Be more sporty, change your career, eat less: there are many resolutions you can take. Sandra Kolb shows a way to make the wish come true.
Everyone probably knows this situation. Every year you resolve to do i.e. more sport the following year. After buying a subscription, you go with great motivation and regularly to the gym. But your motivation quickly evaporates. And then in December, you make New Year's resolutions again. This is one of the situations in which Sandra Kolb can help as a consultant and coach. The 42-year-old worked for 18 years in strategy development in the areas of transformation, marketing and employee processes and has always enjoyed supporting change.
“Head decisions are only implemented sustainably if they match our gut feeling. At the end of the day, we make decisions based on our feelings.”
How could our unathletic friend increase motivation?
The explanation lies in human motivation psychology. Head decisions are only implemented sustainably if they match our gut feeling. At the end of the day, we make decisions based on our feelings. The responsible entity in our head is the limbic system. It processes sensory perceptions into memories and behavioral patterns.
How do you address these sensory perceptions during the consultation?
I use all 5 senses. Everyone has a preferred sense. But everyone thinks in images. For example, when I smell jasmine, a happy image from our family vacation in Spain pops into my head. That would be a powerful resource for one of my goals.
If I, as a perhaps anxious and insecure person, set myself the goal of speaking calmly in front of a large group, will an image really help me?
Fear and love are very strong feelings and can indeed block you. But if the road to success is a little rocky, I just put on hiking boots. With support, I can make it easier for myself. If you want to climb a mountain, you don't start with a three-thousand-meter peak but train on the Uetliberg first. A positive image can help us do this. I can use it like a mantra or ritual. But we'll start with a small team meeting and also work on posture and breathing.
"It's really not a new discovery that active movement in nature is good for us. In Japan, doctors even seem to prescribe walks."
And what do I do with bad experiences and memories?
Negative memories or postponed goals awaken feelings that prevent us from implementing them. The Zurich Resource Model ZRM, for example, starts right there. Similar to project management, there is a framework that guides us from defining goals to concrete and sustainable implementation. My job here is also to support my counterpart in self-help using effective methods and a lot of empathy.
“Fear and love are very strong feelings and can indeed block you.”
How can I imagine this in concrete terms?
At the beginning, everyone chooses a picture from a selection of photos and writes down their thoughts about it. There are lions, the bird in the sky or strawberries. The group then gives their feedback on the picture. A strong and motivating goal is then formulated from this. To the surprise of all participants, this also works without knowing the personal topic.
Who comes to you with what concerns?
In the private sphere, it is often about career advice with topics such as pay rises, promotions or leadership issues. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, professional reorientation has been discussed more and more. Many often already know very well what they don’t want. It is more difficult to find out what is good for you. Advice creates clarity here and aligns the next concrete steps accordingly.
Is it true that men “sell” themselves better?
That is not my experience. I know very strong women who know how to stand up for their interests, and very sensitive men. I don't think it's a question of biological ability. Men and women have their future in their own hands.
You also offer outdoor coaching. It reminds us of the currently fashionable forest bathing and somehow also of Sunday walks with the whole family.
The fact that active exercise in nature is good for us is really nothing new. In Japan, doctors even seem to prescribe walks. But as always, it only helps if you do it.
You ride and shoot with a bow and arrow. Is that also an exercise to concentrate on a focus?
Yes, it certainly helps. When riding, I have to know exactly what I want. I communicate that to the horse through my body. These fascinating animal partners recognize a confident demeanor and react accordingly immediately. But that doesn't always work for me either. When archery, breathing helps me to calm down and thus hit the target more accurately. Actually, it's a good idea to incorporate that into the consultation...
At the moment, consultations with groups are difficult. How do you handle that?
Of course, a face-to-face meeting is nicer. We have organized a mini-workshop on January 19th in the cozy atmosphere of the Blumencaffès Verde in Zollikerberg. There will also be several online mini-workshops. There, all participants can sow their New Year's wishes so that they grow and become reality.
And what is your New Year's resolution?
More time for myself and my loved ones.
Comments