"At times, we all become overwhelmed. An effective coach, however, has to be able
to help people see the end goal, to take one step at a time, rather than being overwhelmed by the issues." – Byron & Catherine Pulsifer

> How does the coaching process work?

> What makes coaching effective?

> What’s expected of me as a client?

> What do I need to do to prepare to be coached?

> How much time each week will I need to devote to the coaching process?

> How can I get the maximum results from coaching?

> How do I know you can help me?

How does the coaching process work?

As your coach, I talk with you (usually by phone) for 30 minutes, three times each month, ideally at the same, predetermined time and day. During these sessions, I listen actively and intently in order to understand your perception of the world and your current place in it. I help you explore where you are today in some aspect of your life or business and, then, help you navigate the course to where you really want to be. I listen and you lead. I encourage you to seek your own answers. With your permission, I help you identify options. My opinion will only be one among many from which you choose the best for your particular circumstances. From time to time, I also propose tools, “homework” and other resources that you may find helpful.

You’re the “expert” in your life – I’m the coach. My responsibility as your coach is to support you in making the changes necessary to bring about success (as you define it) and permanent, long-term growth. Coaching is not “magic,” but the results can seem quite amazing. Whether it’s a simple, small change of behavior or a major, life altering transition, I’m with you each step of the way. I never insist or order you to do anything. However, I encourage you to go beyond your comfort zone in an effort to bring about positive, lasting change.

I never attempt to squeeze you into a “cookie-cutter” coaching model or strategy. I approach each client as an individual with unique values and goals. As your coach, I’m your “accountability partner” and biggest cheerleader. I totally support you in your personal quest, but never judge you. I customize my actions to address your particular needs as I understand them. In short, my objective is to help you discover what you really want in your life and support you in achieving it.

What makes coaching effective?

I believe coaching is effective because it’s an exhilarating, motivating and fun experience. It’s fun to learn how to win – to plan and control your destiny, to achieve things that you’ve never been able to achieve before.
It also works because it’s future oriented and positive. Unlike therapy, we don’t deal with the past or deep emotions or fixing what’s broken. I think of coaching as “synergistic teamwork.” We’ll work together to identify your challenges and goals and develop a “game plan” for you to effectively and efficiently achieve the desired results. As your coach, I’ll make suggestions along the way, and give you feedback based on my knowledge and experience. But it’s up to you to decide what you do (or don’t do) to bring about the changes necessary to achieve your goals. The more you achieve, the more fun you’ll have!

In addition, coaching works because it’s objective and supportive. As your coach, I’ll totally support you and your decisions and actions without judgment – you can’t make a mistake (unless you think you’ve made one). We’ll walk if you want to walk, run if you want to run, and stop if you want to stop. It’s a unique, empowering experience for clients and one of the most powerful aspects of coaching.

What’s expected of me as a client?

As a client, I’ll ask you to commit to several things.

Most importantly, you must be prepared to commit to change. This sounds simple, but it’s not easy. If it was easy, you (and everyone else) would have already done it! If you’re willing to truly commit to make meaningful change in your life, I’ll help you get there! You must be prepared for the highs and lows that come with personal and professional growth. You must also be prepared to face and deal with the details of everyday life that have kept you in your comfort zone and prevented you from making changes in the past. It’s up to you, but if you’re prepared to make the commitment, you can realize unprecedented growth.

You must also commit to put in the time to be successful. No one (especially your coach), can make you do it. In addition to our scheduled half-hour calls, I may ask that you take additional time each week to do some activities as follow-up or preparation. Remember, coaching doesn’t just happen during our weekly phone sessions. Coaching is a synergistic process that requires your continuous, ongoing effort to bring about permanent, lasting change. Committing to invest some extra time each week will help you reach your goals and objectives much faster.

Another commitment you must be prepared to make is honesty in the coaching relationship. As your coach, I understand that it may take some time for you to feel comfortable with me and the coaching process. However, if I ask you a question, I expect an honest reply, even if that response is, "I'm not comfortable discussing that right now." Our relationship must be based on trust and honesty!

Next, you must be prepared to commit to the coaching process itself. You must have faith that it will bring about positive and lasting results for you and your life. If, together we can discover and focus on what it is that you really want to accomplish, “chart the course” to bring about the desired change, and you’re willing to commit to follow through with persistence, your success is inevitable.

What do I need to do to prepare to be coached?

