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What Coaching Isn't

Guest post by: Dave Ferguson

Article Overview: I hope over the past two weeks you’ve gotten a good idea of what Business & Life Coaching is. I know I’ve sparked some new interest, as several readers have called and/or emailed me. Thank you for your interest. Marketing is all about education and I believe education is something we all must be getting constantly. Think about that and your business. Today, I would like to share with you what I believe coaching isn’t. I know what you’re thinking right now. You’re thinking, why would he have to write about this, isn’t it just the opposite of what coaching is? While some of that may be true, let’s look at what coaching truly isn’t:

What Coaching Isn't

I hope over the past two weeks you’ve gotten a good idea of what Business & Life Coaching is. I know I’ve sparked some new interest, as several readers have called and/or emailed me. Thank you for your interest. Marketing is all about education and I believe education is something we all must be getting constantly. Think about that and your business.

Today, I would like to share with you what I believe coaching isn’t. I know what you’re thinking right now. You’re thinking, why would he have to write about this, isn’t it just the opposite of what coaching is? While some of that may be true, let’s look at what coaching truly isn’t:

1. Coaching is not a sprint. Many people think they can hire a coach on a short-term basis and see the results they want after two or three coaching sessions. The fact is, coaching is a long-term commitment, kind of like a marathon.

2. Coaching is not a medical/clinical model. While a good coach can diagnose what you and your business needs are, there is no pathology involved. A good coach doesn’t need a PHD from an accredited university. An experienced and effective coach should have a PHD in Business & Life, from what I call the school of hard knocks!

3. Coaching isn’t about fixing the past. It’s more about building a path for the future. Most coaching clients desire to move to a higher and better level of functioning. That doesn’t mean we don’t visit the past, we just don’t dwell on it. As my good friend Tony Robbins likes to say, “The past only equals the future if you bring it with you!”

4. Coaching does not assume emotions are a symptom of something. Coaches see emotions as natural and helps normalize them. The positive emotions are used to build on and the negative emotions are removed.

5. Coaching isn’t about nurturing and parenting a client. A good coach should act as a catalyst to challenge, should be direct, and should be a straight talker (anyone that knows me is agreeing big-time right now).

6. Coaching isn’t about healing. It’s all about designing, developing, and executing….all on behalf of a more desirable future.

7. Coaching isn’t painful. For the most part that is. For some people, change is painful. A good coach can help change your mindset around change rather quickly. Growth and progress can actually be rapid and very enjoyable; of course, you have to try it to understand that.

8. Coaching is not a path to healing. Coaching is about stretching further than you have before, taking off your blinders, and breaking down limiting beliefs and barriers. Coaching is empowering.

I hope I’ve given you a clear idea of what I believe coaching isn’t. As you can see, I don’t believe its therapy (at least not the kind you would get from a licensed counselor or at your doctor’s office). While new clients start out with a mix of excitement and nervousness, there is no “white coat fever” to worry about.

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Article Tags: business, business life, coach, coaching, economy, education, leadership, life coaching, longterm commitment, success



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Re: need pricing help please - here's my opinion that was derived from the person I heard it from (Russell Brunson) I view internet Marketing products as a Ladder. At the bottom of the Ladder is ebooks and at the top is One on One Coaching. so the ladder would look like this starting from the Top ($$$) to Bottom($) One-to-One Coaching ($$$$$$) Workshops ($$$$$) Teleseminars ($$$$) Video($$$) Audio ($$) ebooks ($) I agree with this methodology mainly because of the convenience factor and value from the customers point of view.
Re: need pricing help please - [quote="jvprosperity":t4htv1h6]here's my opinion that was derived from the person I heard it from (Russell Brunson) I view internet Marketing products as a Ladder. At the bottom of the Ladder is ebooks and at the top is One on One Coaching. so the ladder would look like this starting from the Top ($$$) to Bottom($) One-to-One Coaching ($$$$$$) Workshops ($$$$$) Teleseminars ($$$$) Video($$$) Audio ($$) ebooks ($) I agree with this methodology mainly because of the convenience factor and value from the customers point of view.[/quote:t4htv1h6] I also agree with this methodology, but sometimes some ebooks sell more in 2 digits. My 26 pages report sell for $9.77
Re: Business Women Peer Mentoring Spotlight - That is a great idea, David. This is what I had in mind for the Women's section, but it makes sense to post in on the main site. Of course, I'm waiting for some women to step up to the plate and share how they could use some support on taking the next step with their business! If you are a Business Woman reading this, I invite you to consider that this is not displaying weakness in any form. Peer mentoring and Coaching is incredibly valuable. You get to bounce your ideas off others, hear perspectives from outside your own box, and feel the power of others cheering you on. To me, it's wisdom to use all of our available resources to move towards business success. That's why I have my own Coach and my own Mentor Coaching Group. I also offer that to my clients. These are services one usually has to pay for and you could enjoy some of it free right here! So who wants to start? Can you tell I'm excited about the possibilities for you even before you begin? Warmly, Tami
Re: Business Women Peer Mentoring Spotlight - Hi Everyone, Gosh, I REALLY appreciate your concrete feedback. This was far more than I expected and I'm glad you said what you thought straight out. Each of you have shared something of value and I want to take some more time to think and really go over what each of you have said. However, I can see there are some things I need to change right away. What an interesting point about a NEW program perhaps making people think they are guinea pigs! This is NOT what I want to convey! It's funny how we can see some things so clearly in others while not always seeing it for ourselves! I must admit there are a few things I've been meaning to change (like my bio which is very outdated). Obviously, these things need to be higher on my priority list. You caught me like the plumber who puts his clients first and doesn't get around to fixing his own tap! As far as my target market, I do feel quite strongly about working with Women Leaders and doing Leadership Coaching with them. It's non-negotiable in my books. In my Executive Coaching training, the terms "Leaders" and "Executives" are interchangable. To me, an Executive is a Leader and so is the Business Woman or Entrepreneur who is CEO of her own business. I love working with decision makers! What I did learn is that I need to avoid opening up the Leadership term beyond what I described above. I'm also wondering if there is a misunderstanding with the general public as to what Leadership Coaching really is. Leadership Coaching is all about developing your leadership skills, both as a people manager and in more effectively running and growing the business. There is ALWAYS room for growth in some way. As well, sometimes, we just need a sounding board to clarify what our next BEST step is. In fact, if a woman thinks she has nothing to work on, then we aren't a good Client/Coach fit anyway. How can she grow if she doesn't see the value of expressing ALL of the great ability within her? How can her company grow if she doesn't see the value of strategic planning for the next best level? Thanks again to you all! I will go back to my website and really question whether I am conveying the right message. I got more than I bargained for in this Spotlight... you generously offered way more than I was asking. I think we could be on to something great for the Forum. Now it's time to let someone else have the spotlight. It would be great if everyone took a turn! In gratitude, Tami
What are you doing to grow your business Ladies? - Hi Ladies, I thought it might be great for us women to share what we are doing lately to develop our business(es). I have now signed a lease on a new commercial space where my husband and I plan to open a Sport's Consignment and Cappuccino Bar. We're an active tourist destination and we also want to give back to our local community by offering discounted quality equipment. I'm doing lots of research and planning right now. For my Coaching Business, I have signed up for a new coaching mentorship program by one of USA's top Executive Coach trainers, Drayton Boylston. He's sure to challenge me, offer continued professional development and keep me on track as I grow my Coaching business. I'm quite excited about the opportunity since you have to be invited to even participate in this group. What are you doing lately or what are you planning in order to develop your business? I'm hoping we can all encourage each other to keep our businesses growing. Warm regards, Tami


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