Useful Coaching Methodologies Based on Neurological Findings and Facts: Attention-Practice

       One of the characteristics of our brains is that the connections of neurons become more and more hard-wired as we pay attention to a certain phenomenon. I often make full use of this characteristic of our brains in a form of “questions” during a coaching session. One of the principles of quantum physics for our brain function is in the following: “The questions you ask influence the results you see” (Rock & Page, 2009, p. 179). In an actual coaching session, I ask my clients about various types of questions related to their coaching topics. As a result, they come to notice new emotional or behavioral patterns which they have never found before. With regard to paying attention to a new thing, Rock and Page (2009) explain that “by choosing what to shine the spotlight of attention on, we can effect changes in the very structure of our brain” (p. 180).

       However, how can we consciously shed light on a new thing? I often recommend that my clients keep a “coaching journal.” The purpose of keeping a coaching journal is to encourage clients to pay attention to questions which I have asked and to find some behavioral or emotional patterns in their daily lives. Needless to say, just my asking various questions is helpful for clients to notice their habitual patterns. However, for clients, writing is a more powerful way to pay attention to their unconscious habits than just asking questions. In addition, the more they can conceptualize their habitual patterns in their language by writing a journal, the more they can strengthen neural networks to notice these patterns. As a result, they gradually become able to cope with the old patterns.

       About the power of keeping a journal, one client gave me feedback: “I didn’t notice my emotional reaction to others like that until I started to keep a journal. By paying attention to questions in interacting with others, which you asked, I become more and more aware of my reaction patterns. Also, I come to find more and more new things by continuing to keep a journal.” As this client told me, keeping a coaching journal encourages clients to pay attention to their behavioral or emotional patterns and leads to their coping with their unique patterns once they can notice them. In conclusion, keeping a coaching journal as an attention-practice is very beneficial for clients so as to enhance their self-awareness.

Reference

Coaching with the Brain in Mind: Foundations for Practice