What good is a coach, and do you need one? I’m biased when it comes to personal coaches because I’ve received a lot of help from coaching and had great results. I’m also a certified coach so I’ve seen what coaching has done for my clients.
Some of the most successful people in the world—movers, shakers, athletes, performers, and people who want to excel in their field—have coaches that help them reach their goals.
Shop around and find a coach you trust. Not all coaches are created equal. A good coach goes through extensive training and stays current in her education. She’s a great listener and she’s objective, not like your friends and family who may not want to hurt your feelings, or who might have their own agendas. A good coach takes your privacy seriously and so whatever you tell her is confidential. You should be able to tell your coach anything, even thoughts or ideas you may not want to admit to your best friend.
A coach will be honest with you and won’t just tell you what you want to hear, but what you need to hear. If you don’t succeed, your coach doesn’t succeed. That’s her job. Think about it this way: You’re hiring someone to help you become your best you. If you can afford a personal coach, why wouldn’t you get one?
A personal coach will work with you one-on-one in person or through video conferencing. You can meet with your coach every week, every month, or more often if you like. A good coach will ask questions to discover your current situation, help you determine what you want your life to look like, and then help you get there.
Coaches can focus on specific aspects of your life and career. They can also hold you accountable, which can motivate you to stay on track long enough to develop new, good habits. She’ll focus on you and your goals, and give you honest feedback. A good coach customizes the sessions to your needs and goals and helps you on a path to self-discovery, action, and accountability. She’ll be in your corner and want you to succeed.
Your coach should be able to match your pace. She may challenge you, but she shouldn’t pressure you to do things you’re not prepared to do or simply don’t want to do. A coaching relationship, although challenging, should be positive so you’ll look forward to your sessions together.
Coaching is individualized. You can read self-help books and websites, but it can be daunting to figure out how any of it applies to you. It can also be overwhelming to figure out what’s most important to you as an individual, or how you’re going to fit it all in, and a coach will help you figure that out and motivate you to follow through with your plans.
Be selective when choosing a coach. Depending on his or her specialty, they should be certified by a governing body such as ICF, the International Coach Federation, or the AC, the Association of Coaches. They should have proper training with a reputable program and be able to provide you with references.
Request a complimentary session with a coach, or try out a coach for a few sessions and decide if coaching is a good fit for you. If they’re really helping you move forward then stick with them. You may actually only need a few sessions to get on track. Some people retain coaches for long periods of time, while others just need a coach to get them through a rough patch. Ideally, you’ll work with your coach for at least three to six months so they can get to know you better and provide you with greater long-term benefits.
A coach will help to lay the groundwork and motivate you, but in the end, you need to do what needs to be done. I’ve seen remarkable results from people who benefited from coaching. Just having the guidance, support and accountability can make a huge difference in your life.
Consider getting a personal coach to accelerate your progress toward reaching your life and career goals. And if you’d like to explore more of your options, contact me and let’s see about a 20-Minute Discovery Call.
A coach can help you get to the next level with your health, happiness, and career, but a coach is not a therapist. If you have serious, debilitating emotional challenges or problems with addiction, get professional help specific to your needs.
