Coaching: Give Yourself the Advantage

Coaching isn’t for under-performers, although coaching certainly wouldn’t hurt. Coaching is for those that are eager to maximize their performance personally and/or professionally. Those willing to do the work necessary to excel at life and work.

Athletes that participate in the Olympics are among the most talented in the world. They are determined to perform in a way that will earn them the gold. It’s expected that Olympic competitors will work with a coach. In fact, you would probably be more surprised by the athletes that chose to compete without coach.

Mathew Barlow, a postdoctoral researcher in sport psychology at Bangor University in Wales was commissioned by the UK Sport to study what contributed to the success of multiple medal winners. Initially they identified 43 variables that consistently foretold the probability of someone becoming a super-elite athlete.

One of the 43 variables was the coach-athlete relationship. The UK Sport decided to fund a second study to explore that relationship in greater depth. The study revealed that the athletes that were not only supported technically, but also holistically, were the most successful.  The athletes that had a coach that was involved in their personal life, demonstrated an unwavering belief in their abilities, and provided positive feedback, definitely had the edge!

When the relationship between an athlete and a coach is strong and there is trust between them, it’s much easier for an athlete to receive difficult feedback and challenges from his or her coach.

Other Areas of Coaching

There are many other areas of life where coaching is readily accepted as not only the norm, but also the way to go! My husband and I are music buffs and appreciate the skill required to dance. We regularly watch shows like American Idol, The Voice, So You Think You Can Dance, and World of Dance. Each of these shows provides “coaches” along the way to help the contestants take their skills to the next level.

As one who can’t carry a tune and has coordination issues, I greatly admire the talent of those participating in such shows. I’ve never once questioned why they would need to work with a coach. I understand that they are hungry to win and eagerly welcome the input they are given that will make that possible.

Coaching Personally & Professionally

However, so often when it comes to coaching to excel personally and/or professionally, folks have a radically different perspective on coaching. I’ve worked with folks who felt that being asked to participate in coaching by their employers was punishment; that it was for under-performers. Trust me, if they felt you weren’t up to the task, they would just get rid of you or demote you. They would not invest in you!

Coaching is for those who are eager to maximize their performance in life and work, just like an athlete, dancer, or vocalist. It’s a privilege – a perk that your employer believes in you enough to give you an edge. A gift you give yourself because you know you are worth it!

It’s a fantastic way to radically increase your potential, gain more confidence, and reach your goals faster. And don’t underestimate the amazing advantages coaching provides by…

1. Creating Space To Process & Think

In spite of all the many advances in technology, life keeps moving at an increasingly brisk pace. On top of that, life is brimming with activity, not to mention changing daily. With so much coming at you all the time, it’s tough to make time to process it all. In fact, slowing down and thinking is a foreign concept for many. Yet to excel in life and work you must be able to step back, take in what’s happening, and make intentional decisions on how to proceed. Coaching creates a space for you to do just that!

2. Uncovering What You Don’t Know

Perhaps the biggest obstacle to getting where you want to be is your own thinking. You have blind spots and limiting beliefs and don’t even know it. They are so engrained in your thinking you don’t question them or notice how they are at work. A coach brings these  ways of thinking to light so that you see them and choose to new ways of thinking that will serve you better.

Outrageous expectations, fear, lack of clarity, and limited self-awareness can all compromise your ability to operate at your best. Working with a coach uncovers these barriers to your success – those beliefs that you didn’t even know are working against you!

3. Encouraging You To Address Stress

Like the athletic coach described above, a coach is not just focused on you winning or achieving your goals, they take into consideration all the various factors that are at work in your life. You are not a compartmentalized creature. What’s stressing you at home impacts your work and the stress at work impacts your personal life.

To help you succeed, a coach will take a holistic approach. They will urge you to take a look at all aspects of your life so that you can optimize your performance without sacrificing your health habits, peace, and joy.

4. Expanding Your Capacity to Perform

You might feel like you’ve done pretty well for yourself, and you probably have! In spite of that, there are areas where you can grow that would enable you to perform even better and enjoy life more! There are plenty of folks around you that are actively working with a coach and growing. Don’t get left in the dust!

What areas of growth would be advantageous to you? Learning to delegate, managing your time better, communicating more effectively, stop procrastinating, or attempting to be perfect, or just being more confident? Are you prone to distraction? Find it difficult to prioritize?

5. Speeding Up Reaching Your Goals

No matter what your goals are, working with a coach is empowering and speeds up the process to getting the results you are after. Coaching doesn’t just empower the Olympic athlete!

6. Helping You Work More Efficiently

What if you had a sounding board? Someone who could help you explore the ins and outs of a particular decision or situation that was a neutral party? What if you had someone who could help you make changes that would increase your productivity or someone to work with your employees or team without taking up your time?

Coaching is about helping you get where you want to be; get the results you’re after.

It’s also a practical way to help those under your leadership to break the barriers to success and get positive results. And when those under you are more effective, it’s a great big win for your organization! Who doesn’t want that?

Coaching – is for those who value themselves and the work they do.

Give yourself the advantage! Work with me one-on-one.

How would working with a coach be advantageous to you?