How Coaching Helps You Decide What You Want To Do And Take Action

You’ve probably felt it before—that uneasy feeling of not knowing exactly what you want to do next. Maybe you’re facing a major career decision, trying to choose a direction in your personal life, or feeling overwhelmed by countless options. In a world brimming with opportunities and distractions, deciding what you truly want can feel like wading through a thick fog. That’s where coaching steps in. Think of a coach as a dedicated guide who shines a light on the path ahead, helping you cut through the noise, find clarity, and ultimately take action.

Coaching isn’t about analyzing your past mistakes or just listening to you vent; it’s about pushing you forward and empowering you to make tangible changes. In the sections that follow, you’ll discover exactly how coaching helps you figure out what you want to do, and then helps you actually go out and do it.

Understanding the Need for Direction

The Overabundance of Options

Today’s world offers you countless possibilities, from career paths to lifestyle choices. This wealth of options, ironically, often makes it harder to pick one. Think of it like standing in front of an endless buffet—there’s so much on offer that you’re not sure where to start. Coaching helps you sort through these choices, ensuring you pick what’s truly nourishing for your goals, rather than just grabbing whatever looks good in the moment.

The Challenge of Distractions and Interruptions

Your phone buzzes every few minutes, notifications pop up, and urgent emails demand immediate responses. It’s like living in a world of constant noise where focusing on your own ambitions feels almost impossible. A coach sets aside focused time with you, free from external interruptions, so you can think clearly and genuinely pinpoint what you want.

Why Many People Feel Stuck

It’s easy to feel stuck when you never take a step back to consider what’s important. You might be running on autopilot, fulfilling obligations, or responding to crises without a second thought. Coaching breaks that cycle. By asking pointed questions and challenging you to reflect, a coach helps you break free from “stuck mode” and enter a space where possibilities feel real again.

The Core Purpose of Coaching

Clarifying Your Goals

Think of coaching as a flashlight that illuminates a dark room. Without it, you’re stumbling around, bumping into furniture. With it, you suddenly see what’s in front of you. Similarly, a coach helps you clarify your goals so you can recognize the furniture—your responsibilities, talents, and dreams—and arrange them in a way that makes sense.

Guiding You Toward Action Rather Than Reflection Alone

While understanding your past can offer insights, coaching is about stepping out of your comfort zone and making moves. Instead of spending endless hours analyzing why you feel uncertain, you’ll spend your time strategizing on how to move toward the life you want. The focus is forward-looking, always asking: “What’s next, and how are you going to get there?”

Common Obstacles to Deciding What You Want To Do

Lack of Focus in a Fast-Paced World

You’re not alone in feeling scattered. The modern environment encourages constant multitasking. Coaching cuts through this chaos by dedicating a calm, structured setting for you to focus solely on your priorities.

Living by Urgent Priorities Instead of Important Ones

When you’re constantly putting out small fires, it’s hard to focus on what truly matters. Coaching helps you recognize the difference between what’s urgent (like a last-minute request) and what’s genuinely important (like working on your long-term career strategy). This distinction can be game-changing.

Conflicting Expectations from Different People in Your Life

Your boss wants you to deliver more, your friends want more of your time, and your family hopes you’ll choose a certain path. It can feel like everyone has a say in what you should do. Coaching gives you the tools to sort through these voices, find your own, and set boundaries that reflect your real priorities.

How Coaching Addresses These Obstacles

Carving Out Focused Thinking Time

Think of coaching sessions like “thought sanctuaries.” During these appointments, you’re free from distraction. You’ll have the space to actually think—really think—about your life and what you want to accomplish.

Helping You Set Realistic Priorities

Coaching is like having a personal organizer for your goals. Your coach will help you take the jumble of ideas in your head and arrange them into a neat list, making it easier for you to see what should come first.

Reducing Overcommitment

Saying “yes” to everything leads to burnout. Your coach can help you learn when to say “no,” freeing up time and energy for the projects that genuinely matter. It’s like decluttering your schedule so you have room to breathe.

