Coaching is a "Professional Partnership" in which the coach and client define the client's goals for positive change and work together on an active strategy that will achieve that outcome (in other words what it is the client wants and what is the quickest and best way for them to get it). Coaches and clients can either work together in person or by phone/Skype usually for regular weekly sessions, during which short and long term goals are defined, strategies are developed and challenges or barriers to success are dissected and overcome. Throughout the process the coach acts not as a counsellor, consultant or advice giver, but as an expert facilitator armed with various tools and techniques that are designed to empower the client, unlock strategies and solutions, uncover hidden resources and supports, engage the client's intrinsic motivation and accountability and ensure the client's progress and success is maintained over time.
The coach uses powerful thought provoking questions and conversational techniques that allow the client to access their highest sources of inner resourcefullness, wisdom and insights, approach challenges and limitations from new perspectives, open up to creative solutions and unique approaches, control limiting beliefs and self sabotaging tendencies and break through barriers that have held them back from achieving their goals.
Coaching is always solution and future focused in that the orientation of the session is always directed towards what the client wants to achieve and resourceful ways of approaching situations, vs. a "problem focused" methodology where time and energy is spent discussing past problems and ruminating over current dissatisfaction. In other words, when a problem or challenge is identified, the coach's job is to re-orient the client's attention and focus towards what they would like to see happen in relation to the problem or challenge (what they want and are moving towards vs what they don't want and are moving away from) and what is within their control to do or change that will move them forward in a positive direction.
If you have ever wondered if working with a coach might be right for you, the following are strong indicators that coaching would be an effective avenue to pursue:
1. You are experiencing some degree of dissatisfaction with your current life or at least one aspect of your life. Dissatisfaction + Vision + First Steps >Resistance to Change. Most of us are keenly aware of what we are dissatisfied with but are often at a loss to how to make a change or are on some level resistant to taking first steps towards making a change. A coach provides the necessary support and expertise needed in developing a vision and action plan with their client and helping them to overcome the resistance holding them back.
2. You are already working on a personal or professional goal but are overwhelmed and/or are not making the progress you would like. Coaches are highly effective at helping to break down goals into manageable steps and stages, defining priorities and developing an organizational structure for progress and completion.
3. You are prone to having great ideas about what you would like to accomplish then talking yourself out of it by engaging in negative self chatter and limiting beliefs. Working with a coach can help to curb and eliminate self sabotaging thoughts, behaviors and actions and replace them with resourceful thinking strategies and viable action steps.2. You are already working on a personal or professional goal but are overwhelmed and/or are not making the progress you would like. Coaches are highly effective at helping to break down goals into manageable steps and stages, defining priorities and developing an organizational structure for progress and completion.
4. You often start a project with energy and enthusiasm but quickly lose interest or procrastinate indefinitely. A coach can help clients to maintain motivation and accountability towards their goals over time and can facilitate ways to measure progress and achievement to the completed outcome.
5. You have achieved a good deal of success in your personal and/or professional life and are now wondering "what's next for me?". A coach can help you define and assess your core values and strengths, the contributions you ultimately want to make in life and put you in touch with your direction, goals and purposeful vision for the future.
If coaching sounds like your next best step, be sure to look for a coach who is credentialed through a professional association such as the International Coach Federation (ICF), and feel free to interview 2 or 3 potentially suitable coaches to find the best fit for your needs. For information on what coaching services that I personally provide, information on the process of coaching and motivational coaching articles in my blog, I invite you to visit my website www.taraenns.com
No comments:
Post a Comment