Why Mindset Isn’t Everything: The Missing Piece in Coaching Success

Why Mindset Isn’t Everything: The Missing Piece in Coaching Success

by | Feb 25, 2025 | Coaching, Embodiment, Mindset

The Mindset Myth

 

 

For years, coaches have been telling us that mindset is everything. That if you think positively enough, believe in yourself enough, and visualise success hard enough, everything will fall into place.

But you and I both know that’s not the whole truth.

While mindset is an important part of growth, relying on it alone can leave clients frustrated, stuck, and questioning why they aren’t making progress. The real transformation happens when we go beyond mindset and work with the whole person—body, emotions, and energy.

 

 

 Why I Believed Intelligence Was the Only Way to Solve Problems

Growing up, intelligence was everything.

In the 70s and 80s, if you were a girl and you weren’t conventionally pretty or popular, you had to find a different currency. Mine was humour and intelligence. If I could be the smartest person in the room, I could hold my own. And I genuinely believed that being clever enough could solve any problem.

That belief followed me into my professional life. Every challenge required thinking harder, finding the right strategy, and understanding the problem on a cognitive level. Even when I first encountered therapy, it was all cognitive-based—CBT, talk therapy, and reframing thoughts.

And it worked. Until it didn’t.

 

 

 The Anger of Discovering Something Better

When I first encountered embodied coaching techniques, something inside me flared with frustration.

Why had I never been taught this before?

Why were we still acting like the mind is the only access point for change when the body holds just as many answers—if not more?

I was learning gentler, faster, and stickier ways to create change, and I couldn’t understand why they weren’t mainstream. Why were we making people work so hard for something that could be so much simpler?

Even after two decades in this industry, I still see embodiment coaching dismissed as ‘woo-woo’—even though it consistently gets results where mindset alone fails.

 

 

Embodied Transformation

Instead of just working on mindset, the SWITCH Coaching Model creates transformation through:
✅ Deep Listening: Hearing the real issue, not just the surface-level problem​.
✅ Energy Shifts: Helping clients change their perspective in minutes, not months​.
✅ Somatic Awareness: Noticing what their body is telling them, not just their mind​.

 

 

Mindset vs. Embodiment: A Real-Life Example

Imagine a client who keeps saying, “I just need to believe in myself more.”

A mindset-based approach might focus on affirmations, visualisations, or positive self-talk.
An embodied coaching approach, however, would look at:

  • How their nervous system reacts to risk and visibility.
  • The stories they’re telling themselves (and where those beliefs originated).
  • Whether their body language contradicts their words (e.g., saying they feel confident while physically shrinking).

Rather than just pushing them to “think positively,” we guide them to understand and shift what’s really happening inside them.

 

The Missing Link: The Power of the Body

Many of our biggest breakthroughs happen not in the mind, but in the body. When we feel stuck, it’s often because our nervous system has detected a threat (even if logically, there isn’t one).

A client struggling with self-doubt might not need a pep talk—they might need to breathe differently, stand differently, or process an old emotional experience that is keeping them stuck.

This is why embodied coaching works. It moves transformation from an idea into action.

Bringing This Into Your Own Coaching or Personal Growth

If you’re a coach, consider:

  • Where do you default to mindset work when a client might need something deeper?
  • How can you incorporate body-based awareness into your sessions?
  • What happens when you sit in silence instead of rushing to offer a mindset reframe?

And if you’re someone who has been doing all the mindset work but still feels stuck, ask yourself:

  • What does my body tell me when I think about my goal?
  • Where do I feel tension or resistance?
  • What happens if I breathe into that space instead of trying to change my thoughts?

 

Embrace Your Work-in-Progress Self

Embrace Your Work-in-Progress Self

by | Oct 14, 2024 | Embodiment, Mindset

The Power of Being Unfinished

We live in a world that loves a polished success story 🌟. The image of a finished product, a dream realized, or a goal achieved is the ideal we often chase. 

But what if the real magic lies in the “in-between” stages—the times when we’re still figuring things out, still growing, still becoming?

In this post, I invite you to embrace the beauty of being unfinished 🌱.

The Beauty of the In-Between

Let’s talk about what it means to be a work in progress 🛠️. 

Whether it’s your career, your relationships, or even your own personal development, there’s always a temptation to wish for the end result—the polished, final version of what you’re working toward. 

