| Regardless of how they describe themselves, a good | | | | When you choose a specialist coach working with |
| coach is a catalyst for change... | | | | clients with similar needs to your own, you will make |
| Follow these tips to ensure you get the best from | | | | faster progress. |
| your coach, or learn more about what to expect | | | | A good coach will treat you as in individual, but having |
| before you hire one. | | | | said that, there are a range of very common human |
| 1. Use your coach to help you achieve your goals and | | | | emotions and issues that coaches will be used to |
| set your future on the right track. | | | | working with. |
| From my own perspective, a coaches skill is in helping | | | | Because coaches will be used to working with |
| you to explore what is and isn't working and why | | | | different personal challenges, progress should happen |
| and then putting in place action plans to help you | | | | much faster than if you were left to try to process |
| create the life that you want. | | | | and make sense of events on your own. Use your |
| With coaching, you will have the advantage of taking | | | | coach to help you get over any 'bumps in the road' |
| time out to explore your skills, strengths and abilities | | | | that you are experiencing at an accelerated rate! |
| and how your mindset and personal style can be | | | | 4. Honesty is the Best Policy |
| used to your advantage to help you achieve the | | | | Be open and honest with your coach. You should be |
| desired results. | | | | treated with 'unconditional positive regard.' Your |
| If you have sessions on the phone ensure you are | | | | coaches purpose it to help you find the right answers |
| sitting somewhere that is quiet and where you will be | | | | for YOU, remove uncertainty, facilitate positive |
| undisturbed. You may wish to keep a coaching diary | | | | decision making, support you and enable you to |
| or write in a notebook - surprising flashes of | | | | create a happy and productive future that is |
| inspiration should come to you as you are being | | | | meaningful and right for you. |
| coached, so don't waste these nuggets due to poor | | | | 5. Use your Coach To Help You Dream Big and Live |
| preparation for your sessions. Set aside quiet time | | | | Bigger! |
| after your session to reflect, if you feel the need. | | | | Coaching is a great support for people going through |
| 2. Use their Objectivity to Your Advantage! | | | | difficult or confusing periods in their lives, but did you |
| Your coach should be completely objective and have | | | | know that the rich, powerful and famous use life |
| no agenda for you to take a certain path or make a | | | | coaches to reach peak performance, to raise their |
| particular decision. Because we are not a friend or | | | | game and to keep ahead of the pack? |
| family member you are able to gain some distinct | | | | Some of the most successful men and women in the |
| advantages through this. We will fully respect your | | | | world have personal coaches - from FTSE execs and |
| views and won't declare you 'nuts' if you tell us that | | | | business moguls to film and TV stars. |
| you wish to follow an unconventional path. | | | | Therefore coaching is a positive thing! Whether you |
| Unfortunately friends and family are more likely to | | | | are feeling low or flying high, coaching is still about |
| wade in with their opinions both helpful and unhelpful, | | | | making life better, so embrace this! |
| which may mean that you are dissuaded from | | | | Approach the coaching journey with enthusiasm and |
| something that may actually be very important to | | | | an open mind. Decide to reach for more and be |
| you. | | | | prepared to put in some effort to make life better. |
| Exploit these facts and let your coach explore all the | | | | Finally, congratulate yourself for deciding to take |
| available options with you. | | | | action. |
| 3. Draft in an 'Old Hand' | | | | It takes courage to seek change. |