Breaking My Patterns to Become a Game-Changing Coach

I’ve always believed in growth. But training to become a game-changing coach has made me realize something profound – the first person I need to coach is myself.

This journey isn’t just about mastering techniques or refining my skills. It’s about rewiring how I think, react, and show up – not only for myself but also for the people I will guide. And let me tell you, it’s been intense.

I’ve been grappling with overthinking, self-doubt, and the unconscious patterns that have shaped my decisions for years. Some days, it feels like these patterns are running the show, keeping me stuck in old habits. But each session, each challenge, and each breakthrough is forcing me to look in the mirror and see where I’m holding back, where I hesitate, and where my old narratives try to take over.

The Power of Noticing Patterns

Before we can change, we need to notice. And that’s exactly what this process is teaching me. I’m starting to recognize:

How often I hold back, waiting for the “right” thing to say instead of trusting my intuition.

The inner critics whisper that I’m not ready or not good enough.
The urge to perfect everything before I speak instead of embracing the power of being in the moment.
How easy it is to get stuck in my head – and how powerful it is to pull myself back into presence.
Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward shifting them. And shifting them is where the real transformation begins.

Practical Steps for Rewiring Mindsets
I’m not just passively absorbing this process but actively working through it. Here’s what’s helping me move past my own limiting beliefs and step into a stronger coaching mindset:

1. Reframing Self-Doubt as a Signal for Growth
Instead of letting doubt hold me back, I’m learning to see it as a sign that I’m stepping into something bigger. Self-doubt often means we’re outside our comfort zone, which is exactly where growth happens.

🔹 Tip: Next time you hear that inner voice whisper, You’re not ready, respond with: This is new, and that’s why I’m learning. Growth happens in the discomfort.

2. Trusting Intuition Over Perfection
One of my biggest challenges has been waiting until I have the “perfect” response instead of trusting my gut. But true coaching isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about being present, listening deeply, and responding in the moment.

🔹 Tip: When you catch yourself overthinking, take a deep breath, trust what you already know, and respond naturally. Progress happens when you lean into the real conversation, not the rehearsed one.

3. Getting Out of My Head and Into the Present
As someone who’s spent years in journalism and media, I’m wired to analyze, structure, and craft the perfect narrative. But coaching is different. It requires presence. It requires being fully attuned to the person in front of me, rather than crafting the next response in my head.

🔹 Tip: If you find yourself overanalyzing in a conversation, physically ground yourself. Press your feet into the floor, take a deep breath, and focus on what the other person is saying—not what you should say next.

4. Speaking Before I Feel 100% Ready
I’ve spent years coaching others in writing, branding, and communication. And yet, stepping into this new space has made me realize how often I hesitate. I want to have the perfect insight, the perfect wording, the perfect delivery. But coaching, like life, doesn’t work that way. It’s messy. It’s imperfect. And that’s where the magic happens.

🔹 Tip: Commit to saying something before you feel fully ready. Growth comes from taking action, not waiting for perfection.

Why This Matters for My Coaching Clients
Coaching isn’t just about tools and techniques – it’s about who you are as a coach. If I’m not doing the deep work myself, how can I expect my clients to?

By challenging my own patterns, I’m better equipped to help others do the same. Whether it’s breaking through imposter syndrome, shifting limiting beliefs, or stepping into leadership, I know firsthand how powerful these mindset shifts can be.

The best coaches don’t just teach from theory – they teach from experience. And this experience is shaping me into the kind of coach I want to be: one who helps people break through their biggest roadblocks, because I’ve done it myself.

Your Invitation to Break Through
If you’re feeling stuck in old patterns, doubting your next step, or waiting for the “right time” to take action, trust me – I get it. I also know that transformation happens the moment we decide to stop waiting and start moving.

Credit: McLaren Coaching, Grammarly, Gemini and ChatGPT for guidance, fact-checking and grammar assistance!