But life isn’t a series of finished products. It’s a process of continuous evolution, where the moments of uncertainty and imperfection are just as significant as the triumphs 🎨.

Imagine a painter standing in front of a half-completed canvas 🎨. It may not yet be a masterpiece, but that canvas is full of potential. The artist doesn’t rush to fill in the blank spaces, but instead, sees them as opportunities to explore new ideas, try new techniques, and learn through the process.

Why do we struggle to appreciate this stage in our own lives? 

We’ve been conditioned to believe that only the final product matters 🏆. But in reality, the unfinished parts of ourselves—our careers, our dreams, even our inner selves—are the fertile ground for creativity, authenticity, and growth 🌻.

From Perfectionism to Progress

The pressure to be perfect is an unrelenting one, especially for women 💪. Society tells us that perfection is the goal: flawless career, flawless appearance, flawless relationships. But striving for perfection can rob us of the joy found in the journey 🌸.

Being “unfinished” isn’t a flaw. It’s where potential and growth live 🌿. When you give yourself permission to be a work in progress, you open up space for possibilities you never considered. The path to success doesn’t have to be linear, and the bumps and detours along the way often lead to richer, more rewarding outcomes 🛤️.A0829BBeing “unfinished” isn’t a flaw. It’s where potential and growth live 🌿. When you give yourself permission to be a work in progress, you open up space for possibilities you never considered. The path to success doesn’t have to be linear, and the bumps and detours along the way often lead to richer, more rewarding outcomes 🛤️.

This mindset shift—from perfectionism to progress—liberates us from the need to have everything figured out. Instead, we can appreciate the fact that life is a constant evolution 🌀.

Mentor Musings: How to Help Clients Embrace Their Unfinished Selves

As a coach, it’s important to help clients understand that the “in progress” stage is where the real work happens ⚙️. Many come to coaching wanting immediate solutions, but transformation is about embracing the process—not just the results 🛤️.

Here’s how you can guide clients through the SWITCH framework to embrace their work-in-progress selves:

  1. Set Aside the Outcome
    Encourage clients to set aside their fixation on the final result and focus on the present moment 🌿. Ask them, “What does this stage have to teach you?” This step helps them release attachment to perfection and open up to the lessons available in the here and now.
  2. What Is The Objective?
    Clarify the objective 🎯. Ask your client, “What do you want to gain from embracing the fact that you're a work in progress?” This sets the intention for the session, ensuring that they have a clear goal for how embracing their unfinished self will lead to growth.
  3. Impact of Growth
    Reflect on the impact of incremental growth 📊. Highlight the progress they’ve already made, acknowledging the value in the journey. This helps shift the focus from just the end goal to the significance of their ongoing development.
  4. Transform Limiting Beliefs
    Use this opportunity to transform limiting beliefs 🧠. Ask, “What would be possible if you allowed yourself to be unfinished?” Shifting this perspective helps clients release the fear of imperfection and opens up space for creativity and new possibilities 🚀.
  5. Clarify Their Journey
    Work with the client to clarify where they are on their journey 📍. What have they already achieved? What challenges have they overcome? This reinforces that their current state has value and that progress is being made, even if it feels incomplete.
  6. Harmonise and Embody Progress
    Finally, help clients harmonize their mindset with the reality that growth is never truly “complete” 🌀. Encourage them to embody the idea that being unfinished is a natural and valuable part of life. What small actions can they take daily to live in alignment with this new perspective?

Embracing your unfinished self is an act of courage and self-compassion. It means recognizing that the journey is just as important as the destination. As you move through your week, remember that each step—no matter how small—is contributing to the masterpiece of your life.

Remember, being a work in progress means you’re constantly evolving. Keep showing up for the journey—you never know what beautiful things will emerge from those unfinished places.

The Art of Radical Rest

The Art of Radical Rest

by | Sep 24, 2024 | Coaching, Embodiment, Mindset

Why Doing Nothing is the Ultimate Power Move

I’ve been reflecting a lot lately on the pace of life and the art of rest. If you’ve been following along, you know this month has been a whirlwind for me—filled with weekends away with friends, birthdays, making celebration cakes, and even a bit of comedy! 🎉🍰 Between my work with the Coaching SWITCH Programs, private clients, and the endless flow of networking and business-building activities, it’s easy to feel like life is a never-ending to-do list.

