Buddy Coaching

NOTE: Our Buddy Coaching program includes 2 parts: a) The initial reccomended "Buddy Coaching 101" guidelines on this page, and b) an 8 to 12 hour special training for those that want to dig deeper into the STRM "tools."  

The S.T.R.M. Buddy Coaching training and support is for Alumni and is another great reason to enroll into the S.T.R.M. association!  Going from the workshop into the "coaching/socials" and the buddy coaching program can combine to create an effective network of support and keep you on track to what you are trying to create in life and in relationships!

The Buddy Coaching program accomplishes several things:

1) Creates a "safe space" to productively share and vent. (Not venting can cause emotional blocks, denial and depression. This is not something you want).
2) Provides a positive "break through" type environment that can dismantle life blocks or self defeating tendencies.
3) Creates a sense of support and accountability which is key in staying on track to what you are trying to create and experience.

Who's my buddy, for how long and how often?
You can either choose your own buddy or we can assist you in creating your buddy team.  We recommend that you buddy coach with someone for at least 3 months and then make a switch. 

If you are really trying to sustain certain decisions or make certain changes, we strongly suggest daily buddy coaching sessions with your buddy, even if it means leaving a lengthy message on someone's machine.  The accountability and support is the key element.  Change and/or new directions and/or big goals, even if we have given our hearts to God completely, takes a lot of support. (Some people take Saturdays and Sundays off).  After 30 days of daily coaching, you may feel like you've got whatever you're after up and going.  At this point you might consider going to 1 or two sessions a week.  

If you enroll yourself into daily sessions then you will probably want to think in terms of 5 to 10 minute meetings.  Weekly sessions would be more like 30 to 60 minutes.  Obviously this is all about what you want and what works for you.   These are suggestions.  If you want change though, the Grace of God is more likely to lift you to the next level in your life as you really put your plow into the ground.

Options for WEEKLY Buddy Coaching
(Anywhere from 20 to 60 minutes, pre-determined, is what most folks do)
(6:30AM and 9:30PM are favorite times)

-Phone meetings (Suggested)
-"Face to Face" sit down meetings.
-Summer Evening Walks.
-Winter Mall Walking.
-While making a quilt

Current Buddy Coaching suggested format for daily meetings
1) Buddy 1 gives a report on the 2 to 5 things he is "tracking", or reporting on.  See your workbook, or ask John where you can get a copy of the "habit tracker."  john@johncanaan.com.  i.e. 30 minutes of exercise, 1 hour of "hard things" type sales calls, 30 minutes with my kids etc.  Remember, Buddy 2 doesn't Mother, scold or seek to inspire Buddy 1.  Buddy 2's job is simply to listen to Buddy 1 and to rejoice if he is rejoicing, to mourn if he's mourning, to laugh if he's laughing and to otherwise just get plugged into his buddy.  NOTE: Also remember that reporting creates accountability and forward movement, all by itself.  Beating yourself up, if you didn't accomplish the stuff you're tracking, only makes things worse.   See the exercise "Interesting" in your workbook.

2) Buddy 2, after hearing the report, says something very similar to (if not word for word): "Is there a tool or exercise you'd like me to run with you, or would you like me to suggest one?"  NOTE: Ideally, Buddy 1 will have an idea, if any, of what he or she may need.  If not, Buddy 1 will either say "No" or "Yes, I'd like you to run__________ (i.e. "Just Say Yes" or "What are You Going to Do about it?" etc.) or "No, I can't think of anything but I think I would like one so you go ahead and recommend one."

Buddy 2 then runs a tool or exercise with Buddy 1.

3) Entire process repeats, going the other direction, staring with Buddy 2's report.


Current Buddy Coaching "Tools" Options
i.e. "What I'd like you to run with me is..." or "what I recommend running with you is..."

a) "What are you going to do about it?"  (This is where whatever Buddy 1 moans about, Buddy 2 asks "What are you going to do about it?"

b) Sharing and/or Venting (i.e. "I just need to talk and for you to just listen")
Sharing or Venting Starters Starters
"My biggest challenge, currently is ____________."
"What is really working in my life, currently is ____________."
"Something I would love your input on is ____________."
"Life sucks because ____________." Just list all the reasons why, moaner.
   (This one can be particularly satisfying, IF it is followed up with
   "What are you going to do about it, or a Run on Gratitude)
"Lately, my biggest fear is______________________."
"Something I really want is _________________."
"Something that I could really use your cheerleading on is _________."

c) The Healing Mirror  

d) Just Say "Yes"  

d) Everything


See your "Tools and exercises book for more ideas"