We all need a little coaching now and then...
While I believe coaches are pretty incredible, the journey to finding one is not. It can be complicated and overwhelming unless you have the right approach. This is where these simple steps will come in handy!
Prepare Yourself: No one's going to want to coach you unless you are ready to be coached. As a client, you need to be open-minded, take and understand criticism, and not be defensive when things go wrong. You will have to work hard and be able to show just how much effort you're willing to put in to succeed. You are going to need to be great at communicating by being able to actively listen, and express your needs.
Create Goals: While you might want a coach for several areas of life, you'll have better success if you're specific in what you want and need. If you start with clarity and with specific goals in mind, you will have better success.
Be Selective: When looking for a coach, you should start looking for candidates in your network. Talk to those around you who have accomplished the goals you are looking to accomplish. Who helped them get there? You also will need to consider the personalities of those you select, picking a coach you know communicates well or feel like you can work with.
Know what you want: Never leave anything to chance, and don't "wing it" when it comes time for a conversation to happen. Some coaches call it a discovery call - which is good because the discovery will go both ways! A great coach will be able to help you on that first contact. So be sure to know your goals, what you hope to get out of the relationship, and be prepared to be asked, exactly what you intend to put into it.
Don't be afraid to ask: Asking questions can sometimes be the hardest part of the process. At some point, you're going to have to quit talking about your own goals and get the asking part over with. The key here is to make sure there is time to talk, which means setting up an actual appointment or meeting to discuss the potential relationship.
In the end, keep a positive attitude no matter how it goes and you do not have to hire the first person you speak with. Move on to the next person on your list and try again. Eventually, you will find the right coach for you.
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