Seneca said, “don’t stumble on something behind you”. We need to focus on the present and current moment to help the client to expand and grow in their life. There’s nothing we can do to change the past. We can help to reframe the past and let go of the significance of the past, but we shouldn’t dwell on the past.

Signs of being stuck in the past…

● Always talking about past events.

● Thinking that your good days are behind you; the good ol’ days' syndrome.

● Hold on to hurts and pains.

● Refusing to forgive someone.

● Excessive anger towards people.

● Have regrets that cause you to suffer today.

6.) Focusing on diagnoses

We leave the diagnosis to the professionals and instead focus on objectives. We have to understand we’re all human, and we’re all in this human experience. Furthermore, we’re all subject to frailty. If we thoroughly accept the labels put on us, we can be stuck inside the problem, not being able to see a way out. We focus instead on objectives. What do you want your life to look like, what do you want to accomplish, and what areas are within your control? That’s the focus of Stoic life coaching.

What are the possible dangers of focusing on a diagnosis?

● Focus more on the problem than the treatment.

● Focus more on the label than the actual experience.

● Use the diagnosis as an excuse to opt out on life.

● Embrace all the stigma the diagnosis entails.

● Communicate this to the wrong people and experience a fall-out because of it. 

● Feeling like it damages your own credibility and self-worth.

● The label can become an identity.

● The label can give you permission to detrimental behaviors.