In my last post entitled: Explaining the GROW model, I explained that GROW is an acronym for:

G = Goal R = Reality O = Options W = Will or Way forward.

In this article you have the opportunity to "coach" yourself.

This is a unique opportunity for you to identify and establish an issue, a topic or a goal that you wish to work towards achieving. So, if you are ready to have a go and you want to be inspired by your own ability to find a goal, you are about to identify your goal and make it happen for you!

Remember, before you start:

1. Write from your heart - do not spend too much time thinking about what you are going to write.

2. Remember, your answers will never be judged.

3. Your answers are totally confidential - so be totally honest with yourself

Consider each question individually. You may find that some questions have more meaning and depth for you at this particular moment in your life than others. That's entirely normal. Feel free to answer the relevant questions and leave gaps for the ones that are not relevant. You may even find that your answers trigger some additional questions. That's fine too, simply jot down the additional questions.

You might find some questions go over your head and some really resonate; they kind of sink within you somewhere. Only answer the questions that seem important and let the other ones go. The aim and purpose of going through this process is to identify an issue, a topic or a goal that you wish to work through using the GROW model.

Once you have gone through the model yourself, you can then apply it any time, any place and anywhere. Enjoy the process, keep an open mind, be receptive to whatever crops up - write it down even if it appears to make no sense at all to you in the beginning. This is not a time for judging or criticising yourself.

The questioning process starts by establishing a goal in order to give you something to aim for. Further questions help you to clarify where you are now and remind you what you have done about the issue, the topic or the goals so far.

Questions are then used to help you come up with different options that you could do to move yourself forward in terms of your issue or topic. Then you will select a particular option to work on.

Your answers will then be used to create a plan of action for that all important first step.

The GROW Model avoids many of the problems of other processes. For example, have you ever heard someone say, "This is our objective and this is what you will do about it"? It appears sensible at face value but firstly it involves only the goal or the objective and it doesn't belong to you. It also ignores reality and options. Secondly, it employs a command or control style of management - the 'do as I say' approach.

Maybe you have heard, 'We have a problem here, what do you think we might do about it?' This gives us reality and options but no goal and no will. GROW covers all aspects. As you follow the questions and practice using the GROW model for yourself, you will see it covers all the stages of a successful coaching process.

Have a go, enjoy the process and be open-minded as to what happens. It may be that you want to take your time over answering each relevant question. Do take that time. This is not a test of seeing how quickly you can rush to the end. Sometimes we procrastinate and think other things are more relevant than spending time on ourselves. This is not true. About an hour of your time spent working through the following questions will be of a great benefit in the weeks, months and years to come.

Firstly, you need to establish the issue, topic or goal that you wish to be coached upon. This may take something between 5-10 minutes. That's just an estimate. It's up to you how much or how little time you want to spend on it.

This may be in the area of career, relationships, finances, self-esteem, desires, achievements or any other area that is important to you at this time.

Here is an example to get you thinking on the right wavelength:

"I feel as if my job is taking over my life but it pays well and i need the money!" Another might be, " I seem to be doing everything around here, what about some me time!" You get the idea..........

When you have written your answer, consider the following:

• How real is it?

• How important is it to you right now?

• Have you written your topic or issue down in several sentences?

• Or is it just a few words?

Your next step is to write your topic or issue in one sentence that you can easily keep in your mind.

Have another look at your topic or issue.

Have you written it in positive or negative terms?

If you have phrased your goal in the negative, take a few moments to re-phrase it in positive terms. (What you do want rather than what you don't want)

Is your topic or issue specific enough to become a goal? Do you need to add something else to make it specific?

It is OK not to be sure at this point because you will gain more clarity as you work through the next session too. Take a moment to review the topic or review your issue in terms of specifics. Is it specific enough?

G is for GOAL

1. Think about your topic/issue and take yourself forward to a point in time when the issue is as you want it to be. What do you notice that shows you have achieved the goal? Or, if it is a problem you want to solve, how do you know this has happened?

2. What are you doing that shows you have achieved the goal? Make a quick note.

3. What are you hearing that tells you that you have achieved your goal, or solved the issue?

4. When do you want to be in this position you can see in the future? What time scale do you have in mind? Is it next week? Next month? Next year? It must be realistic. If you have a big career goal and a longer time-scale, you might want to focus on a part of the goal in a shorter time-scale.

5. How challenging or exciting is achieving this goal? If it is too challenging, break it down into an element you can achieve within the time-scale you have set. If it is not challenging enough, you will either achieve it without trying or you will lose interest. Do you need to add anything to it to make it more challenging?

6. How will you know that you have achieved your goal? Is there a measurement you can use?

Congratulations! You have now completed the GOAL section of your personal GROW model. In my next article, you are invited to explore the realities of your current situation. The 'R', the'O' and the 'W' of the GROW model.

Prepare for change!