Power Tool Assessment

Name: Jamie McConochie Date: July 21st, 2012 Student ID: 265130 Email: jmccono@gmail.com

Complete your Power Tool in the space below and then email as an attachment to assessment@icoachacademy.com

Strength: Inner vs Outer

A power tool developed to be used on its own or in conjunction with the Tree of Strength coaching model.

STRENGTH: INNER VS OUTER

For any client of coaching the process of transformation is a journey of self discovery. With the collaboration of the coach the client is able to discover powerful resources to help them on their journey of transformation. One such resource is having the strength to face the challenges of life. Where that strength comes from can be broadly split into two categories: strength from external sources; or strength from internal sources. Inner strength vs outer strength is a dynamic quality with both sides interacting with each other and influencing the growth of the client. Outer strength can be said to consist of all the external factors that can provide help and support. This may include support from friends and family; it would also include the fact of having a coach; and within a more specific coaching context it could be the support structures identified with the coachs help that are put in place to help the client reach their goals. This outer strength is useful and indeed often essential to create the momentum for change. However, the world of external events is, by its very nature, impermanent and changeable. Consequently sources of outer strength need to be continuously evaluated and modified to meet the changing circumstances of the client. Friends and family cannot be relied upon 100% of the time, and it would be unreasonable to expect that. Similarly the coach is not going to be there forever, as any decent coach should be trying to get the client to a point where the coach is no longer needed. Likewise the support structures we have around us often need to be re-evaluated or even replaced with others. On the other hand inner strength is something which, if cultivated, can become a reliable resource, permanently available when needed. Everyone has a source of inner strength, but the form it takes is a very individual thing and will vary from person to person. For some, it is their Intuition speaking to them. For others it may be the voice of the Universe guiding them. Some may hear it as the voice of Nature whispering to them through the wind in the trees. For the more religiously inclined it may be the voice of their God talking to them intimately with immeasurable love and understanding. While the process of discovering and establishing the sources of outer strength may involve the use of several tools employed by the coach and client, inner strength can be cultivated in 5 steps, with each step being individually tailored to the client. These steps do not necessarily need to be followed in a consecutive order. Some may well occur simultaneously.
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Go Within The exercise of going within has been practiced throughout all ages and cultures as a means for understanding our inner nature and connecting with the higher self. For some this may take the form of prayer or mediation. But equally it could be any activity that involves quietening the mind and going into a calm, reflective state. A walk through nature may have such an effect, and indeed some forms of Buddhist meditation involve walking very slowly and mindfully. More recently, research by psychologists on intuition has noted the importance of regularly spending some quiet, reflective moments in order to develop intuitive skills (Katz, 2003; Thibodeau, 2005). With a little practice, using whatever method most appeals to us, we can develop a strong sense of who we are and where we are going in life. Blogger and coach Leah Shapiro describes on her website how, the more we are able to create a quiet space to listen to our inner voice, the clearer we are able to see our path. To find out how you or your client could go within you might consider the question: What enjoyable activity could you do to spend some quiet, reflective moments of the day with yourself?

Enjoy the moment and re-connect with who you are. In writing for Oprah Winfreys blog Deepak Chopra describes beautifully how we can often be faced with a difficult situation and feel obliged to make a yes/no decision, to go or stay, to accept or avoid, when either choice looks bad. But as he points out the real hope in these decisions is to reconnect with the real person hiding inside of us. If we choose to walk away the indecision and lack of direction will simply follow us. If we stay and stick it out things may get worse. So the real solution is to rediscover our true needs, and engage in the things we love most and give us strength and joy, without having to run away from our challenges. Your best path is one that leads to character, strength, independent will and selfknowledge. Deepak Chopra. Some questions you might ask are: Can you remember the last time you were having so much fun that you were truly living in the moment, completely unaware of your problems and responsibilities?
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What were you doing in this moment? If you are having trouble in remembering something, think back to when you were a teenager or a child. What sort of things did you used to love doing? What games did you love playing? What can you do today in your life to re-connect with the fun part of yourself, and experience again that child-like joy of enjoying the present moment?

Emulate an image of inspiration and strength. Motivational speaker and life coach Anthony Robbins frequently points out that the most successful figures in society have usually had an inspiring role model that they have tried to emulate (Robbins, 1997). By studying the behavior of inspirational figures, and then incorporating those qualities into our own life we can rapidly bring about change in ourselves and cultivate inner strength. Furthermore, we can use that image to sustain our inspiration over time, even through periods of difficulty and challenge. Such a role model will most likely be in the form of a person, perhaps a well-known figure or someone special from your personal life. However it neednt be a person; an image from nature can also have the same effect, such as a mountain, or the sea. To discover what image you or your client could emulate that inspires and gives strength consider the following questions: What qualities would you like to have more of as a part of yourself? What strengths would you like to develop more? What person/character/image can you think of that embodies all the qualities you would like to have? Imagine yourself as this ideal, completely embodying and manifesting those qualities. How does that make you feel in this moment? What can you do in your life to mold yourself to that image?

