What coaching REALLY is?

From time to time, we get impulses to change. It might be because we get inspired. We might see someone else with what we want. A flash of insight, etc. Most often it's because something has gotten worse than we're willing to tolerate, and we say: "I've had enough!"

Whatever the reason, this impulse for change comes along at certain intervals in our life. The problem is that impulses do not last. This is why we human beings do not make many of the changes that are possible in our lives.

Without coaching - without a STRUCTURE - our natural tendency is to keep our patterns. Go to work. Make money. Keep the same relationships. Keep the same barriers. Want the same things to change. But don't change them. Feel an impulse for change - lose the impulse for change. Staying the same is the natural outcome.

These impulses for change are signals telling you what is next for you in life. They are your intuition letting you know that you are missing opportunities. They are messages (sometimes subtle) about what you really would like to do in your life or who you should be right now. If we ignore these impulses, we'll feel restless at a very deep level - knowing something is wrong or missing, but not sure what.

You want the secret to achieving your goals and having an amazing life? FIND A WAY TO HARNESS THESE IMPULSES.

The coaching structure is designed to harness the energy for change; those impulses that last from a moment to a few weeks. If you feel an impulse to exercise more you may exercise once - until the next impulse. But if you join a gym for a year and hire a personal trainer, you will be fit! In fact, it would be very hard to avoid it having set up this structure.

Coaching is a similar structure, for any goal that's important to you. Within a coaching structure, your natural tendency is to pursue your goals and achieve them. It's hard - in fact very hard - to keep your patterns and your life the same when you focus so much consistent attention on what you really want, and make promises to a third party.

With a coach, the person who feels an impulse to change careers isn't still thinking about it three months from now. The person who is complaining about being stuck or being burned out or not being satisfied isn't still complaining about it six months later.

Without a coach, the path of least resistance is to keep your life the same. Impulses for change often do not last long enough to act upon.

With a coach, the path of least resistance is to achieve your goals! Impulses for change are converted to momentum.

In summary, if you're content for the next five years to be similar to the last five years, then you don't need any input or help from anyone.

However, if you recognize that coaching is a powerful structure for harnessing your energy for change, and that having a partner committed to your success can help you move forward in your life, aren't you worth the investment!?!

What Coaching is not:

Coaching vs. Therapy: Although coaching and therapy compliment each other, coaching is not therapy. A coach works with a person who is ready to go to the next level in an area of their life. The focus is on where the client is now, where they want to go and how they get there.

Coaching vs. Consulting: A consultant is a specialist hired to give advice and provide solutions to a particular problem. Coaching is a more holistic approach. It is the job of the coach to ask powerful questions to draw out the client's needs and desires. The coach challenges the client to develop as a person and to draw upon his or her own competencies.

Coaching vs. self-help seminars, books, tapes, etc.: Coaches tend to motivate and inspire people. However, a coach is not someone to "outsource" your motivation. Seminars and books are great, but a coach takes you to the next level by helping you to fully integrate theories moment-by-moment, day-by-day to create an exciting and fulfilling life. The results are permanent and sustainable energy that comes from within.

Coaching vs. the spouse, friend or "do it yourself" plan: Partnering with another person who is impartial and willing to risk the relationship to tell you the truth can be a powerful way to build momentum. Coaching provides a fresh perspective to put ideas into action through to completion. A coach will help you maintain balance in life and keep you focused in a way that is virtually impossible done the 'lone ranger' way.