A little background on Coaching.  There are a lot of people out there doing what they call coaching, but true coaching is done in a very unique way, by a certified professional, or someone working toward that end.  Coaching is an extraordinary relationship where two people work together in an ongoing, supportive relationship that brings out the best in the client.  Coaching moves the client forward on their agenda.  A coach is a partner who is committed to your success, whatever rendition of success you choose.

Through personal coaching you develop tools and strategies that support you to make decisions, maintain a balance, stop procrastination, and determine priorities.  Coaching “draws out”, rather than “puts in”, the primary premise being that you are the ‘expert’ on your life.  Coaching helps you to re-invent your life in a way that is aligned with your values and inner truth of who you really are and what you really want in this life.

It’s different than traditional therapy, as therapy helps take people from dysfunctional to functional…Coaching takes people from functional to exceptional.  Therapy tends to focus on healing wounds from the past, while the focus of Coaching is on creating your future.

Mentors are valuable, but are a bit different too. They may have a tendency to share with you how they have done things, implying that you may want to follow the same methods.  Advice is frequently given, filled with “shoulds” and “should not’s”.

I’ve worked as a consultant, and have realized that one typically hires a consultant for their subject-matter expertise.  To apply their knowledge, and solve problems for you.  Coaching is a process of listening and asking the right questions, so that you arrive at answers with which you are comfortable.