You know that saying – ‘If only I knew then what I know now…’ This is one of those stories. I had this clear idea that I had to have all the answers, do everything on my own and often this mean recreating the wheel. But at least it was my wheel. I remember the first time I was offered professional coaching, I turned it down. The truth is that I didn’t like how it made me feel about myself to think I needed a coach. I was proud that I’d reached my current position on my own.
After learning that most of the people I looked up to either had a coach or did in the past, I warmed to the idea but still held off because I had this concern that I would embarrass myself. I had no idea how to be coached; I didn’t know what I wanted to be coached on.
I had this image in my head of being on a couch pouring a stream of unstructured consciousness over my coach whilst watching their eyes rolling. I’d imagined waking up the following day with a coaching hangover, after making a fool of myself and telling this person my deepest thoughts and feelings.
LIFE COACHING IS AN INVESTMENT IN YOURSELF
As I look back now, I can see my negative self-talk for what it was. Working with Coaches and Mentors has made a huge difference in my life and what I realise is that I could have started sooner and saved years and thousands.
I know it would be a shame if you didn’t take the opportunity to invest in yourself, so here’s what you need to know so you can be bold and save yourself years and thousands.
You and your coach should be on the same frequency. Trust your gut. If you get a good feeling about working with this person, roll with it, but be aware that it’s not about likeability.
You don’t need to know what you want to be coached on. You only really need a notion that where you are now is not where you want to be. Your coach will provide the structure.
It’s ok not to have everything structured and worked out. A great coach will help you reach a point of clarity and simplify the message. Understand that a coach’s perspective helps them see what you cannot.
Coaching is about the future. It’s not therapy, although some (like myself) have skills to work with you on things that anchor you to the past but this isn’t the focus.
You get out what you put in, so be brave and hold nothing back – hide nothing. A great coach will not judge you and it’s completely confidential.
Growth requires you to expand your thinking, so be prepared for deep questions that make you think and perhaps make you feel a little uncomfortable.
When you’re working with a coach great. If not and you’re ready to take your life to the next level then connect and let’s have a powerful life coaching conversation. It will change your life
