What Are Tolerations, And How Do They Affect Stress?

Definition: Tolerations refer to problems, situations, and people who drain you. You may simply endure them without realizing how much they sap you of time, energy or even money.

The concept of ‘tolerations’ was first popularized in the early 1990s by Coach U, one of the first training schools for life coaches. Tolerations have since become a common focus for change among life coaches, their clients, and others who seek to reduce stress by being more efficient with their time and energy.

Tolerations come in many shapes and sizes—literally thousands of situations could be considered tolerations, depending on who they affect and how. Some common tolerations include:

• Cluttered desks
• Critical friends
• Uncomfortable shoes
• Extra weight you’ve been meaning to lose
• A disorganized inbox

Identifying your particular tolerations is an important first step toward eliminating them. See this article for more on eliminating your tolerations.

_{Source: Leonard, T. Becoming A Coach. Coach Univ. 1999.}