Activate your inner strength in any given moment. As humans we are susceptible to the ups and downs of life, and we may not always find ourselves in a state of heightened inspiration and strength. But if you have been able to identify your source of inner strength through some of the steps previously discussed, then it can be relatively easy to activate that strength at any
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moment when the need arises. Like a switch your inner strength can be turned on in down moments to give you a boost and bring you back up to peak performance. Drawing on concepts from neurolinguistic programming and psychology Anthony Robbins notes that it is possible to snap out of a depressed or low inspiration state (Robbins, 1997). He points out that the triad of physiology, mental focus, and language, can influence our state. When we recognize that we are not in the state we want to be we can consciously change these three things to produce a more inspired and energetic state. Physiologically, some movement and simple changes of posture can help to energise us. This, combined with focusing the mind on something inspiring, and using positive, empowering language to vocalize what we want, can all together act as a switch to activate our inner strength. The way in which we employ these three things will vary from person to person, and may involve visualization, affirmations, chanting, or even prayer. To explore how to use this triad to activate the inner strength, consider the following questions: When you have been depressed or angry what was your physical posture and breathing like? What were you mentally focusing on? What sort of language were you using verbally? Now compare that to a time when you felt elated and inspired. How did your physiology differ? What were you mentally focused on? What sort of language were you using verbally? In light of the answers to the above questions, what could you do with your physiology, mental focus, and verbal language the next time you are in a negative mood, that would lift you to a more inspirational state? Is there anything extra you could add that would also help you to switch on your inner strength?

A Personal Shrine: Creating a battery where you can recharge. When your mobile phones battery runs low you just plug it in to recharge. This is the principle behind the concept of having a shrine in your home. It doesnt need to be something religious or even spiritual. The idea is simply to have a physical location that is special and treated with reverence, where you can go to recharge your own battery. It doesnt need to be big and fancy; it could be so subtle that even the people you live with may not be aware of its existence. It would be a small area of your home which serves as your outward focus of inner strength. It is a place where the small objects that are sacred and meaningful to us can be gathered together and treated with respect. A shrine can be placed anywhere, on
Copyright 2006 International Coach Academy Pty. Ltd. Use is governed by the Terms and Conditions at http://www.icoachacademy.com Last updated Feb 2006

top of a dresser, a windowsill or small table. Simply create an empty space and slowly, carefully, place upon it the items which are special to you. Maybe a crystal, a cloth of inspiring color, flowers, a white candle, or whatever feels appropriate. When you light your candle and gaze upon your shrine, it will help you to remember who you are and why we are here. As you nurture it over time it will quickly acquire an energy of its own which can act as a power source for you to plug into and help you to re-connect with your own inner power. As described in the book Invoking your Celestial Gaurdians by Solara, a personal shrine reminds us that there is far more to life than the everyday striving for survival and success (Solara, 1990). Here are some ideas to help in setting up a personal shrine: What small objects inspire you and give you a feeling of peace and calm you when you look at them? Where in your home or work could you create a sacred space? What could you do to treat that space with reverence and make it special?

Conclusion Whilst each of these 5 steps is in its own right a useful exercise, when they are taken together they make up a highly effective tool for discovering, cultivating, and sustaining a connection with your inner strength. Having a readily available access to your inner strength compliments the external sources of outer strength which are useful in creating momentum.

References Chopra, D. http://www.oprah.com/spirit/How-to-Reconnect-with-Yourself-andDiscover-Your-True-Needs-Ask-Deepak Katz, W. H. 2003. Opening the Inner Eye: Explorations on the Practical Applications of Intuition in Daily Life and Work. iUniverse. Leah, S, http:// www.defythebox.com Robbins, A. (1997) Unlimited Power. Free Press. Solara. (1990) Invoking Your Celestial Gaurdians. Star Borne Unlimited 10th ed. Thibodeau L., 2005. Natural-Born Intuition: How to Awaken and Develop Your Inner Wisdom. New Page Books

Copyright 2006 International Coach Academy Pty. Ltd. Use is governed by the Terms and Conditions at http://www.icoachacademy.com Last updated Feb 2006