ask in the comments or via our living savvy contact form.
Stay tuned for the next installment of Inside Coaching with Gaynor—sign up for updates so you don’t miss a post.
Related posts:
- Inside Coaching: How do I make life changes that last?
- Inside Coaching: What happens when you have the courage to act on your dreams?
- Inside Coaching: How do I take the very difficult first step towards change?
- Inside Coaching: Look how far I’ve come
- Inside Coaching: What if I’m stuck in a job I hate?
