Category: Life Coach

Silhouette of a young man walking on a tight rope with blue sky behind him.

The 8 Types of Risk-Takers

There’s really nothing quite like the thrill of taking a risk. For some, the powerfulness of this feeling is enough to be addictive. Others, however, are satisfied merely taking risks on occasion. These people usually do not need to take numerous or great risks in order to feel content. It really all depends on one’s appetite for the sensation. Those on the more extreme end of the spectrum are commonly known and referred to as “adrenaline junkies.” These individuals appear to be addicted to the extreme behaviors related to risk, like bridge-jumping. Others, though, appear to be far more cautious, unwilling to even take minor risks in life such as experimenting with new foods.

What is Risk and How Much Should You Take?

But which is more correct? Should we engage in more or less risk-taking behaviors? As it turns out, risk, in moderation, is healthy in an evolutionary sense, which makes it very beneficial to us. Problems mainly arise when people fall too closely with opposite extremes. For example, people who are overconfident in their abilities have a tendency to minimize threats posed by risk, which can lead to the dreaded “crash” and “burn.” Conversely, those who lack confidence have a tendency to exaggerate threats posed by risk, which can make obstacles seem overwhelming and near impossible to surpass. In most cases, we are forced to make calculated decisions regarding how we feel about a particular situation, and how we plan to approach it.

Thankfully, nowadays, we know quite a few important things about the emotional state as known as risk. One of the things we’ve learned through the years is that regardless of domain (financial, ethical, recreational, health), there appears to be more consistency, rather than inconsistency, when it comes to risk-taking by most individuals. In fact, those who are more inclined towards risk-taking and those who are averse to it tend to compliment each other. However, risk-taking behaviors and whether or not we are more inclined to engage in them is dependent on three factors: age, sex, and class. For example, young people tend to be more risky than those who are older. Furthermore, men tend to take more risks than women. Interestingly, however, research shows that individuals who fall into the category of the educated middle class tend to take less risks than those outside of this classification.

The 8 Different Types of Risk-Takers

Personality factors play a big role as well in determining whether or not one is more inclined towards risk. These characteristics can determine how we perceive and understand risky situations in the first place. These, combined with situational, cultural, and social factors, all contribute to the development of a “risky type.” Such types, identified by a group of British psychologists, lead by Geoff Trickey of PCL, tend to fall into 1 of 8 varieties. Below are the types of risk-taking personalities and their defining qualities, sorted by least risk-taking to most.

  • Wary: These types are cautious, vigilant, and pessimistic. There is a strong fear of failure and change. They value tradition and convention over innovation and change.
  • Prudent: These individuals favor predictability and continuity. Their approach is more careful and conservative, as is their overall outlook.
  • Intense: Characterized by being very passionate and generous, these individuals are also very involved, and oftentimes demonstrate high levels of enthusiasm. On the other hand, however, they can be very self-critical, which can make them less inclined towards risk.
  • Deliberate: This group is more even-tempered and well-prepared. There is a level of self-assuredness, which means that their approach towards risks is governed more by their heads than hearts. They are very systematic and balanced in their approach. They prefer to be systematic rather than radical but they are also not unnerved by such proposals.
  • Spontaneous: This group is described as having average risk tolerance. Their defining characteristic is their tendency to be more reactive and expressive. Unlike their more rational counterparts, these individuals are ruled by their hearts. This makes them more excitable, which also makes them more prone to the ups and downs of high hopes and disappointment.
  • Composed: Positive, resilient, and task-oriented, these individuals are usually not very reckless, but can demonstrate quite a bit of “nerve” if the situation calls for it.
  • Carefree: These are the free thinkers. Above all else they value their independence and autonomy. They have a clear sense of direction, which makes them well-suited for fast-moving situations. This group also enjoys challenging the status-quo, which means that they are frequently seen breaking new ground.
  • Adventurous: The final group on this list, these individuals are more impulsive and excitable. Thrill-seekers by nature, those in this group also tend to be more positive, upbeat, and generally act more boldly. They’re not afraid to “boldly go where no man has gone before.”

