Hammer Time - Or Is It...?

We all have default ways of tackling problems. Some analyse, some avoid, and some go in full steam ahead. It is easy to assume that trying harder is the only solution. As the old saying goes, ‘If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.’ If your usual way of dealing with problems and challenges is not getting you to where you want to be, then it is time to put down the hammer and choose again. Coaching, particularly with an NLP foundation, is about developing flexibility—helping us see beyond the obvious, approach challenges differently, and find solutions that do not rely on brute force.

Seeing the Bigger Picture

When we only have one tool, we limit our perspective. If we believe that ‘working harder’ or ‘pushing through’ is the only way, we dismiss alternative strategies—like stepping back, asking different questions, or even re-evaluating whether the problem we see is the real problem at all. NLP encourages curiosity and resourcefulness, allowing us to shift our thinking and approach situations with greater flexibility. Tools like reframing, anchoring, and submodalities help us reinterpret challenges, alter emotional responses, and adjust our perceptions to find more effective solutions.

There is no instant fix. What coaching can do, however, is help you to develop a mindset that allows you to adapt. When we become aware of our patterns, we can ask ourselves: What am I assuming here? What else could be true? What have I not considered? These questions open up possibilities that were not visible when you were too busy hammering away.

Appreciating Challenges as Learning Opportunities

It would be convenient if growth came from ease and success, but the most valuable lessons often come from discomfort. The struggle to solve a problem isn’t a sign of failure—it’s an invitation to expand our approach. When we recognise that our frustration is telling us something (perhaps that we need a new perspective, a different tool, or even to pause and reflect), we can start to appreciate these moments as opportunities rather than obstacles.

Coaching supports this shift. It provides space to explore challenges from new angles, helping to unlock solutions that wouldn’t have been visible otherwise. It’s not about forcing change but about creating the conditions where new insights emerge naturally.

Expanding Your Toolkit

The more tools we have, the more adaptable we become. Developing a coaching mindset means learning to be comfortable with uncertainty, to trust that we can find solutions even when they’re not immediately obvious. NLP techniques offer practical ways to do this—whether it’s reframing a problem, shifting our internal state, or recognising the deeper patterns influencing our thinking.

When we move beyond the hammer, we realise that not every challenge is a nail. Some require patience, some need a fresh perspective, and some are solved not by force but by understanding. Growth doesn’t come from repeating the same approach—it comes from being willing to explore, experiment, and trust in our resourcefulness.

So next time you find yourself reaching for the hammer, pause, and ask yourself, is it hammer time?