Creating Space for Reflection and Self-Assessment

Most of us rarely pause to ask, “Why am I doing this?” A coach encourages that pause. You get to step off the treadmill of your busy life and look around, noting what’s working and what’s not. This type of reflection leads to meaningful change.

Instilling a Process and Structure

It’s one thing to have a dream and another to know how to achieve it. Coaching provides a framework, turning a fuzzy aspiration into a concrete plan. It’s like turning a big, bold ambition into a step-by-step recipe you can actually follow.

The Step-by-Step Approach of a Coach

Figure Out What You Want (Decision Stage)

Your coach will ask questions that cut straight to your core desires. Whether it’s about your career, personal life, or a bold new project, this stage is all about answering the big question: “What do I really want?”

Create a Plan to Achieve It (Planning Stage)

Once you know what you want, you need a roadmap. Your coach helps you outline steps, timelines, resources, and strategies. It’s like plotting a trip on a map—you need to know both the destination and the best route to get there.

Support and Accountability in Following Through (Action Stage)

Planning is great, but action is what counts. Your coach keeps you accountable, nudging you forward when you hesitate and cheering you on as you hit each milestone.

Brainstorming Models to Identify What You Want

Exploring Multiple Areas of Life (Work, Personal Growth, Relationships, Health)

When deciding what you want, it’s not just about a job title or a skill. It’s about the big picture of your life. By considering work, personal growth, relationships, and wellness, you’ll gain a holistic understanding of where to focus.

Needs vs. Wants Model

Sometimes what you think you “need” is actually just a “want” in disguise—and vice versa. Sorting your aspirations into needs and wants helps you see which areas are non-negotiable and which are nice-to-haves.

Obligations and Commitments Model

Look at your current obligations. Are they aligned with your long-term goals? Or are they anchors holding you back? Coaching encourages you to face these commitments head-on and decide if they still deserve your time.

Aspirations and Dreams Model

Remember those dreams you set aside long ago? Bring them back into the conversation. Whether it’s starting a new business or learning a skill, acknowledging your dreams can reignite your motivation.

Opportunities Model

It’s easy to miss amazing opportunities when you’re buried in your daily grind. Your coach helps you scan the horizon, identifying paths you never knew existed and considering how they could fit into your future plans.

Problems and Pain Points Model

Sometimes, you know what you want by identifying what you no longer want. By looking at the problems and frustrations you deal with daily, you can pinpoint areas in your life that could benefit from a major shift.

Emotional Indicators Model

Emotions are like an internal compass. If something consistently leaves you feeling drained or stressed, it might be a sign that it’s time for change. On the other hand, activities that excite and energize you are clues pointing toward what you value.

Current vs. Desired State Model

Imagine your life as two snapshots: one depicting your current situation and another showing your ideal future. Comparing the two helps highlight the gaps. From there, you can figure out how to bridge them.

Turning Ideas into Priorities

Sorting Through Your Brainstormed Options

After brainstorming, you’ll have a long list of possibilities. Coaching helps you sort through them, tossing out what doesn’t align with your values and elevating what truly resonates.

Establishing Criteria for What Matters Most

By creating a set of criteria—think impact, fulfillment, feasibility—you can make objective decisions about which goals deserve your immediate attention.

Making a Commitment to a Chosen Path

The Power of Saying “No” to the Non-Essentials

Your time and energy are finite. Saying “no” to distractions or tasks that don’t serve you is like clearing debris from a path, making it easier to stride confidently forward.

Embracing Your Decision and Moving Forward

Once you commit, move forward without constant second-guessing. Coaching helps you trust the process and recognize that making a decision is often better than being stuck in uncertainty.

The Role of Accountability in Coaching

Regular Check-Ins

Think of these as progress checkpoints. Your coach will ask how you’re doing, what challenges have arisen, and what needs adjusting. These check-ins keep you on track.