The Key is Always Moderation

These findings show that risk-taking comes in all shapes and forms, but the key to success and safety when it comes to risk taking, is moderation, regardless of what “type” we might fall under. Studying these different types of risk-takers, though, is proving to be an interesting means of learning more about risks and how we respond to them. This information is not only useful to businesses, who thrive on risk and challenge, but can also help doctors better understand why individuals may seem more inclined to engage in risky behaviors.

Five Reasons You Could Benefit from Life Coaching

Life coaches have become more popular in recent years.  A life coach can provide a special value to a person’s life by providing non-judgmental support.  Life coaching is different from psychotherapy, but it can be used in conjunction.  Life coaching is about helping a person thrive in the present and create the life that they want to have. Life coaches counsel their clients in matters of career, relationships, and personal life.  Life coaches draw from the techniques found in psychology, sociology, adult development, marketing, and many other types of sciences that deal with the brain and personality development to help their clients.  There can be many reasons that you need a life coach.  Here are some of them.

You are Feeling a Little Lost

Maybe things are not going so well for you at the moment.  You may not know what you want to do with your life.  You may feel like you are just going through the motions.  Your routine may not be as fulfilling as it once was.  A life coach will be able to help you sort out what you really want and what you truly value.  Once you have figured out those things, you will likely be able to find your way a little easier.  You can decide what you want to do after that.

You are Having Trouble with Decision Making

If you are waffling about decisions that you think should be easy to make, you might need a life coach.  These decisions are not toast or English muffin kinds of decisions but rather to leave this relationship or stay kinds of decisions.  Everyone has a different method of decision making.  Some people make snap decisions and are confident in them.  Some people take a long time to mull things over.  Some people have to get opinions while other only need to make a pro and con list.  Whatever your style, a life coach can help you sort out the most important parts of the decision you are trying to make and show you the way to the right answer that will work for you.

You Want Help to Become a Better Person

Personal growth is one of the best things you will find about having a life coach.  One of the major pluses to having a life coach is that he or she is meant to be able to reflect you so that you can see your whole self from an objective point of view.  Taking this step back from yourself allows you to identify the parts that you want to keep and that parts that you want to work on.  When growth is happening in one area of your life, chances are it is going to happen in other areas as well.  Working on pieces of your whole life will give you the balance you are likely desiring.

You Know That You Need to do New Things in Order to Achieve Your Goals

Making the choice to step outside your comfort zone and try some new things can be easy.  Actually doing it is a whole other issue.  A life coach can help you take the baby steps you need to take to stretch your boundaries without breaking them.  A life coach will advise you about taking calculated risks and what steps you need to take to be able to achieve your goals.  Your life coach will help you make your way through the unfamiliar ground and move you up the ladder to where you eventually want to be.

You are Ready for a Change

Wanting to do completely new things in order to achieve your goals is different from just needing a change.  You may have just left a long term relationship.  You may have left a job or been forced to leave a job you have had for a long time.  You may have lost a loved one.  All of these things can make you feel like you are ready to change things up in your life by finding a new city, some new friends, a new job, or a new apartment.  All of these things can be helped by a life coach.  You and your life coach can brainstorm and explore and make a plan for what you are going to do with your life and how you are going to change to make yourself feel secure again.

Life coaches are not some kind of fairies that can fix everything for you – they are a great resource that can help you carve out a path for yourself.  They can help you find your way and make you into the most productive and happy person that you can be – and that’s pretty amazing.

How To Improve Your Sleep?

We hear it all the time.  “Have a good night.. Sweet dreams..” and the list goes on.  But knowing that it takes the average person about 7 minutes to fall asleep if it is taking you 20 minutes or more you clearly have a sleep problem and have wondered about how to Improve Your Sleep.  Doctors call this early insomnia, because it is a sleep problem that occurs early during the sleep cycle, right at the beginning, in fact.  If this is occurring you want to Improve Your Sleep.  This is as opposed to middle insomnia (waking up in the middle of the night and you can’t go back to sleep) or late insomnia (waking up much earlier than you want to).  Early insomnia is often a sign of anxiety with middle and late insomnia being signs of depression.  Regardless, though, you want to Improve Your Sleep and there is something you can do to help yourself.  Maintaining good sleep hygiene is how you Improve Your Sleep!  But how do you do that?

