If you’re thinking about connecting with a coach, then I can assure you that you are on your way to some incredible transformations.
Coaching became a buzzword in the 00s and right now, there’s a life coach on just about every corner. We’re spoilt for choice but it makes being selective even more important.
I remember about 20 years ago when I had my first Life-Coaching session. I left feeling frustrated and insecure – and more than a little annoyed. I felt financially done in. I had had to commit to a certain amount of sessions and did not realise that I would be doing all the work. I believe what went wrong there was that neither of us was ready for coaching. My coach was too new to it and I was not evolved or conscious enough to believe that I had a role to play in changing my life, as I perceived it.
The rookie error was that instead of me seeking HER out, she had found me. She was my personal trainer at the time. She convinced me that I needed coaching. (I admit, I probably did). The thing is, coaching is about attraction, not invitation or hard sell. She needed me to be coached, not the other way round. I was a pleaser, so I was willing to help her out. Needless to say – I quickly distrusted and disregarded the process and never went back to the coaching or the gym floor!
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What should you look for in a good coach? Remember that your coach is going to be your motivator, your strategist and your accountability partner. So …
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What outcomes can you expect from coaching?
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What should you look for in a good coach? Remember that your coach is going to be your motivator, your strategist and your accountability partner. So …
- Consider what their specialisation is. The coach who comes from a corporate world, for example, will know the unique challenges for a CEO but may not be as connected to relationship challenges.
- Qualifications matter. Check where and how they’ve been trained. Weekend courses don’t wash. In fact anything less than 1-year may be questionable.
- Learn more about them even before the first meeting: read their LinkedIn profile, their articles and their blogs. It will give you a good idea of their coaching approach.
- How do they resonate with you, instinctually? You’ll be using this person both as a confidante and a consultant, so it’s important that you feel a connection. Not sure what to ask? Check out my FAQ’s for some great questions to start you off.
- They don’t need to live near you. Our digital world means your choices have opened up and can be coached from anywhere. It’s often a more comfortable space when we aren’t being coached face-to-face.
- Most coaches will offer an obligation-free introductory session. Grab it. This will give you a sense of each other and whether you will be the right match that is needed for a trusting and successful journey.
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What outcomes can you expect from coaching?
- Clarity: You’ll see yourself, and others, more clearly and objectively. Shifted perspectives will open the way to new ways of interacting or unexplored paths to follow.
- Strategy: You’ll be implementing changes to your life by design, instead of by default.
- Freedom: You’ll have broken away from entrenched habits that don’t work for you and discover new, productive ways to act and react.
- Accountability: no more excuses. Your coach will hold you accountable and have you holding yourself accountable, too.
