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The Balance Tree Personal Life Coach, Hypnosis Practitioner, NLP Master Practitioner, NLP Trainer, Bowen Therapist

๐‹๐„๐“'๐’ ๐“๐€๐‹๐ŠWe all know to ask open-ended questions if we want to create a mature, motivational and positive conversation....
23/12/2025

๐‹๐„๐“'๐’ ๐“๐€๐‹๐Š
We all know to ask open-ended questions if we want to create a mature, motivational and positive conversation. But why not "why"?

A "Why?" question can often prompt a reaction of defense or offence and it usually doesn't get you a sophisticated answer. Add a tone of doubt or accusation to your why question and the conversation is likely to take a downward spiral very quickly.

Bringing in the old How, What, When, Who and other conversation starters will help you ask a more comprehensive question to which you are more likely to get the full and unbiased answer you are looking for.

"Why did you do that?" may result in "Because I want to", "Because you told me to", "What's it to you!"
versus
"What brought you to that decision?" or "Can you help me understand what's happening here?" or "Show me how this works".

By using this technique you're likely to receive a more substantial answer and one that is closer to the intention of your question as it implies curiosity rather than judgement.

I'd love you try this during the week and let me know how you get on.

๐‹๐ž๐ญ'๐ฌ ๐“๐š๐ฅ๐คBody language and non-verbal cues equate to around 93% of the impact of your communication with words making u...
16/12/2025

๐‹๐ž๐ญ'๐ฌ ๐“๐š๐ฅ๐ค
Body language and non-verbal cues equate to around 93% of the impact of your communication with words making up a meager 7%!

We are taught to chose our words carefully, and, of course, these are absolutely important, whilst at the same time being aware of the tone of our voice and the physical queues we are projecting.

It's difficult to exude confidence if you are speaking at a meeting with your head down and fiddling with your shoe laces! No matter how amazing your presentation.

Will someone really believe you if you are complimenting them while you're yawning or talking to someone else at the same time?

How can you be taken seriously if you are checking your emails whilst reprimanding someone?

Heads up. Be present. Factor in your physical cues, tone of voice and choice of language.
I'd love to hear how you get on with these.

๐‹๐„๐“'๐’ ๐“๐€๐‹๐ŠYou're looking fantastic but ....When you hear that word ... but ... you brace yourself for the negative, righ...
09/12/2025

๐‹๐„๐“'๐’ ๐“๐€๐‹๐Š
You're looking fantastic but ....
When you hear that word ... but ... you brace yourself for the negative, right? It's just one little word that can really change the flavour of a sentence, even when there is positive intention!

Using the word "but" negates the statement that came before it. On top of that it can often shut down dialogue and reduce the opportunity for what needs to be said. Try using the word "and" instead.

I want to meet with you ๐›๐ฎ๐ญ I'm busy right now. (๐‘ƒ๐‘œ๐‘ก๐‘’๐‘›๐‘ก๐‘–๐‘Ž๐‘™ ๐‘“๐‘œ๐‘Ÿ ๐‘œ๐‘กโ„Ž๐‘’๐‘Ÿ ๐‘๐‘’๐‘Ÿ๐‘ ๐‘œ๐‘› ๐‘๐‘Ÿ๐‘’๐‘ ๐‘ข๐‘š๐‘–๐‘›๐‘” ๐‘ฆ๐‘œ๐‘ข ๐‘‘๐‘œ๐‘›'๐‘ก โ„Ž๐‘Ž๐‘ฃ๐‘’ ๐‘ก๐‘–๐‘š๐‘’ ๐‘“๐‘œ๐‘Ÿ ๐‘กโ„Ž๐‘’๐‘š)
I want to meet with you ๐š๐ง๐ would love to schedule something for this afternoon.

You've done a great job on that project ๐›๐ฎ๐ญ the deadline has changed. (๐‘ƒ๐‘œ๐‘ก๐‘’๐‘›๐‘ก๐‘–๐‘Ž๐‘™ ๐‘“๐‘œ๐‘Ÿ ๐‘œ๐‘กโ„Ž๐‘’๐‘Ÿ ๐‘๐‘’๐‘Ÿ๐‘ ๐‘œ๐‘› ๐‘ก๐‘œ ๐‘“๐‘’๐‘’๐‘™ ๐‘กโ„Ž๐‘’๐‘Ÿ๐‘’ ๐‘Ž๐‘Ÿ๐‘’ ๐‘›๐‘œ ๐‘š๐‘œ๐‘Ÿ๐‘’ ๐‘œ๐‘๐‘ก๐‘–๐‘œ๐‘›๐‘ )
You've done a great job on that project ๐š๐ง๐ with the changing deadline I've approved extra hours.

Swap ๐›๐ฎ๐ญ for ๐š๐ง๐ this week and monitor the response! I'd love to hear how you get on.

Are you wanting to make a change and you're not sure where to start? Let us be your first step. Explore your options - h...
05/12/2025

Are you wanting to make a change and you're not sure where to start? Let us be your first step.

