NORCAL 1st Meeting Motivational Interviewing Workshop

In our first meeting of the NORCAL Coaching group we started of learning how to become better coaches by using a behaviour change technique called Motivational Interviewing. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is defined as a client-centered, directive method for enhancing intrinsic motivation to change by exploring and resolving ambivalence. In plain english as a coach/trainer we strive to find whats the real reason our clients came to us and how we can better help them after finding that motivator.

Highlights from the workshop:

After seeing how useful MI could be to the health and fitness world we began giving examples of our toughest clients to deal with such as the following:

• clients to busy to follow their programs
• clients who expect get back the body they had in high school when it was well over 10 years later
• clients that believe the informercials are telling the truth
• clients who dont want to lift weights and want to put on muscle
• clients who want to eat what ever they want and lose fat
• the list goes on etc...

After discussing our challenges we worked on solutions:

• set short and long term goals
• start with realistic programs and expectations
• menatally prepare clients
• become better listeners and understand why clients think what they think
• empower clients for success
• the list continues etc...

With that said how can we implement MI to help with our strategies.

During the interview process of a client we start using behaviour change strategies immediately:

• ask questions (open ended)
• find clients true interest/motivators
• establish a relationship/rapport with clients
• invite your clients into the relationship process by listening
• start at the begining
• enjoy the process
• open to truth (and all things difficult for that person) open to difficulities
• don't assume > communicate

4 Strategies for starting MI:

O-A-R-S

1. Ask open-ended questions
2. Listen Reflectively
3. Affirm
4. Summarize

A quick checklist on what a MI interview looks like:

1. Open the conversation
2. Ask open-ended questions
3. Negotiate the agenda
4. assess readiness to change
5. explore ambivalence
6. ask about "next step"
7. close the conversation

That's it for the first post. If you guys want to open a discussion about any of the topics we cover this is the place to do it so we can all benefit from the exchange of information.

See everyone on Jan 26,2008 for the Intro to Flexibility Workshop