Coaching Corner: I promise me
By Marilou Butcher Roth, Master Coach
What in the world does that mean? Today I am visiting the concept of agreements, specifically about the ones we make with ourselves. It’s one thing to get into the groove of making and keeping agreements with others, and yet, how well are you doing with yourself?
How many times have you said to yourself “I will _________,” having every intention to carry out this agreement? I would venture to say that we each have done this countless times. And yet, how often do our personal agreements get shelved due to something presenting itself that we deem to be more important than our original plan for ourselves. This dilemma speaks to how we put ourselves on the proverbial back burner, not realizing that our own self care feeds how effective we are in the rest of our world.
What remedy can we find to shift into clearer and cleaner agreements with ourselves? First and foremost, make certain that whatever agreement you make with yourself, there is a strong basis as to why this action is important to you. You may want to plug in a time to accomplish this particular activity, or perhaps having it on just a chosen day or days.
Once you have this in place, you may find that “something” comes up which is a direct conflict with your personal time set aside. Now what? I want you to stop, take a breath, and check in to see if the new conflict must happen at that moment, or if you find you can handle it at another time. Be careful not to get into a victim position with the “look what’s happening to me” attitude. When you can evaluate and decide yourself, you will feel empowered, as opposed to feeling as if you have no choice. You get to choose.
Suppose the new item indeed needs to take precedence -- that’s okay. Do not just blow off the action that you had scheduled at that time. Change the agreement with yourself, just as you would if it were another person. When can you reschedule? Do this consciously to keep yourself in integrity.
If you merely ignore your agreements with yourself, it will, without question, impact how you feel about yourself. To keep yourself in that feel good place we all desire, make sure you keep your agreements as clean as possible. You will be glad you did!!
Marilou Butcher Roth
Marilou Butcher Roth is the owner of The MBR Group, a coaching and training company working primarily with REALTORS who have a desire to work and live from a more inspired place. She is also the Broker/Owner of Group REALTORS in Cincinnati.
Marilou is a member of the Ohio REALTORS Board of Directors and past chairman of the organization’s Communications Committee.
