Why Your Clients Keep Falling Back Into Old Behaviors

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Ever watched a client grasp exactly why their thinking patterns are problematic, only to see them slide right back into those same behaviors? This powerful episode tackles that universal coaching challenge head-on, revealing why willpower and awareness alone aren't enough to create lasting transformation.

We explore how change resistance isn't actually a problem to fix but a doorway to deeper growth. Your clients' familiar patterns feel emotionally safe, even when logically they know these patterns no longer serve them. Their nervous systems require time to harmonize with their evolving mindset. The breakthrough comes when we recognize that sustainable change happens through identity shift, not just cognitive reframing.

Rather than asking clients what they want to think differently, we suggest a revolutionary approach: asking who they're choosing to become. This subtle but profound shift connects behavior change to identity rather than willpower. As coaches, our most powerful role isn't pushing clients toward predetermined outcomes but partnering with their natural growth process. When clients connect their changes to their emerging sense of self, resistance diminishes and transformation accelerates.

Whether you're a seasoned coach or just beginning your coaching journey, this episode provides actionable strategies for helping clients move beyond understanding into embodiment. We invite you to book a free strategy session with us to discover your unique coaching style and learn how to create the conditions for your clients' authentic transformation. Click the link in our description to schedule your call today and take your coaching practice to the next level.

Want a personalized strategy session for free? Book a free call with Marc or Teresa: https://www.modernleadership.us/apply

Whether you're going through a challenge, or working on a powerful goal, join Marc or Teresa for a 20-minute strategy session and leave the call with a plan to make it happen!

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Have you ever worked with a client who knows their
old thinking is not serving them, but they keep slipping back
into their old behaviors?
There's a powerful lesson whythat happens and an even more
powerful way to move themforward.
So welcome back to ModernLeadership.
This is where we answerquestions from our community and
our coaching programs to helpyou grow the confidence and
skills that you need to makemore impact and income.
Let's jump right into today'squestion from one of our Coach

(00:23):
Accelerator members, Poonam.

Speaker 2 (00:31):
Hi, I'm Dr Poonam Ishanpara and I'm their
performance coach.
I help high-achieving women wholook like they have it all
together on the outside finallyfeel like they have it all up
together on the inside too, byletting go of the weight of
perfectionism, self-doubt andnever feeling enough.
Mark and Teresa, I would loveyour insight on working with
clients who logically understandwhy their thinking isn't
helping them, but continue to goback into their old behaviors.

(00:53):
Would love your insights.

Speaker 3 (00:56):
So this is something even the most self-aware clients
experience.
What if this isn't actually aproblem to fix, but a doorway
into deeper growth?
This really isn't about a lackof willpower or awareness.
It's about emotional safety andidentity.
Familiar patterns often feelcomfortable, even when they no
longer serve us.

(01:17):
Their nervous system might justneed time to catch up with
their mindset.
Here's an empowering reframe.
Our role as coaches is to guideclients into alignment, not to
force a shift, but to help themfeel safe becoming who they
wanna be.

Speaker 1 (01:32):
The real shift actually happens when clients
connect change to who they'rebecoming, not just the way that
they're thinking.
So try this instead Instead ofasking what do you want to think
, ask who are you choosing tobecome, because coaching isn't
about pushing.
It's about partnering withtheir growth process.
Now, if you're somebody who'sready to dive deeper into
coaching and help clients createa change that sticks, we

(01:55):
definitely would love to helpyou.
Book a free strategy sessionwith us so we can help you when
it comes to guiding you to helpyour clients get even more
results without having to push.
The truth is is every coach hasa unique style, and we'd love
to be able to help you findyours.
So click the link in thedescription and book a free call
today.
If you're ready to help yourclients grow into the best
versions of themselves, theperson that they were meant to

(02:16):
be, this is the next best step.