Tips To Improve Your Sleep

  • Avoid Smoking
  • Try Not To Force Sleep
  • Don’t Go To Bed Hungry
  • Avoid Alcohol Near Bedtime
  • Maintain A Regular Sleep Schedule
  • Avoid Caffeinated Beverages After Lunch
  • Resolve Concerns With Worries Before Bedtime
  • Adjust Your Bedroom Environment To Decrease Stimuli
  • Sleep As Much As Needed To Feel Rested And Then Get Out Of Bed

There are very important reasons for all these tips in the process to Improve Your Sleep.  If you have followed the process to Improve Your Sleep and are still struggling give us a call.  We are here to help!  However, suffice it to say that if you follow these tips to  Improve Your Sleep you will have better and more restful sleep.  So good night, and sweet dreams to all.

Getting Over a Breakup

One of the things I often hear in my office from people who are working on getting over a breakup is a sadness that they can no longer be in or go to a certain place they used to love.  The reason is that while getting over a breakup they associate it with a lost love they no longer date or a trauma they experienced at that certain place.  Human nature being what it is, in getting over a breakup they have a tendency to just avoid it or leave it (in the case of a home).  While this is unavoidable for some people in getting over a breakup, depending on the situation, another option is to “reclaim” the place by creating new memories in it.

This can be a good option in getting over a breakup if you used to like to go to a favorite restaurant; park or such with a former love and avoid it so as not to remember that person.  The way to do this is by taking your new love interest or even a friend or two to that place.  At first, in getting over a breakup, it will be awkward for you, but if you do it over and over again you will find that as new enjoyable memories are created the old ones will begin to fade and you will have your place back.

What about if in getting over a breakup the place is your home and you have certain bad memories associated with it, such that you want to move?  Obviously, in getting over a breakup everyone is different, so that in the case of extreme trauma (death, divorce, etc.) you may need to move.  However, if that is not an option for you in getting over a breakup, you can take steps to reclaim your home.  Again, the key in getting over a breakup is to create new pleasurable memories in your home, over and over again.  Redecorate, change things around, get rid of old things and objects, move things and most importantly have people over that can make you smile and laugh in your own place.  In time, during the process of getting over a breakup, the newly created visual environment and memories will supersede the old and you will have your home back.  Give it a shot and know that while getting over a breakup may be a struggle there are people that can help you through it.  If you find that is the case give us a call today.  We at Proliance Center are here to help!

What is Offered by a Life Coach in Boca Raton Florida

Many of us have a tendency to consider New Year’s Day the time to look at our lives, create new goals, and set out on a path of personal change for the new year.  While this can be a successful method for some, we often give up on those goals after a short time and lose focus on personal growth until the next year comes around.  As a Life Coach in Boca Raton Florida, I always feel that it is important to check in with oneself on a regular basis and constantly assess what is going well and what could use improvement.  At Proliance Center, we offer the unique experience of working with a Life Coach in Boca Raton Florida to help our patients develop a plan for personal growth or change in any area of their lives they would like to improve.

Amid all of the personal responsibilities, projects, activities, family, social, community, and financial commitments we have, it is often difficult to see the big picture.  With all of these pressures, we can easily feel overwhelmed or even lacking direction.  A Life Coach in Boca Raton Florida can help you to find direction, get “unstuck” in a sense, or achieve specific goals that you have had trouble attaining on your own.  This process offers a source of motivation, confidence, organization, and structure needed to make changes with the support of your Life Coach in Boca Raton Florida to ensure your accountability.  Though being a Life Coach in Boca Raton Florida is a new and fast growing profession, it has proven results through the success of its clients.  Developed from the field of positive psychology, a Life Coach in Boca Raton Florida helps clients to identify and use their personal strengths and attributes to find personal success.  If you’re interested in learning more about obtaining a Life Coach in Boca Raton Florida, feel free to call us at Proliance Center to help you determine if it’s right for you!

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