Adjusting Plans as Needed

Life isn’t static. If circumstances change, so should your plans. A coach encourages flexibility, helping you pivot gracefully rather than abandon your goals altogether.

Celebrating Progress and Learning from Mistakes

No journey is smooth all the time. Your coach helps you acknowledge your wins, learn from your missteps, and keep pushing forward with a positive mindset.

Overcoming Analysis Paralysis

Recognizing When You’re Overthinking

Overthinking is like spinning your wheels in mud—lots of effort, no forward movement. Your coach can spot when you’re stuck in thought loops and help you break free.

Leveraging Your Coach’s Guidance to Break Through

A good coach doesn’t just listen—they intervene. If you’re stuck, they’ll pose a new question or present a fresh angle, shaking you out of repetitive thought patterns.

Taking Small, Manageable Steps

Long-term goals can be overwhelming. By breaking them into bite-sized steps, you turn a daunting mountain into a series of manageable hills.

Building Sustainable Habits for Decision-Making

Developing a Personal Framework Over Time

Coaching isn’t just a one-time deal. Over time, you’ll develop personal frameworks that help you make decisions more efficiently, even when your coach isn’t around.

Incorporating Reflection Into Your Routine

Regular reflection prevents you from drifting off course. Think of it like routine maintenance for a car—you need to check the engine now and then to keep things running smoothly.

Learning to Coach Yourself

Eventually, the questions your coach asks will become the ones you ask yourself. You’ll internalize the process, becoming your own guide in decision-making.

Measuring Progress and Success

Tracking Your Achievements

It’s easier to stay motivated when you see concrete evidence of progress. Documenting your achievements helps you realize just how far you’ve come.

Evaluating What Works and What Doesn’t

Some strategies will fit like a glove; others will feel forced. Coaching encourages you to fine-tune your approach, discarding what’s not working and doubling down on what does.

Reassessing Your Direction Periodically

Goals evolve. Life changes. By periodically reassessing your direction, you ensure that your current path still aligns with your evolving priorities.

Real-Life Transformations Through Coaching

Examples of Career Shifts

Imagine shifting from a job you dread to one you genuinely enjoy. Coaching provides the structure and support to make that transition a reality.

Personal Growth Stories

Whether it’s improving communication skills or overcoming a fear, coaching helps you grow as a person, empowering you to tackle future challenges with more confidence.

Strengthening Decision-Making Skills for the Future

The skills you learn in coaching aren’t just for one big decision; they’re a toolbox for life. Over time, you’ll approach decisions with more clarity, agility, and courage.

Maintaining Momentum Beyond Coaching Sessions

Applying New Skills to Ongoing Challenges

When a new challenge arises—be it a job opportunity or a personal decision—you’ll use the coaching skills you’ve learned to handle it with confidence.

Adapting as Your Goals Evolve

Your ambitions may shift over time, and that’s normal. With the decision-making and goal-setting tools from coaching, you’ll handle these shifts gracefully.

Deciding what you want to do can feel intimidating, especially in today’s option-packed world. Yet, coaching stands as a powerful ally, helping you sift through the noise, identify your true priorities, and take meaningful steps forward. Think of it as having an expert navigator by your side, guiding you through uncharted territory toward the life you actually want. By focusing on action, structure, and accountability, coaching transforms uncertainty into clarity. It’s not just about making a single decision—it’s about gaining the tools, confidence, and perspective to make better decisions for the rest of your life.

Coaching Accelerates Progress: With practical tools, knowledge, and insights, you'll overcome challenges, and realize more of your potential.

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Michelle Burns | Visit My Website

As a Transformative Executive Coach, I help growth-minded professionals and leaders embrace Emotional Intelligence and Mindset Transformation, so you can lead with clarity, confidence, composure, and authentic connection.

With over 20 years of experience in coaching, my unique approach combines the principles of positive psychology, neuroscience, emotional intelligence, mindset alignment, and leadership development.

Certifications:

• Transformative Executive Coach

• Integrative Coach

• MAP Method Coach

• Compassion Key Coach