In the professional coaching arena, it is common practice to identify the areas in which our clients hold themselves back, or keep themselves 'small' or diminished. As coaches, we also celebrate the many areas in which our clients hold themselves as 'big' or 'huge,' thus opening doors for their careers, families or relationships, and creating an endless number of opportunities for themselves.

Some of my clients take offense when I mention how 'big' they are being. I think it's a better idea to think of 'a playing field' concept rather than to think of one's self as 'big' or 'small'.'

Many of us navigate through life in a small, miniscule field and we don't even know it. Our minds are trapped in a playing field the size of Rhode Island while our expectations exceed the size of Texas. How remarkably unsatisfying!

Doesn't it make more sense for us to either increase our personal playing field? There are two options to implement change here: focus on what is really possible, or, lower our level of frustration by reducing expecttions.

What keeps our playing field small? Small thinking--basing our important daily thoughts, beliefs and decisions on assumptions, judgments, fears, doubts, inaccurate or incomplete information or habitual negativity.

I cannot tell you how often clients come to our weekly sessions with self-limiting stories that are caused by small thinking. When I ask them what data they base their experience upon, their response typically lies in one of the above categories.

Just think of what huge fields we can create for ourselves if we began eliminating these categories from our own personal 'standard operating procedures.' Why not begin this week to see how much larger you can make your playing field by eliminating one of these categories?

Tackling all the categories at once will make you crazy, so just select one. You can just play with the one that resonates with you. It does not have to be difficult.

Enjoy your new, expanded personal playing field!! Have a great week!!