Sound familiar? 🤯

But here’s the truth: rest is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. 🛌 And even more, it’s a power move. We often fall into the trap of believing that constant busyness equates to success, but what if the most revolutionary thing you could do for your personal and professional growth was…nothing? 🌱✨

Why Rest is a Radical Act

We live in a culture that glorifies hustle and grind to the point where rest is often seen as laziness. 🏃‍♀️💼 But the reality is, doing nothing isn’t wasted time—it’s an investment in your future productivity and well-being. Resting is not just about recharging your body; it’s about creating space for creativity, innovation, and personal growth. 💡

For me, allowing myself to relax and spend time daydreaming or diving into a good book (not for work!) 📚 helps me unwind, spark new ideas, and get clear on my next steps. It's in these quiet moments that the magic happens. ✨ But this wasn’t always my mindset. I used to feel guilty about taking time away from “productive” activities until I realised that these seemingly unproductive moments were fueling everything else I do.

Perspective Shift: Rest as an Investment, Not an Indulgence

One of the core components of the SWITCH Coaching System® is the idea of Transforming our perspectives to reveal new possibilities. 🔄 So, let’s apply this to rest. Instead of seeing rest as a break from productivity, what if we saw it as an integral part of our success strategy? 📈

Picture this: rest as the hidden powerhouse behind every brilliant idea, strategic move, and creative breakthrough. 🧠💥 It’s not downtime; it’s preparation time. When we rest, we allow our brains to process, integrate, and connect ideas in ways that are impossible when we’re constantly in “go” mode. 🚦

The Science Behind Rest and Creativity

Science backs this up. 🔬 Studies have shown that activities like daydreaming, napping, and engaging in non-work-related hobbies activate the brain’s default mode network (DMN), which is linked to creativity, problem-solving, and emotional processing. 🧘‍♀️ 

When you think you’re doing nothing, your brain is actually doing some of its best work. Dr. Jonathan Smallwood discusses how mind-wandering supports creative thinking in his Q&A in Knowable Magazine.

Additionally, Dr. Mary Helen Immordino-Yang’s study, "Rest Is Not Idleness", highlights how mental rest helps the brain synthesise information and supports deeper learning and self-awareness. 🧠📚

 

Mentor Musings

How to Help Clients Break Their Unconscious Rules

Now, let’s explore how you can guide your clients through a similar process using the SWITCH Coaching Model:

  • S – Set Aside
    Begin by setting aside any judgments or expectations. Encourage your client to reflect on what internalized rules or beliefs they may be operating from. Hold space for them to be vulnerable as they explore these.
  • W – What?
    Ask powerful questions to uncover their rules. What beliefs are you operating from? What assumptions are you making about your business, life, or relationships? What invisible scripts are playing in the background?
  • I – Impact
    Help your client examine the impact of these rules. How do they feel in their body when they think about these beliefs? What is the emotional toll? Is this rule keeping them stuck in some way?
  • T – Transform
    Use tools to help your client shift their energy around these rules. What if this rule wasn’t true? How would that open up new possibilities? Help them see how letting go of these rules could lead to more aligned opportunities.
  • C – Clarify
    Once your client has transformed their energy, clarify what new steps they can take from this freer perspective. What actions can they take that align with their true desires, rather than arbitrary rules?
  • H – Harmonise
    Support your client in integrating these new beliefs. How can they stay aligned with their newfound freedom? Are there any challenges or conflicts that may arise, and how will they navigate them?

You don’t need to wait for a milestone to pursue the work you’re passionate about. I encourage you to take some time to reflect on the invisible rules influencing your decisions—and challenge them. This is your chance to live in alignment with your true strengths and passions.

What rules are you ready to release? And how can you support your coachees in doing the same?

Until next time,

Lorraine

Your Coach & Mentor

P.S. Check out ways we can work together

This “Rule” Stopped My Students from Doing What They Love

This “Rule” Stopped My Students from Doing What They Love

by | Sep 17, 2024 | Coaching, Embodiment, Inner Critic

In our recent Client Attraction SWITCH Program call, a powerful conversation emerged that I know many of us can relate to. One of my students shared how a past mentor had ingrained a limiting belief: "you can't run group coaching programs until you're making $100,000 in your coaching business." This comment really hit me—it even made me quite angry.

The impact of this belief was clear. My student, whose true strength and passion lie in leading group work, felt confined to one-on-one coaching because she hadn't met this arbitrary financial benchmark. She’s not alone in feeling this way. Another student shared that she stopped running a workshop she loved due to advice from a mentor that didn't resonate with her.

