Differences between Counsellors & Life Coaches

I have recently posted on my website some reflections on possible differences between the approaches of counsellors and life coaches.

To find out more click on the link below:

How Different Are Life Coaches and Counsellors?

Blog Post Written by Life Coach David
For Life coaching Books and Resources visit: Life Coaching Books

How Many Tasks Can You Do At Once?

Earlier this year some research by French scientists was reported in the press suggesting that the brain is able to carry out two tasks at once but perhaps not more than that, because each half of the brain focuses on one task.

To find out more, click on the link below:

Brain Splits to Multi Task

If you read the article carefully you may see that it refers to the brain 'switching' between two tasks. Indeed this has been the received wisdom to date from psychologists: that actually you can't concentrate on more than one task at a time. Therefore although you might do one activity automatically through habit whilst concentrating on another, you can't actually concentrate on two different activities at the same time, you will switch your focus from one to the other.

Often the advice is given that if you are trying to do two activities which require concentration, it is more efficient to do one and then the other rather than to flit backwards and forwards.

For this view - that actually multitasking is not as easy as some people may claim - check out the following link:

Can We Really Multitask?

Forgetting the science, what is practical advice?

My suggestion would be that so long as you can do it safely, try it out each way in a situation where you might be tempted to attempt to multitask. See for yourself which you prefer - what is more efficient and easier on the stress levels for you - is it trying to do more than one thing at once or trying to focus on one thing at a time? Find out what works best for you personally and go with that.

Blog Post Written by Life Coach David
For Life coaching Books and Resources visit: Life Coaching Books

Should Coaches Offer Free Life Coaching Sessions?

I have now posted onto my website as part of my Become a Life Coach newsletter, an article considering whether it is a good idea for life coaches to offer free initial coaching sessions.

To read the article click on the link below:

Should Coaches Offer Free Life Coaching Sessions?

Blog Post Written by Life Coach David
For Life coaching Books and Resources visit: Life Coaching Books

Does Exercise Make You Thin?

People who want to lose weight frequently believe that if they exercise a lot this will help them to lose weight. In fact the truth may be a bit more complex.

In August 2009, Time Magazine published an article highlighting research which casts doubt on the value of a stringent exercise regime in helping to reduce your weight, although it does at the same time refer to the acknowledged benefits for mental and physical health from moderate exercise such as walking while carrying bags or climbing stairs.

You can view the full article at: Why Exercise Won't Make You Thin. Some of the main points argued in the article are:

• Strenuous exercise such as a hard session at the gym is likely to leave you hungry so that you eat more and therefore do not lose weight overall because the calories you eat after exercise may match or even exceed the calories you have burned off through vigorous exercise.
• Sometimes people who underake strenuous activity to try to lose weight may then move around a lot less afterwards, negating some of the benefit of the exercise.
• Doing moderately strenuous activities such as walking while carrying groceries or walking and climbing stairs can help your cognitive functioning. Also people who exercise are at significantly lower risk from a number of diseases particularly those relating to the heart and exercise helps your mental health.

The moral? If the article is correct then I would suggest that you keep doing moderate exercise to help with your mental and physical health but don't expect it to lose you weight. Instead if you are overweight or obese, a better way of losing weight is to follow a sensible balanced healthy diet whilst reducing excess intake of fatty or sugary items.

Blog Post Written by Life Coach David
For Life coaching Books and Resources visit: Life Coaching Books