There is a general misconception out there about coaching. Perhaps it’s because so many products and services are prone to overpromising in their marketing. Whether they come right out and say it, they are selling the ‘quick fix pill’ solution. If you click the button and buy, all will be revealed to you like a crystal ball.
Unfortunately, coaching is the farthest thing from a quick fix pill. It’s not a quick way to fix any problem that has taken years to develop and entrench. Nor is it therapy (and I am definitely not a therapist). It’s also not a way to fix people because people are not broken – we are all perfectly imperfect.
Coaching is both a linear and non-linear process, just like our human journey.
It’s a linear process as we work to discover your ultimate goals and milestones, and look at how to integrate those in your life and your business with passion and accountability. It’s non-linear because we deal with the emotional side of achieving those goals and milestones – perhaps the largest part of our work that creates lasting change, and has likely gotten in your way before.
For example, in order to achieve your growth goals, you may first need to let go of whatever limiting beliefs are holding you back. This could be anything from a fear of failure to a false belief that you have no power over your results, or you aren’t worth having success.
Through the process of delving deeper into goals, we uncover the deeper values that may or may not be consistent with that goal. Your desire for success in your business may be inconsistent with your plan to spend more quality time with your family.
It’s unrealistic to think that in depth work like that happens quickly. Undoing the problems that took you years to create won’t happen overnight. It’s like peeling back the layers, identifying inconsistencies, resolving deep issues, and finding a way to bring your goals into alignment with your true values.
How coaching works is fairly straightforward. I hold you to be fully capable. That means I believe you have all the answers within you and it’s my job to help you discover them. It’s also my job to challenge you with a different perspective and reflect back to you what you are saying.
It may sound like you are signing yourself up for a lifetime of coaching. That is not the case either. As part of the coaching arrangement, we agree on a specific set of outcomes and a timeline when those outcomes will be achieved.
Through the coaching process, my aim is to give you the tools that make me obsolete. And while I won’t do the work for you, I will be there for you day in, day out, holding you highly accountable and not allowing you to continue to perpetuate what isn’t working.
Because coaching is an unregulated industry, anyone can call himself or herself a coach – whether or not they have any formal training. The onus is on you to find a qualified coach who you connect with.
Do Your Research – Find out about the coach’s certifications and training. Ask if the coach has private practice insurance or belongs to a formal coaching association.
Confirm Personality Match – Meet with the coach to see if there’s a personality match. Ask yourself if you feel comfortable being vulnerable with this person.
Ask for References – Call the coach’s references. Ask how the coach was throughout the process and if that person would have any reservations about recommending the coach.
Check Areas of Expertise – Confirm that the coach has experience in the particular area you are needing help with. For example, are you an Entrepreneur wanting to grow your business or looking to go from private to public?
Not sure if coaching is right for you? Contact me to set up your free consultation.