These stories remind us of something crucial: we all carry "rules" from mentors, society, or past experiences that may no longer serve us—or worse, are actively holding us back.

The Rules That Shape Us

Whether in business or life, many of us live by rules we didn’t consciously choose. These rules shape how we move forward—or hold us back. In relationships, careers, or personal growth, these rules can become barriers that keep us from stepping into the life and work we truly desire.

So, I ask you: What rules are running in the background of your life? Maybe it’s “I must work harder to deserve success” or “I need to be at a certain level before I can lead others.” Whatever they are, it’s time to examine them.

My Personal Lesson on Limiting Rules

Here’s what I’ve learned: You can break free from these invisible rules and choose the path that feels aligned with your strengths and passions right now—not when some arbitrary milestone has been met.

This doesn’t mean that everything will work out exactly as I thought it would. In fact, I’ve had my fair share of disappointments and challenges along the way. But each of those was a learning experience. I’ve embraced a curious, experimental approach to my work, which keeps things light and flexible—not rigid like the rules I once lived by. It’s in this flexibility that growth, joy, and fulfillment are found.

Personal Practice: Breaking Free Using the SWITCH Coaching Model

I invite you to take some time today to explore what rules may be holding you back. Here’s a personal practice, aligned with the SWITCH Coaching Model, to help you identify, examine, and begin releasing those rules:

  1. S – Set Aside
  • Create a Safe Space: Start by setting aside distractions and judgments. Find a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted, and give yourself permission to be fully present.
  • Reflect on Biases: Ask yourself, "Am I holding onto any judgments about how I ‘should’ be acting in my business or life?" This helps clear your mind and opens you to honest reflection.
  1. W – What?
  • Identify Your Rules: Ask yourself, "What beliefs or rules have I been following without questioning?" These often sound like "I should," "I must," or "I can’t" statements. Write down everything that comes to mind.
  • Uncover More: Continue with the question, "What else?" Keep digging until you’ve uncovered all the internalized rules influencing your decisions.
  1. I – Impact
  • Explore How They Feel: For each rule, ask, "How does this rule make me feel?" Does it feel restrictive or liberating? Do you feel stuck or free when thinking about it?
  • Examine the Effect: Consider how each rule is impacting your personal and professional life. Is it helping you grow, or is it holding you back? Reflect on the emotional, financial, and energetic toll.
  1. T – Transform
  • Shift Perspective: Choose one rule and imagine what your life or business would look like without it. Ask, "What if this rule wasn’t true?" Notice how the energy shifts when you release this belief.
  • Experiment: Approach this process from a curious, experimental mindset. Ask yourself, "What new opportunities or actions would I take if I no longer believed this rule?"
  1. C – Clarify
  • Create New Beliefs: From this new perspective, clarify what you now believe. Replace the old limiting rule with a belief that aligns with who you are now. For example, "I am ready to lead group coaching because it’s my strength."
  • Identify Aligned Actions: What is one action you can take this week to embody this new belief? Write it down and commit to it.
  1. H – Harmonise
  • Integrate Your Learning: Ask yourself, "How can I ensure this shift becomes part of my everyday life?" Reflect on any potential challenges that may arise and how you’ll handle them.

Celebrate and Commit: Acknowledge the work you’ve done in transforming these rules, and commit to moving forward with your new belief system.

The Introvert SWITCH

The Introvert SWITCH

by | Nov 28, 2023 | Coaching, Embodiment, Mindset

The Introvert SWITCH

The majority of coaches that I know identify with the term, ‘introvert’.  They will happily step back from the spotlight in order for their clients to shine.

It is true of the best leaders I know too.

But being an introvert in what feels like an extrovert’s world can be hard.  

And when we try to run our businesses using an extrovert’s playbook, rather than our own things often don’t work out, or feel good.

Fortunately Coaching SWITCH graduate Hayley Maxwell is an expert business coach specialising in helping introverted service business owners to thrive in their introversion.

In this conversation we dive into the difference between being an introvert, and fearing visibility, why introverts (like me) can be amazing public speakers (and stand-up comedians 😂) and still dread networking events.

Hear about it all, and discover some real, practical strategies and tools to apply to your coaching business.

https://vimeo.com/888895463?share=copy

Hayley Maxwell

Hayley Maxwell is the host of The Unstoppable Introvert Podcast which you can find anywhere you get your podcasts.

