One of the most common challenges clients bring to my coaching practice is a version of knowledge not being in sync with action:
- I know what I need to do, but I’m not doing it.
- I know this theory, but I’m not implementing it.
- I know about these studies, but I’m not applying them.
These statements highlight the difference between cognitive awareness and emotional/somatic connection.
Most coaching and education techniques focus almost primarily on cognitive awareness or understanding.
In the education context, that focus manifests as teaching concepts, theories, and information.
In the coaching context it results in a focus on identifying beliefs and fears that might be holding you back.
The cognitive level of learning and processing is important; without identifying beliefs and fears, we don’t know what needs to change. We need to see the patterns of thoughts and actions that keep us stuck.
Good coaches will also incorporate the emotional level. Emotions are what move us to take action or hold us back from taking action.
The cognitive and emotional levels can yield profound breakthroughs. But breakthroughs alone aren’t enough to create transformation.
To truly transform behavior and beliefs we must foster a mind/body connection.
Creating a somatic experience is essential for creating lasting change.
It’s not enough to know and feel; we must also condition embodiment of new beliefs that enable us to move with fear into action.
This conditioning is not just mindset work — it’s also physical, somatic work. Changing a belief or integrating new information is like building muscle. It requires repeated and consistent effort over time, with the compassionate understanding that nothing changes overnight.
Transformation is not a weekend project; it’s a lifelong process.
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