Have you found “The One?”

There are a lot of decisions to make as a business owner!  Who to purchase from, who to sell to, what email marketing program is best… the list of decisions is longer than this article!  Let’s talk today about coaching.  Do you need coaching?  What type of coaching do you need? And how do you know if you are choosing the right coach?  These are really important questions to ask yourself before stepping into a coaching relationship.

So here is your step by step guide to hiring a coach!

Do I need a coach?

Maybe.  Coaching is about education, accountability, and having someone push you to your next level.  I work with at least one coach a year, sometimes two.  I am at a point in my business where I am looking for pretty specialized coaches to teach me specific skills.  But there are other times where I don’t need a coach to create growth. I need to invest into systems, hiring or marketing.  Here’s how I make that determining decision.  I ask myself the question, “Am I not progressing as quickly as I want because I am lacking in skills or education?”  If the answer is yes, it’s time for a coach.  If the answer is no, it’s time to invest into other areas.

There is a lot of information available for free or low cost.  You can learn almost anything online.  If you’ve been on my webinars, you may recall that I learned how to butcher chickens on Youtube.  It’s truly amazing what you can learn for free. If you are finding that you have a lot of unimplemented information, that is also a sign you need a coach.  Learning and doing are not the same.  It is easy to get into information overload with all of the freemiums and youtube videos you have watched over the years.  A coach can help you map out a plan to implement.

If you are looking for someone to inspire you and motivate you to work, you probably need a power partner not a coach.  I will be honest, it frustrates us as coaches to have to try to talk you into working.  We know you are not getting your money’s worth because we spend all of our time pulling you out of the ditch instead of teaching you our awesome business skills! A power partner is a peer in business.  The two of you can offer each other encouragement and support.

What type of coach do I need?

There are different types of coaches, make sure you are clear on what you are needing.  If you are looking for personal growth and development, you want a life coach or personal mentor.  If you are looking for specific business education, strategies and training, you need a business coach.  I am always careful of people that claim both.  They may do both, but I need to know what side of the fence they are on.  As a coach who has done both life and business coaching, I know that they are not the same.  I also know that coaches have preferences for what they like to do better.  I LOVE doing personal development coaching mixed in with business.  But I would prefer not to work with people who just want a life coach.  If you come across a hybrid coach, make sure you understand what they like better so you know if they are a good fit.  There are also health coaches, finance coaches, relationship coaches and softball coaches.  You wouldn’t want your softball coach working on your business.  And you wouldn’t want your finance coach teaching you to improve your swing.  As coaches, we believe in the transformation that comes through our programs.  We witness the life changing success our clients have.  We see that when they improve in one area, others improve as well.  I love that so many of my clients come out of my program with stronger marriages.  But if someone comes to me wanting to strengthen their marriage, I am going to refer them to another coach.  Don’t buy into 1 solution for everything.  Find what you need to focus on first and find a coach who is great at it.

Why do coaches have a no- cancellation policy?

Most coaches have a 3 day cancellation window.  After that, there are no cancellations or refunds.  The reason for this is that there is a big unknown in every program sold.  You are the unknown!  A health coach cannot guarantee weight loss for someone who eats ice cream every day.  And a business coach cannot guarantee results for someone that doesn’t do their homework.  With any coaching program you will get out what you put in.  If you are concerned about signing an agreement with a no-cancellation policy, ask yourself why?  Are you unsure about the program?  Are you unsure about the coach?  Are you unsure about the commitment of time?  Or are you just nervous to move forward? Your deciding and committing needs to be done before you enroll in the program.  Once you are in, you need to be fully invested to make the most of your investment.

How I do know if this is the right coach for me?

Everyone makes decisions differently.  Some of my clients just feel right about the decision and go with their gut. Others research and review testimonials of past and current clients.  This is an important decision and you should make it as you make all of your important decisions.  If you go with your gut, feel free to make that decision quickly.  If you like to research and get to know people, do that.  All coaches that are serious about their businesses have videos, blogs, events or webinars where you can get to know them for free.  Many coaches have a low cost program where you can experience them for very low risk.  Some people move fast, others take their time.  Both are fine as long as you feel right about your decision!

Are there any red flags I should watch for?

I have been on both ends of the coach relationship.  I have hired many coaches, and have been hired by hundreds of people.  There are a few things you want to pay close attention to.

1. Agreements- If they don’t have agreements in place stating what you are going to get for your investment, you don’t have very much protection.
2. Guarantees that seem too good to be true- If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Every person is different, every business is different and every success story is different.  Make sure that what you are hearing about results is also accompanied by examples of work that you will need to do.  There are no “get rich quick” solutions to business or life.
3. Do you want to do business the way this person does business? I’m not talking about shady illegal deals.  I’m just talking about the general way they do business.  If someone doesn’t want to do business online, they may not like working with me because I love doing business online.  If I see a coach that travels all the time, they may not be for me because I want to be home most of the time. Your coach is not going to expect you to replicate their model exactly.  But by watching what they are doing, it will give you a feel for the types of strategies they are using.
4. Do they have a syllabus, a program, a 15 module sequence or are they just flying by the seat of their pants? I like structure.  I like to know what I am going to learn and what a coach will teach me.  If I don’t see it written down somewhere, I am going to ask questions until I really understand what I will be learning. That is how I make sure I end up in the right program for me.

 How to get the most out of your coaching

1. Show up to everything ready to work. I am always amazed how many people only take advantage of part of what is available in their programs! I’m the kind of girl who likes to get a lot for her money.  So I use as much as I possibly can!
2. When you are overwhelmed, ask for help. My best coaches have all overwhelmed the heck out of me!  They pushed me.  They challenged me.  Being overwhelmed in a program is not a bad thing.  Not communicating with your coach is a bad thing.  Your coach will not be able to give you additional help or adjust the pace if they do not know.
3. Do your homework. Coaching simply will not and cannot work if you do not do your assignments.  Signing up for a program you do not do is like burning money.  Don’t go there!  Just do your homework.
4. If you feel like you are off track in your coaching, communicate it to your coach. If your coach feels like you are off track in your coaching, be open to listening.  I have an awesome client who told me a few months ago that she was feeling like we were off track.  She was worried she would hurt my feelings but I was so grateful!  We were doing a lot of business strategy and she needed to work in more personal development.  I would not have known if she didn’t speak up!

I love coaching.  I love watching my clients grow.  I celebrate their victories sometimes more than my own.  I pray over them when they are struggling.  When you hire a coach, that person becomes a big part of your life!  It is very important to hire the right one!  If I am “The One” for you, I will be so excited to work with you!