COACHING:
ANOTHER TOOL FOR SUCCESS
By: Bill Sparkman
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Back to Coaching
Everyone
wants to succeed. People are spending more money than ever on
books, tapes, seminars, technology and every other gimmick imaginable
to find the inspiration and motivation to push themselves over
the top. Sales people are trying new sales techniques, new scripts,
using new day planners, surfing the web, practicing relationship
selling strategies, purchasing the latest laptops, seeking religion,
using the most up-to-date contact management software and eating
less fat in their diet. And yet, achieving success seems to be
as elusive as ever.
So what's
missing? What does it take to reach your goals, to achieve greatness,
realize your highest potential, and maintain consistency in your
results? The answer may be a "personal performance coach."
What is
a personal performance coach?
A personal performance coach is simply someone who can enhance
the performance of another in any area of one's life - personal,
physical or business. A coach provides one thing that self discipline
and commitment alone can't, "relationship." I've found
that many people are good at setting goals, making commitments
and talking a good game, but fall short of actually attaining
their desired results.
A coach adds
an accountability factor that you don't have when going at it
alone. There is a dramatic shift in the promises you make and
the commitments you take on when your coach is there with you,
every step of the way, checking your progress and supporting your
actions, and encouraging you to succeed.
People seem
to have no problem in breaking commitments and promises that they
make to themselves, but find it much more difficult breaking commitments
they've made to their coach. Letting ourselves down is easy, but
I don't want to let my coach down.
How does
coaching work?
The very first questions to ask yourself before considering getting
a coach is, am I coachable? Can I listen to new ideas and feedback
objectively? Am I willing to ask for help? Am I ready to do whatever
it takes to produce breakthrough results in my life?
Coaching meetings
can take place in person or over the telephone. Due to everyone's
busy schedule, telephone coaching is most popular.
Coaching can
be done one on one and can also include others as part of a coaching
group. If you are part of a coaching group you will still need
one member of the group to be your personal coach.
A coaching
session should be no longer than 1 hour and can also be as short
as 30 minutes, weekly or bi-weekly is best. The coach will keep
the meeting on track and moving forward. The purpose of the meeting
is for you to check in with your coach and report the progress
you are making with the commitments you've made. At the end of
your meeting you will set your goals for the next period of time.
These goals and objectives must be written down and sent to your
coach. I use a form called "Contract for Action."
What
is the role of a coach?
- The coach's
job is to help you get over the goal line.
- The coach
is a great listener. The coach listens with compassion, but
doesn't buy into your excuses.
A good coach has more questions than answers.
- A coach's
job is to assist you in coming up with your own answers, that's
real empowerment.
- The coach
sees more possibilities and options just when you think you've
tried everything.
- The coach
helps to create clarity and keeps you focused on your goals,
commitments, and objectives. Confusion becomes less of a distraction.
- The coach
won't let you wiggle out of agreements you've made. He will
hold you accountable, with a velvet hammer.
- A coach
is someone who believes in you. Your coach helps you celebrate
your victories with you.
- The coach
very often gets as much benefit from a coaching relationship
as the one receiving the coaching. Being a good coach for each other
is also very powerful.
How to
select a coach?
This may be the most important step to beginning a coaching relationship.
The coach you choose must be willing to participate 100% in your
success, it isn't to be taken lightly. A coach doesn't have to
be familiar with your business, remember the coach is coaching
commitment. I have coached a marathon runner and have never run
a marathon. I wasn't coaching their technique, I was only coaching
their commitment. I was there to keep her focused, on track, and
to be sure she was keeping her promises with regard to her workout
regiment. I was there to encourage her every time she wanted to
quit.
Be sure to
talk about how long the coaching will last (i.e. a specific period
of time or even a specific project). The relationship should have
a beginning date and an ending date. This will create a sense
of urgency. You will also be more apt to find a coach when they
know going in how long you want them involved. Sometimes the busiest
and most successful people make the best coach.
It is important
that your coach has experienced success in the area you are asking
for specific coaching. My fitness coach is in great shape. My
financial coach has experienced success in his life financially
and is very prosperous.
It's simple
- to get to the next level in your personal performance GET
A COACH! Even Michael Jordan has a coach. What are
you waiting for?
Bill
Sparkman, "The Coach"
For
More Information, Call Bill Sparkman Today at 847-721-6200
