POWER-TO-CHANGE

Please find below my answers to some of the questions I frequently get asked about coaching:

1.  What is coaching?

It is a way to realise your true potential by using specific tools and techniques which will help you with the process of setting and reaching goals. It is a solution focused approach to personal development that can assist you to make lasting change in all areas of your life. Coaching is not the same as counselling and therapy.

2.  Why do I need a coach?

People come to a coach because they either want to achieve something, fix something or make an important change in their life. People want to work on practical things like starting a business, getting a raise, choosing a new career, getting more clients, coming up with a Life Plan, developing a marketing strategy for their business, learning leadership skills, reducing stress in all its forms, getting a project back on track, increasing confidence, prioritizing activities, getting more done during the day without rushing, and having more fun.

3.  Can’t I just coach myself?

Yes you can coach yourself – it’s called self-talk and willpower! It works, but only when you remember to do it, or when you are in the mood. Not good when you are in the middle of a huge goal or project and are having problems. If you want to get somewhere interesting in life, you’ll likely need an outside view, the support to follow your dreams and a strategy to help save you time and money. According to the American Society of Training and Development, the likelihood of you doing something if you agree to check in with someone for accountability rises from only 40% to a whopping 95% !

4.  Does coaching really work?

Okay, can you tell me an Olympic athlete who hasn’t used a coach to win the gold medal? Even the best athletes in the world understand the value that comes from having someone working directly with you – someone to point out the stuff that you cannot see someone to keep encouraging and challenging you to go beyond your limits and perceived limitations. Actors, dancers and singers almost always use a coach to bring out their best. Sports teams always have a coach and business executives have often had a coach.

Coaching works for 3 basic reasons:

• You’ve got a collaborative partner in your coach. Someone who is on your side who will help you focus on your strengths, not waste time trying to overcome your weaknesses. Someone you can share your dreams and ideas with, with the assurance that you will be heard and respected and someone who comes to know you and helps you focus on what matters most to you.
• Coaching works because you’re connecting frequently. Having regular contact with your coach provides a consistent structure and supportive framework for whatever you are working on. With a coach you tend to have a tighter focus, generate more commitment and you will take the actions you know are needed to reach your goals – no self-talk or willpower needed.
• Coaching works because you focus on you, not just the goal. This gives you the opportunity to develop and evolve which is the key to long-term fulfilment.

5.  How can you coach me when I don’t live anywhere near you?

No problem. Most of my clients don’t live in the same town as me. Those who I meet face to face come from all over North Holland. Those who I cannot meet face to face I work with via the phone, Skype and email – this is what makes POWER-TO-CHANGE an international coaching practice. In fact many clients prefer to talk over the phone as they feel that they can be more open and honest with what they talk about – it also very efficient in terms of time and money as we always call you.

 

 

“Obstacles don’t have to stop you.  If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up.  Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work round it.” – Michael Jordan