Business Life Coaching - Coach's Corner

Session 4 - JR
Developing Healthy Lifestyle Habits in business
In our last session I had suggested that JR get involved with Toastmasters so that he could practice some of his new communication skills. He sent me an e-mail a few weeks later informing me that he had found a local group and was regularly attending meetings. "I've met some really nice people. I've even been talking with one guy about doing some work together." I did not hear from JR for about a month. He was very excited. "I just got my first sale and an additional two inquiries for more information," he exclaimed. I congratulated him on all of his hard work and then asked him how he thought everything was going.
 
Challenges to Health

JR replied, "I've got so many things to do, especially now since I'm starting to get customers," "I haven't been sleeping very well," he added. I reassured him that it was normal to feel a little overwhelmed. I cautioned him, though, about the effects of STRESS on his immune system and his health. JR, like many with a disability, already had a compromised immune system. Being exposed to stress could lower his body's resistance to illness and allow his UTI to flare up. JR was basically an impulsive person and usually did not think about his health until he got sick.
 
Opportunities
When I asked JR if he was interested in being more proactive with his health, he quickly responded with a "yes" He was just getting over a bad case of bronchitis so he was pretty receptive to change. We started off talking about the importance of the mind-body connection. MEDITATION, for example, was a good way to use his mind to relax his body and reduce his stress level. I wanted to give him something that he could do a home so I showed him a short and simple meditation exercise -- one that involved deep breathing and mental imagery. That night he was to practice what he had learned and let me know how it went.
 
Destressing At Home
The next day JR e-mailed me that he had had problems meditating. "I just couldn't concentrate" he explained. "Thoughts just kept popping into my head." I told him not to worry and that meditation was like any skill. He just needed to be patient and keep on practicing. We agreed that he would set aside 5 minutes in the morning and in the evening to practice. If he needed more support I suggested that getting involved with a local group might help. In case he wanted to meditate at home, I also sent him a link to where he could order some INSTRUCTIONAL CDs.
 
Exercise Skills
JR had mentioned in a previous session that he didn't have much time to exercise. "Before my accident I rode a bicycle and played tennis a lot. The only exercise I get now is pushing my chair around." In our next session I brought up the subject of exercise and the benefits of reducing stress through exercise. I cautioned him, though, to first talk with his doctor before starting any exercise program. In the meantime I told him I would send him a link to the Mayo Clinic so that he could do some research.
A month later JR e-mailed me that his doctor had given him the OK and that he had started taking a wheelchair tennis class. He had been surprised to find out that his local junior college had been offering it for years. He also told me that he was now doing Tai Chi Qigong., a technique that combines both meditation and exercise. He had come across an article on it while surfing the net. "I'm really enjoying my new routine" he added. In my e-mail reply I congratulated JR on his lifestyle changes and sent him links to some PROGRESSIVE MUSCLE RELAXATION and YOGA exercises that I thought he might find interesting.
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Diet
JR and I finished up our sessions together talking about the importance of proper NUTRITION for good health. To learn more about JR's diet I asked him to keep a journal. For one week he was to write down everything that he ate and drank. When we reviewed his list JR was surprised to find out how much FAST FOODS AND SODAS he really consumed. We talked about the nutritional value of his current diet and how he could start incorporating some better eating habits into his busy life. We also touched upon the pros and cons of herbal teas and nutritional supplements for good health.
The Successful Entrepreneur
It took a lot of effort and persistence for JR to start up his business. Like most entrepreneurs, he had to create a business plan, locate financing, market and promote, et al. As a disabled business person, he also had the additional concerns about working and not losing his benefits, maintaining his health, finding the right assistive devices, etc.
At his six months follow up phone call, JR's voice sounded strong and relaxed. I asked him how he felt about everything. "I'm basically optimistic even though I haven't made much money" he stated, "The thing I like most, I guess is the flexibility of working at home. I don't have to hassle with commuting and I can rest when I need to." Now that meditation, exercise and a good diet were a part of his regular routine, JR said that he was able to concentrate better. "I'm sleeping much better now too and I seem to have a lot more energy.".
I wished JR well on his business venture and congratulated him on how far he had come. "Making a lot of money," I pointed out to him, "was not the only measure of success. The passion that he felt for his business had given him a purpose and made his life richer in other ways.
"Success is the good fortune that comes from aspiration, desperation, perspiration and inspiration" Evan Esar, author and American humorist.
If you have any questions or comments please contact me at aleaf@seedbiznet.org or
P.O. Box 9637, Laguna Beach, CA 92652 or 949-413-1555 and I will address them in future articles.
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