If a client is procrastinating, what can a coach do to support them moving forward? A coach creates awareness in their client around their reasons for procrastinating, motivations to be proactive, and effective ideas to change from procrastinating to moving forward.
Coaching is based on a proven process using proven competencies. Specifically, during coaching certification, coaches learn to support clients so they move forward by:
- understanding who the client is and how they process information,
- dancing in the moment with their thinking and exploration,
- listening deeply,
- asking questions,
- help develop strategies and action steps,
- be an accountability partner, and
- celebrate progress and success.
What questions do coaches ask?
- What are your motivations for procrastinating?
- What do you like about delaying action?
- What do you dislike about delaying action?
- What are the benefits of taking action?
- What motivates you to take action?
- How will you find your source of motivation in the moment?
- What quick win do you want to motivate a next step?
- What reminders help you take action?
- How do you want me to serve as your accountability partner?
- How do you want to acknowledge progress and success?
Bottom line: apply what you learn in coach training. Use positive language, believe in your client and their ability to make it work, ask open-ended questions, focus forward, check in on their committed action steps, and take time to affirm their progress and success.