Once you’ve committed to a coaching relationship, I’ll send you materials to review before our first half-hour session. I'll ask you some questions about your coaching preferences, give you some examples of “roadblocks” that may prevent you from achieving your desired results and ask you a few other questions intended to stimulate your thinking and help me get to know you a little better. Remember, our goal is to build a “synergized” working relationship.

In between coaching sessions, you are encouraged to write down questions or comments regarding the process and your jpurney. We’ll address each question on our next call. In addition, I may give you assignments to facilitate the coaching experience and contribute to your progress.

In order to get the most out of our coaching relationship, it’s up to you to be on time and fully prepared if want to gain maximum results in the shortest period of time.

How much time each week will I need to devote
to the coaching process?

That depends on you. Remember, you’re the “expert” in your life. That’s why it’s important to be committed to the process. Coaching calls last for 30 minutes (unless we've made other arrangements). However, in order to get maximum results from the coaching process, you should consider devoting at least another hour or two in addition to each coaching session. You can use this time to complete mutually agreed upon assignments, spend time thinking about your progress and coming up with questions for discussion on our next call. This process will stimulate your thinking, allow you to focus on and rate your progress and help prepare you for your next coaching call.

How can I get the maximum results from coaching?

It’s totally up to you and your commitment. However, there are some things you can do to insure the success of your coaching experience, including:

1. Work hard and be “open-minded.” Coaching is not about the status quo. It's about real, permanent change – going where you’ve never before been, in order to accomplish what you’ve never before accomplished. That’s hard (and very satisfying) work. Coaching is also not a “linear” process. Sometimes it moves at “lightning speed” and, sometimes it seems to stand still. You must be willing to give yourself over and adjust to the ebb and flow.

2. Be honest with your coach and yourself. As your coach, I will not judge you. I want what you want – whatever that is. However, in order to help you, I need to know who and where you are, and what you’re thinking and feeling about yourself, others and the entire coaching process. I will be gently honest with you and expect the same in return.

3. Be open-minded and receptive to new ways of thinking. As the old saying goes, there is always “more than one way to skin a cat.” I will ask you to expand your thinking and consider many possibilities to reach your goals.

4. Be prepared and on-time. It might be hard for you to imagine accomplishing much in a 30 minute phone call. But if we’re both prepared, you’ll be amazed at what we can accomplish. Think about what you have (and have not) accomplished since our last session. Decide what you want to accomplish moving forward and have lots of questions for me and possibilities for you.

5. Do what you have agreed to do. This might be a written exercise or just some creative thinking. Whatever it is, we’ll work together and be in agreement on it. You don’t have to agree to do anything you don’t want to do. However, if you agree to do it, follow through. It’s your surest path to success. Obviously, there may be an occasional emergency or exception. But, consistently failing to do what you have agreed to do may be a reason to call a halt to our relationship.

6. Stay focused on your purpose. It's easy to get “sidetracked” and drift off into old comfort zones that prevent you from reaching your goal. We must both stay focused and aware of the time constraints we’re working under. As your coach, I’ll let you know when I think we're moving in the wrong direction or not making the best use of our time together. I’ll ask your permission to interrupt in order to get us back on track. Please don’t consider this as “pushy” or rude on my part. I’ll simply be acting on your behalf – doing my job as your coach.

7. Respect yourself. Understand that you’re voluntarily participating in a coaching relationship in order to change and improve your life for the better. I won’t judge you – don’t judge yourself. Know that you’re a capable individual and that you’re doing the best you can at all times. Avoid getting down on yourself because you’re not progressing fast enough or far enough based on your original expectations. Don’t get discouraged if you make mistakes – you will. They’re part of your path to winning and success. Remember, you are a work in progress – stay committed to your dreams and the coaching process and you cannot fail.

How do I know you can help me?

I believe in the power of coaching in bringing about lasting change and improvement in people’s lives. And, I believe in my ability to help individuals realize their dreams and goals through the coaching relationship. But, remember, coaching is a synergistic relationship that must be “in sync” in order to be effective. Hopefully we are both sensitive enough to quickly realize if our relationship lacks the compatibility necessary to help you reach your individual goals.

If I don’t believe that I can help you, I’ll do my best to refer you to someone I think may be better suited to your needs. Conversely, if you believe, after working with me for a period of time, that I’m not helping, just let me know. If that’s the case, the best thing I can do for you is refer you to a coach who is more in line with your thinking and your needs. This is your time and your investment. Please, let me know if you’re not getting what you need.