You might remember the expression “Catch some air.” Some years ago, to “catch some air” simply meant to go outside for a breath of fresh air. In the last decade or so it has taken on a heavy sports connotation such as catching air while skiing, skateboarding, etc. The word “air” is often preceded by a modifier such as “big” or “major” to emphasize the size of the jump.
I prefer to use AIR to describe how people can conduct a major re-set in their life. For example, I had the privilege of training a client in my Total Transformation Training Program (TX3P) over the past month. We worked from 60 to 135 minutes daily on the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of their life. It was tough on the client, but their earnest desire to bring about that transformation saw them through almost five weeks of demanding training. My P4 Method, which employs the principles of Planning (sequential steps), Patience (in seeing progress), Practice (of mental and physical skills), and Perseverance (sticking with it when it is hard) (P4) guided our four plus weeks together.
I have been drafting the client’s Summary Report over the past few days, stating the training goals, and charting weekly progress. As I wrote, it dawned on me that there is more going on here than simply charting walking, lifting, yoga, and mindfulness. It was the client’s pursuit of a higher goal, that of finding what yogis call their “Best Self,” in which self-limiting barriers drop away allowing the client to clearly see themselves as they truly are, who they truly aspire to become, and how they are going to get there with the assistance of the coach.
The acronym AIR comes to mind for Attention (to the present moment), Intention (for the future goal), and Repeat (for the dedication to the training program). To my mind AIR captures both the current mission statement and future oriented vision statement – and it describes the shared path of the coach and the client.
May you “catch the air” you need in achieving your goals and staying on the path to the next plateau.
