Elevate Your Life: LifeCoach Yourself
Not serious!
The modern life coaching movement was not started by therapist or a yoga teacher…. but by a financial planner.
He realised that it was impossible for his clients to make a financial plan, as they hadn't made even basic life decisions, like how many children they wanted, so he began coaching clients on life before finances.
While I work as a health coach, I do incorporate some elements of life coaching. The most important tenant is to start coaching with a ‘clean sweep ‘. I have created my own clean sweep, which clients get incredible benefit from, although it’s tough to start! Some clients will work on a clean sweep for six months and literally turn their lives around. It’s like finally cleaning out that clutter cupboard under the stairs x 1000.
It’s a great idea to do a little clean sweep before starting a new exercise program or nutrition program. Most of us carry so much white noise stress; if we can eliminate some of this, it’s much easier to take good care of ourselves.
In yogic terms, a full moon would be the best time to start your sweeping process. Spring and autumn are the ideal seasons. But the most important timing is starting!
CLEAN SWEEPING
WHAT YOU ARE TOLERATING LIST
Write a list of everything you are tolerating. Small or big, changeable or not. eg My varicose veins. Air pollution. Dog hair on my sofa.
Keep writing this list. (If you feel overwhelmed, stop writing and do this another day!)
Pick a small item that you can fix- eg painting the kitchen door. When done, cross this off your list.
Keep writing the list.
Keep addressing small items.
You may come back to this list in a couple of years time and be shocked to find that some of those big items you thought you couldn’t change, have changed .
CLEAN SWEEP YOUR HABITAT
In Ayurveda, in the evening you should prepare your environment for meditating the following morning. Your house, flat or room should be clean, neat… and beautiful. It’s not about spending lots of money, but about really caring for your surroundings.
If you are messy, the key to being neat is- when you drop something, don’t think, “I’ll pick that up later.” Do it immediately.
Have a place for everything.
Keep your house clean (using natural cleaning materials). Dust is carcinogenic.
Address indoor air quality.
CLEAN SWEEP YOUR KITCHEN
Clean your fridge throughly. Everything inside should be covered. (You can get leaky gut from a dirty fridge!)
Clean your freezer. Label freezer items..
Clean your oven. (Sorry!)
Clean your cupboards and chuck out anything that’s not good for you.
Pre-prep food so that you always have something ready to eat.
Delete any takeaway apps.
Make time for cooking.
Get rid of your microwave and any nasty cleaning chemicals
CLEAN SWEEP YOUR WARDROBE
Ideally, we would all dress as if there was a chance we might see our ex-boyfiends/ girlfriends! We generally feel better if we make significant effort with our appearance.
Make sure you have clothes for moving/ relaxing at home. Clothes can be challenging as many items prevent us moving, thus why we need special exercise clothes. But these clothes are often made from artificial fibres and contain plastic. (Clothes are likely the biggest source of plastic in your house.). Women’s movement wear is usually very tight. Think about what’s right for you. I have some clients that run in dresses!
If things don’t fit, store them.
FINANCES
Check what’s in your bank account/s./ savings accounts/ retirement accounts/ shares etc. Any debts/ mortgages. Write down your monthly assets and liabilities. Money incoming and outgoing. Create a budget. Have a plan.
Even if you only do one item out out of the above (like cleaning your kitchen) this can give you the most tremendous head start and create space for health and vitality to come into your life.