Illuminating and Observing Habits and Processes
Last month, I wrote about trusting the process. Some processes are tried and true, some processes deserve lengthy testing, and all processes should be re-evaluated from time to time. The marathon training process has evolved over time for me. I have refined and developed a process that works for me, for now. This training process brought me across the finish line on June 4th, with my boys in hand – success and pure joy! And this training process is also under review as my running goals evolve and as I reconsider what I can put into my training that may shift the outcome and allow me to achieve new goals.
To challenge and change a process, first, you must observe what is in play, and the habits and routines that have developed. You must see the process you are adhering to and own your expectations of the outcome. To get a new and different outcome, there must be a different input. To see possibilities, first, change how you are looking at the problem to fully understand the ingredients going into the recipe.
What I love about being a coach and being coached, is the opportunity to see a limiting belief or stumbling block through a new lens, to see life through a new lens. So often, I don’t see the issue until I take a moment to have a conversation and get curious in order to try on a different perspective and view the situation through a new lens. Once I can see the problem, through coaching and curiosity, there’s an opportunity to then also see what is in my control to change in order to create a new output. I can begin to create experiments to challenge and change the equation and therefore the outcome.
This is what I have come to love about baking, too – once I’ve learned the ratios and what each ingredient does, I can change the recipes to create something new. What I put in determines the result that comes out. Before I can begin to change the inputs, I first need to become aware of the process, and the equation I’ve been using. I need to see the hamster wheel I’ve been staying on, and I need to choose to step off, step out of the pattern.
Some processes may only serve us for a while, and we must continue to evaluate and reevaluate the inputs and the outcomes, the processes that led to the results. There are points in time when processes that have served us in the past no longer serve us. Another aspect of coaching that I love is that coaching provides the time and space to reflect on what is no longer serving me and allows me to see patterns of behavior that I might want to challenge.
Our brains naturally work to build habits in order to use energy efficiently. We have the power to dictate the habits we stick to, the efficiencies we build, and we have the ability to scrap patterns, trade them in, upgrade them when they no longer serve their purpose, or begin holding us back. This month, I challenge us to do the work to illuminate and observe the processes you adhere to in order to identify those that may benefit from some updating.
Where do you feel stuck? What do you believe about yourself? What do you believe about your situation? What would you like to change or what would you like to be different? What is your desired destination or outcome? Would you rather shift your expectations or shift your approach? What might you try differently? How might you craft a new experiment to challenge an old belief or habit? What might support your explorations and discovery of limitations you’ve unknowingly set?
Quote I’m pondering:
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”
~ Albert Einstein ~
What I’m listening to:
New Insights from Sam Harris, Dr. Peter Attia, Ramit Sethi, and Elizabeth Gilbert (#599)
In this episode, Tim Ferris challenges his usual format and tries something new. I hope you enjoy this taste of different inputs and find the output enjoyable!
From Tim:
Welcome to another episode of The Tim Ferriss Show, where it is usually my job to deconstruct world-class performers to tease out the routines, habits, et cetera that you can apply to your own life.
This episode is something different. It’s an experimental format that I’m super excited about.
This is an episode that scratches an itch I’ve had for years. I am not always able to listen to every great podcast episode out there, even when they are by some of my closest friends. The answer to my predicament was to ask them to send me a top segment from their podcast that I could listen to and—more importantly—also share with you, my dear listeners.
My team edited them together, and here we are! This episode is a compilation of 15-to-30-minute clips from some of the best podcasters in the world and certainly some of my favorites.
At the beginning of each clip, you will hear an intro from the host and where to find their work and podcast. To close, I’ll also share one of my favorite clips from an episode of The Tim Ferriss Show.
You can view this episode as a buffet, and I strongly suggest that you check out the shows included. If you like my podcast, you will very likely enjoy the featured shows in this episode.
And before you go: Do you like this format? If so, please let me know on Twitter at @tferriss and also mention @TeamTimFerriss. Whether we continue this series or not depends on you.
What I’m reading:
By Julia Freeland
Julia Freeland is a colleague, fellow coach, mentor/friend, and inspiration. I am thrilled she has published this book and has been generous enough to have also shared her journey to publication with me.
From Amazon:
Do you want to cultivate stronger relationships? Rise from adversity? Innovate more quickly? Be more collaborative? Feel more peace in uncertainty? If so, this book was written for you.
Take Your Shoes Off First is a fast and entertaining listen that illustrates how easy it is to limit what is possible in your life – without knowing you are doing it. You will be pulled into a thought-provoking story about an executive who finds a better path forward through a challenging situation by embracing one simple idea. As he learns to see himself and the world more clearly, you will be inspired to do the same.
After listening to this book, you will understand:
- how powerful, stealthy, and costly beliefs can be
- how easy it is to be fooled into thinking that a situation is black and white when really it is filled with a rainbow of possibilities
- what you can do to change everything in your life for the better
As the world faces unprecedented challenges and becomes increasingly more connected, there has never been a more important time to see possibilities more clearly and learn to bridge divides created by radically different experiences.
Taking Your Shoes Off First helps with just that. This book will provide you with a set of principles that can accelerate breakthroughs and transform all interactions for the better. Be entertained while learning how to quickly improve your life and relationships! An hour today will lead to a lifetime of better outcomes, both personally and professionally.
You can sign up to receive my Three Thoughts for Thursday post as an email on the third Thursday of every month by clicking here.
Please check out my latest blog post, The Problem of Intentions, Also check out my post, Be Careful, Recipes and Inspiration Yield Different Results! and my May edition of Three Thoughts for Thursday, as well. In light of my theme connected to running, you may also be interested in my series, Lessons of the Run – Endurance, Resilience, Rest, and Grit. Stay tuned for an upcoming expanded post on Examining the Process – Behind the Drive.
Beginning last year, in April 2021, I have had the privilege of Co-Hosting with Kathy Hadizadeh, the Emotional Intelligence Special Interest Group for ICFLA. Please join us for June’s session on Tuesday, the 28th of the month as we welcome special guest and renowned coach, Tom Henschel who will guide us through increasing our emotional fluency.
For more information on the next “EQ and WooWoo” workshop (Thursday, June 23rd) with my colleague and Spiritual Coach, Katie Kay, please email me or RSVP. This workshop series is designed to help you manifest action towards the year you want to live, the person you want to be, and the goals you want to achieve. We will be hosting quarterly sessions that intertwine the use of Tarot (and other Woowoo tools) and Emotional Intelligence to help you and your clients step outside the box in order to take your coaching and personal work deeper. June will focus on Social Awareness, tending to the seeds you’ve planted, and caring for the things you are growing.
If you are interested in joining and co-creating these learning communities, please use the links above to find out more about ICFLA’s Emotional Intelligence Special Interest Group and the EQ & WooWoo Workshops. I hope you will come along for the journey!
I’m always looking for new inspiration, new books to read, and new podcasts to listen to, so please send your suggestions my way or comment on this post to offer some new recommendations!
As always, thank you for your continued support and readership! Stay strong, stay brave, stay true to you!
Wishing you a season of clarity, enlightenment, and bravery!
Desiree Briel Rodi Consulting & Coaching 
[…] Also check out my post, Be Careful, Recipes and Inspiration Yield Different Results! and my June edition of Three Thoughts for Thursday, as well. In light of my continued theme on process, you […]
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