To learn more about Hayley and her work (which I highly recommend) you can find her at www.hayleymaxwell.com

Hi, I’m

Lorraine Hamilton

Lorraine Hamilton is an award-winning coach.

She is also a former engineer, part time stand up comedian, voracious tea drinker and wannabe race car driver. Lorraine is the creator of the The SWITCH Coaching System® and has spent the past 17 years coaching ambitious high-achieving women, writing books and mentoring hundreds of other coaches to greater freedom and success.

Learn more about Lorraine

SWITCH On Your Purpose & Potential

SWITCH On Your Purpose & Potential

by | Aug 9, 2023 | Coaching, Embodiment, Mindset

SWITCH On Your Purpose & Potential

Finding your calling can feel like a lifelong battle for many brilliant women, but it’s simpler than you may believe.

Note: I said “simpler”, not necessarily easier.

After almost two decades of SWITCH-ing on brilliant women’s purpose and potential, I have a proven process that gently and effectively guides you to your own self-empowerment so that you can then empower others too.

This is the SWITCH you have been searching for.

Suspend Judgement

Who gets in the way of most women’s brilliance?  We do.  We get in our own way all the time.

So the first step in the SWITCH process is to Set Aside your own judgement of yourself.  We must remove the inner critic voice that keeps you from allowing yourself to dream of what you can be.

It starts with noticing the inner critic narrative and recognising that this is just a part of you that is keeping you small.  Overcoming the inner critic can take a lot of work depending on how deeply rooted it is, so consider working with a coach if you are having trouble with it.

What do you want?

This is often the hardest question that I ask my clients who are struggling to put themselves first.

You can use your Set Aside skills to not get caught up in other people’s expectations of you, or what you feel you “should” want.

This is about getting clear on YOUR passions, dreams and goals.  The way you get clear might not be in an image or plan.  You might instead get a ‘sense’ of what you want to be doing, where you want to be, or who you want to be with.

Don’t be limited by one sense.

They don’t have to be lofty if that is truly not what you want, neither should they be stifled by your fears of what others might think.

You are not sharing this with anyone other than yourself.


Inquire about how you feel now…

Going beyond the cognitive is what makes the SWITCH stick.

When you think of your vision or goal, how does that make you feel?

Where do you feel that in your body? What colour is it? What shape is the feeling?

Again, don’t limit yourself. This is what makes the SWITCH different to other processes you have tried before.

Next, for contrast, complete the same process for how you feel about your current circumstances.

Notice the differences in feelings and presentation.

Transform

Most coaches move into planning mode at this stage and try to design a ‘bridge’ between where you are now and where you want to be.

In my experience, this is not as effective as transforming the energy and feelings that you have about your current circumstances.

There are countless ways to perform this transformation.

Here is just one that you can try…

Leaning into the feelings that you explored when you thought about your passion, purpose or calling in the previous step, what core value was most present?

e.g. strength, courage, wisdom, freedom, adventure…

If that value were to take the lead in your current circumstances, what would be different?

What would it look like to let that value take the lead?


Clarify this new perspective

From the position of letting your core value lead your current situation, what can you see now that you couldn’t see before?

What is open to you now that was not previously?

And how can you stay in this, new more empowering perspective and energy for longer?

Take notes on your answers to these questions and they will lead you to the steps that you can take towards your purpose and potential.

Remember, the actions that you design here are to keep you in that empowered and resourceful state provided by letting your values take the lead.  It is not about designing a plan to get you from where you are to your vision.

Your actions will easily lead you there by spending more time in your new perspective.

Harmonise and embody

Now that you have identified the actions that will keep you in that resourceful state, it’s time to check in on the ecology around you.

Are there any impacts on others that you need to be aware of?

What is the ripple effect of staying in this state?

Hopefully you can begin to see that by embodying your new perspective, there are layers of benefits and that your actions become easy and lead you towards your purpose and maximise your potential.

Hi, I’m

Lorraine Hamilton

Lorraine Hamilton is an award-winning coach.

She is also a former engineer, part time stand up comedian, voracious tea drinker and wannabe race car driver. Lorraine is the creator of the The SWITCH Coaching System® and has spent the past 17 years coaching ambitious high-achieving women, writing books and mentoring hundreds of other coaches to greater freedom and success.

Learn more about Lorraine