Can You Afford Coaching?
A friend of mine recently asked, “Do you find that the people who most need coaching can least afford it?” and it got me thinking about money and about the value of coaching. The question of what you can afford it highly subjective and value-laden. Look at any budget — your own or the government’s (okay, maybe you don’t want to look at that) — and you will find choices and priorities based on implicit or explicit values. One person who can “afford” to spend 30% more on organic products may not feel she can “afford” a $100/month gym...
Read MoreThe Secret of Goal Setting: Values Alignment
One of the first things we do in a coaching relationship — whether it is career coaching, leadership development, team coaching, or personal life coaching — is set goals. Like most coaches, I encourage my clients to (1) be very specific about their goals, (2) make them measurable (how will you know if you have succeeded?), (3) set a time limit, (4) identify what actions will move them toward their goal, and (5) relate their goal to their values, so that it inspires and motivates them. It is the last element that is the true engine of achieving your goal. As an example, I will...
Read MoreWhat Do You Want?
One of the first questions I ask new and prospective clients is “what do you want?” More often than not, the answer is: “I don’t know,” or “I’m not sure.” The first phase of coaching then focuses on clarifying what the client wants so that he or she can begin to move forward with change. If you, too, are dissatisfied and having a hard time figuring out what you want, here are some coach’s tips to help you answer your big question. 1. Listen to yourself. Separating what you want from what you think you should want or what others want for...
Read MoreBattling Resistance
Today I’m writing about the ways in which we stop ourselves from pursuing what we want: resistance in all its forms. Sometimes it is personified as our gremlin, saboteur, or negative voice that tells us that we are not capable of doing or creating what we want or that we don’t deserve it. Sometimes resistance looks like a long to do list that includes so many urgent tasks that we never get around to the really important stuff like starting our business or writing our novel (or blog!). Other times it is the whisper of procrastination “I’ll start my [diet/work-out...
Read MoreAsk the Right Questions
Sometimes, asking “why?” can be a trap. A typical individual coaching client comes to me wanting to do something (it could be anything – find a job, write a book, earn a promotion, get in shape) and looking for my help. Very likely by the time he comes to me, he has been thinking about it for a while. He probably feels stuck and unable to close the gap between what is and what he wants it to be. The temptation for some of these clients is to delve into explaining to me why they have not done what they say they want. Reasons range from the practical (it’s hard, they don’t have...
Read MoreDIY – Ten Questions Coaches Ask to Improve Work Effectiveness and Satisfaction
Are you satisfied with your work life and performance? Here are some great questions to ask yourself if you want to improve your effectiveness, satisfaction, and overall happiness. What are my top three work priorities? Biggest challenges? What are my three greatest strengths? What is my greatest weakness? When and under what circumstances am I most effective? How do I waste time and energy? What would make my job more fun? What would make me feel proud? What am I tolerating? What work relationships are most important to me and who are my strongest allies? Where do I most want to grow? What...
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