Labeling

Labeling is starting from a behavior and sticking a fixed label onto a person or onto oneself. A person who makes a mistake says, instead of 'I made a mistake', 'I am a failure'; the behavior turns into an identity. This pattern is dangerous, because the label nails a person to where they are and makes change seem impossible. A person is far wider than what they do. The coach helps the client separate the label from the behavior; a single act is not a verdict on identity.