Explore your options - https://www.thebalancetree.com.au

๐‹๐„๐“'๐’ ๐“๐€๐‹๐ŠGreat leaders know how to get the most out of their teams.Great leaders know how to set meaningful boundaries ...
02/12/2025

๐‹๐„๐“'๐’ ๐“๐€๐‹๐Š
Great leaders know how to get the most out of their teams.
Great leaders know how to set meaningful boundaries whilst giving the other person options.
Great leaders know how to maintain focus on the desired result.

"This or That" strategy will help you narrow your focus for output and allow the other person a clear understanding of what is expected to be part of a successful outcome.

P.S. Works great for the kids as well! ๐Ÿ˜‰

โ€ข Unlock your true potential - https://www.thebalancetree.com.au โ€ขWhen we are down, we can be quite hard on ourselves. "...
28/11/2025

โ€ข Unlock your true potential - https://www.thebalancetree.com.au โ€ข

When we are down, we can be quite hard on ourselves. "I'm not good enough"... "smart enough"... "rich enough"... "thin enough"- it's different for each of us. Do you ever stop yourself in these moments and instead think what you ARE?!

Itโ€™s time to shift your and who you are, what you are, what you have and what you've achieved.

๐‹๐„๐“'๐’ ๐“๐€๐‹๐ŠOur unconscious mind cannot process negatives.Saying what ๐‘›๐‘œ๐‘ก to do just conjures up an image of what ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐จ fi...
25/11/2025

๐‹๐„๐“'๐’ ๐“๐€๐‹๐Š
Our unconscious mind cannot process negatives.
Saying what ๐‘›๐‘œ๐‘ก to do just conjures up an image of what ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐จ first! Our brain has to understand the thing before we can disengage from it.

Communicating with positive language and being clear on what you ๐‘‘๐‘œ ๐‘ค๐‘Ž๐‘›๐‘ก decreases confusion and ambiguity whilst building productivity and clarity. To get the most out of your teams, managers, friends and family use positive and productive language.

๐‹๐„๐“'๐’ ๐“๐€๐‹๐Š๐ด๐‘”๐‘Ÿ๐‘’๐‘’๐‘š๐‘’๐‘›๐‘ก ๐‘œ๐‘Ÿ ๐‘‡๐‘Ž๐‘˜๐‘’๐‘œ๐‘ฃ๐‘’๐‘Ÿ?When you are trying to get your message across do people feel like you are expressing yo...
18/11/2025

๐‹๐„๐“'๐’ ๐“๐€๐‹๐Š
๐ด๐‘”๐‘Ÿ๐‘’๐‘’๐‘š๐‘’๐‘›๐‘ก ๐‘œ๐‘Ÿ ๐‘‡๐‘Ž๐‘˜๐‘’๐‘œ๐‘ฃ๐‘’๐‘Ÿ?

When you are trying to get your message across do people feel like you are expressing your view whilst respecting their opinion or that you completely take over and push your message across to anyone who will listen? ๐Ÿ˜ฌ

If you're not the Takeover type I'm sure you have experienced being on the other side of a pushy, opinionated person who cannot or will not listen to your thoughts and views. And, as we all know, it's not pleasant. Nor does it allow for growth, inclusion or productivity.

We can't change others but we can certainly learn more about effective communication and be an example to those around us. To assist with creating conversations that are balanced and open let's look at Agreement Frames.

Agreement Frames aren't about agreeing with everything the other person says and you backing down from ๐‘ฆ๐‘œ๐‘ข๐‘Ÿ view. To the contrary! Being the People Pleaser or Yes Person is certainly not the way to a Balanced and Effective Life! Agreement Frames are about giving respect to the other person's opinion whilst, at the same time, expressing yours. It's about avoiding resistance from the other person, in order to keep them involved in the conversation and open up new ideas.

The three Agreement Frames are:
I appreciate ...
I agree ...
I respect ...

If someone tells you "I'm too busy to keep coming to meetings every week" you could respond with
"Everyone is busy - I need you to make the effort!" OR you could use an Agreement Frame:
"๐ผ ๐‘Ž๐‘๐‘๐‘Ÿ๐‘’๐‘๐‘–๐‘Ž๐‘ก๐‘’ you are busy and as I value your input I'd love you to come each time."
"๐ผ ๐‘Ÿ๐‘’๐‘ ๐‘๐‘’๐‘๐‘ก that you have a big workload at the moment and it would be great if you could attend every fortnight."
"๐ผ ๐‘Ž๐‘”๐‘Ÿ๐‘’๐‘’, you have a lot going on at the moment, and I would love you to share your findings next week with the others."
You can see the difference between the first response - putting your opinion across and shutting the other person down - and the Agreement Frame options.

It's important that when you say I appreciate, I agree or I respect, that you sincerely and legitimately do! You need to be sincere in your approach and choose your words carefully for this to be a win-win for all parties. Your goal is for the other person to feel listened to and to keep the lines of communication open and respectful.

I'd love to hear about your experiences with the Agreement Frames and what differences they made to your conversations.

Discover your passion and purpose - https://www.thebalancetree.com.auAfter the last few months, you may feel the grey cl...
14/11/2025

Discover your passion and purpose - https://www.thebalancetree.com.au

After the last few months, you may feel the grey cloud of uncertainty circling above your head. This is a time of unprecedented - dig deep, start looking at all the positive possibilities and be .

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