In today’s world, we have insurance policies for almost everything—health, life, home, income, and cars. These policies provide us with a sense of security and peace of mind, knowing that we are protected against unforeseen losses. Yet, there is one crucial area of our lives that we often overlook: self-insurance. This is where coaching comes in, offering a unique form of protection that ensures we make sound decisions, stay on the right path, and ultimately live a fulfilling life. Audio at the end of the page.

 The Concept of Self-Insurance

Self-insurance, in the context of coaching, is not about protecting ourselves from external losses but about safeguarding our internal well-being. It’s about preventing poor decisions, avoiding unnecessary conflicts, and maintaining a clear, forward-thinking mindset. Coaching acts as this form of insurance by providing a structured environment where we can reflect, gain insights, and make informed choices.

 Peace of Mind Through Coaching

One of the primary benefits of traditional insurance is the peace of mind it offers. Similarly, coaching provides reassurance about our future by helping us align our daily actions with our long-term goals. Through regular coaching sessions, we gain confidence that our current efforts will not lead to future regrets. We achieve a sense of peace, knowing that our behaviour today is contributing positively to the outcomes we desire in the future.

 Preventing Poor Decisions

Many of us have experienced the consequences of hasty decisions or actions taken without full consideration. Coaching serves as a preventive measure against such missteps. By having a coach to discuss our thoughts and plans with, we ensure that we are making well-considered decisions. This guidance helps us avoid the pitfalls of impulsive choices and keeps us on a path that aligns with our true aspirations.

Consider the following examples:

Example 1: Chasing Success Out of Envy

  Imagine sitting in your office and hearing about a friend who has done exceedingly well, far better than you have. You might feel envy or a sense of inadequacy, leading you to make decisions based on a desire to catch up. However, you may not have considered the cost of your friend’s success—the sacrifices they made, the risks they took, or the challenges they faced. Without a check-in with a coach, you might pursue similar success without understanding the true price. Coaching helps you assess whether the rewards are worth the costs and aligns your decisions with your values and long-term goals.

Example 2: Giving Unsolicited Advice

  We often feel compelled to modify someone else’s behaviour when we believe they are not doing what we think is right. This might lead us to give unsolicited advice, based on our perceptions of what is correct. In a coaching session, the question would be whether it’s wise to offer advice that wasn’t asked for. Furthermore, coaching encourages you to explore whether your judgment is truly accurate and whether you’ve considered all perspectives. This reflective process helps prevent misunderstandings and fosters better relationships.

Example 3: Taking Up New Activities Out of Boredom

  Sometimes, when work slows down or becomes less engaging, we might take up a new hobby or sport to fill the time. While this can be beneficial, it can also become a distraction from our primary responsibilities. Coaching sessions can help you evaluate whether this new activity is a healthy addition to your life or a distraction from your career goals. By providing a sounding board, coaching helps you balance your interests and maintain focus on your priorities.

 Staying on the Right Path

Life can be unpredictable, and it’s easy to find ourselves straying from our intended path. Coaching provides a consistent check-in point, a regular opportunity to recalibrate and refocus. This ongoing support ensures that we remain aligned with our values and goals, preventing us from drifting into unproductive or harmful directions.

 Achieving Long-Term Fulfilment

During workshops, I often ask participants to imagine themselves on their deathbed, looking back on their lives. I encourage them to consider what they would have loved to have achieved. This exercise helps clarify their true desires and priorities. By reverse-engineering their lives from this perspective, we can create a roadmap that guides their daily actions and decisions.

Coaching sessions play a crucial role in this process. They provide a space for reflection and strategic planning, ensuring that each step we take brings us closer to our ultimate goals. This alignment between daily actions and long-term aspirations is the essence of self-insurance.

 More Than Just Learning Skills

While coaching certainly involves learning new skills and tools, its value extends far beyond that. It’s about creating a foundation of support and guidance that protects us from making detrimental choices. It’s about ensuring that we are constantly moving towards our best selves, avoiding the traps and distractions that life throws our way.

 Conclusion

In the same way that health, life, and other forms of insurance protect us from external losses, coaching provides a safeguard for our internal well-being. It offers peace of mind, prevents poor decisions, and helps us stay on the right path. By investing in coaching, we are effectively investing in the best insurance policy we can have—one that ensures our daily actions lead to the fulfilment of our deepest aspirations.

Coaching is more than a developmental tool; it’s a proactive measure that ensures we live a life of purpose, clarity, and long-term satisfaction. So, while we continue to value and maintain our traditional insurance policies, let’s not overlook the profound benefits of self-insurance through coaching. It’s an investment in our future that pays dividends in every aspect of our lives.