5 REASONS TO INVEST IN YOURSELF WITH A COACH

"A coach is someone that sees beyond your limits and guides you to greatness!" - Michael Jordan

When the G.O.A.T.(greatest of all time) Michael Jordan talks about how coaches guide you to greatness, we believe he wasn’t just referring to sports. Even the greats look at investing in themselves and their potential.

Think about how coaches are all around you. Your doctor is your health coach. Your teachers in school were your learning coaches. And someone who you turn to for personal advice may even be your life coach. But while coaches surround us in our everyday lives, there’s a difference between someone who can lend an ear and someone who can take you and your business to the next level.

A coach who’s had the right experience and training can help you develop your professional skills and lead you to success. Self awareness is the #1 attribute for success in business today. Warren Buffet is known for saying that his investment in himself was the absolute best investment he has ever made. Coming from the Oracle of Omaha, I'd say that's a pretty important investment. Through strategic planning and programs, the right coach can help you gain clarity on who you are as a person and a professional. Here are five reasons to consider if you should invest in a coach:

1. You Need Help Defining Your Goals

You have all these ideas; however, you find yourself struggling to put them into words and more importantly, put your goals into action. Where should I start? Are these goals too small, too big? I don't know where I want to go. A coach can help you align your plans with your purpose by helping you create and assess your vision. They will help you set goals and a plan to achieve them.

2. You’re Overwhelmed

Business owners often curse themselves with the belief that they need to do it all. They have a hard time letting go of the reigns and delegating to someone else. This leads to an overwhelming feeling that brings about reactionary leadership... Reactionary leadership is the fastest way to no where. We then panic and become more controlling. We focus and track efficiency and trying to go faster and do more. Although this seems like the right decision it can lead to significant consequences, like burn out. A coach can help you slow down and assess the direction you are headed to ensure your priorities are in line. That your actions will lead and serve you in the direction you intentionally want to go.

3. You Need Someone to Confide In

Sometimes it’s hard to admit when we’re feeling vulnerable or insecure. When you question your abilities or are embarrassed to admit you need support, a coach will be there to be your confidant. Many new leaders or folks that have experienced exponential growth in their career can eventually feel isolated and alone. They can't confide in the team and often feel they have no where to turn. They fear not being able to live up to the expectations they and others have placed upon them. They fear they don't have the answers for tomorrows challenges. A coach can be a safe place to turn to. They often times can lend their expertise and perspective when appropriate. Sometimes you need a sounding board or someone to bounce ideas off, they can be that too.

4. You’re in a Slump

Not getting the results you want? Whether you’ve hit a roadblock or find yourself in a rut, a coach can help you get unstuck. You may need a fresh point of view, a pep talk, or someone to help revisit the goals. You can't keep doing what you've been doing and expect a new result. Changing it up with a coach can bring the shift to get you back on track. You will be able to identify the most impactful activities and actions to drive focus and accountability around.

Too often, we fail to recognize the positive because we’re so focused on what's lacking or what didn't turn out as expected. Sometimes, we need someone who sees things from a different vantage point to make us realize we're obsessing over the wrong things and motivate us to stay on track.

5. You Need Someone to Challenge Your Thinking

Sometimes what we need most is for everyone to stop being so agreeable. When you are the boss, it’s hard to know for sure if your employees nod and say 'yes' because they think your ideas are brilliant or if they're polite, so they don’t get fired. This leads to the leader feeling isolated and alone. A good coach will be honest with you; they will give you actionable feedback and advice based on years of experience and training.

MJ found value is having a coach to push him beyond his current greatness. If you feel like you’re not unlocking your full potential, a certified coach can help you figure out why. The right coach can bring perspective and bring in to focus the path to your next level. Thats what happened for MJ. He went from being the best basketball player on the court to a 6-Time Champion and the greatest basketball player of all time. Sometimes you need to get outside your head and seek the expertise of someone who is trained to help leaders like you achieve your goals.

Choosing the right coach is an important first step. Contact me to get the 5 questions you must ask to determine if a coach is a good fit. You can email me @ [email protected] or call me at 602-721-8918.