My Favorite Self Coaching Exercise to Examine Hard Problems

One book that seriously changed my perspective on helping people and changing myself is Motivational Interviewing. It came as a recommendation from one of my favorite people, John Berardi. What is the practice of motivational interviewing? According to Wikipedia:

It is a directive, client-centered counseling style for eliciting behavior change by helping clients to explore and resolve ambivalence

The Exercise

The exercise is in the style of Motivational Interviewing. It’s great for evaluating any change you’re considering. I learned about it at the end of my year of Precision Nutrition Coaching. It is comprised of these four questions:

1. What is GOOD about NOT changing?
2. What might you give up or lose if you changed or pursued this new Goal?
3. What is bad about NOT changing?
4. What is GOOD about changing?

These questions aren’t necessarily intuitive, but under the right circumstances, asking them can lead to great insight. For example:

What is GOOD about choosing NOT to lead an average life?

What might I give up or lose if I choose to lead an average life?

What is bad about NOT choosing to leading an average life?

What is GOOD about choosing to lead an average life?

Conclusion

If I’m honest with myself, I should use this exercise more often. When I do, I understand my wants and needs more clearly, and I am more likely to act.