I am a big fan of Martin Berkhans work and writing, and have just read his latest post over there about how those who work as coaches fit into a pattern he sees regularly.
What is this pattern?
Not doing to yourself as you would do to others.
I'll let you go over to his site and read the full post, as I am not going to reprint it here, but I have another piece of information that may fit into this puzzle.
Go and read the post and then come back.
All done?
The bit that got me was him talking about not sticking to what we tell others to do. As I was reading it I noticed that there is another pattern possibly going on; a metaprogramme running in the background called Options/Procedures.
Options/Procedures is a deep unconscious programme that comes as a part of the NLP metaprogrammes work from back in the early days of NLP
Here's some info about this pattern:
Options - Procedures
Does the person look for alternatives or like to keep their options open or prefer to follow established procedures?
Options: This group is motivated by the possibility to do something in another way. They are the type of people who will develop procedures and then not follow them. They enjoy breaking or bending the rules. Exploring new ideas and possibilities is of great interest. They may start a new project and not feel compelled to finish it. To motivate/influence these people, use words such as: opportunity, alternatives, break the rules, flexibility, variety, unlimited possibilities, expand your choices, options, … . Use of words such as the foregoing, will help you to identify this type of person. These people do well in a situation that requires solutions or alternatives to current systems - e.g. fashion designer, process reengineering.
Procedures: These people like to follow set rules/processes. Once they understand a procedure they will repeat it over and over again. They have great difficulty developing new processes/procedures and without a clearly defined procedure feel lost or stuck. They are more concerned about how to do something than why they should do it. Bending or breaking rules is heresy! They are motivated by words such as: correct way, tried and true, first ... then ... lastly, proven path, follow this procedure to the letter, … . Positions suited to these people would be bookkeeper or commercial airline pilot.
Distribution (in a work context): Options (40%), Options and Procedures (20%), Procedures (40%)
Please remember that there are always multiple patterns working, and that each pattern is context dependant, even though some patterns may also be cross contextual. Here's a good way that metaprogrammes can be used in an informal setting.
Back to the Leangains story...
So what does this have to do with Martins story?
It's simple, I suspect that many of the people Martin is talking about are highly options oriented in the exercise and diet context. This will lead them naturally toward trying new programmes, regimes and systems out, getting bored and moving onto the next one that they have uncovered.
I bet what also happens once you turn yourself into your own client is that you become more procedures oriented. Why would this happen though?
Because once you become a client (even of yourself) you defer your authority to the 'coach' and this leads you to drop the need for options. It's an elegant solution to a problem that many trainers and coaches have.
Happy training,
GeorgeUnlocking Your True Potential (from Leangains.com)»
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