SelfhelpMagazine

by John E. Glass, Ph.D.

Question

Why hire a coach?

Answer

People hire a coach for many different reasons. For some it is to assist them in starting or growing a business, for others it is to accelerate their personal development or to help them through a life transition such as a career change or a divorce. The common thread among all people who hire a coach is that they want to get results. They want to see and experience tangible progress toward important life goals.

Hiring a personal or professional coach for assistance with career advancement, accelerated personal development, or a life transition is no different than an athlete who hires a coach to help him or her train in a sport ­ the objective is to increase the likelihood of meeting particular goals. A coach will help a client stay focused on what is important, will challenge him or her to do more than he or she might think is possible, and will make consistent big requests of the client ­ in short, a coach will support, encourage, and coach the client to achieve the goals that are most important to him or her.

Is it possible to achieve important life goals without the help of a coach? Of course it is. Having a coach just makes it easier. To really achieve a dream requires effort ­ it means consistently staying focused and frequently moving out of your comfort zone. Both of these essential tasks are difficult and having someone like a coach to support and reassure you through the process oftentimes is the difference between success and failure.

You have probably already been coached by someone in the course of your life. Coaches take on many forms ­ parents, teachers, supervisors, friends, ministers ­ and what they most likely have in common is that they touched you in a transformational way. It may not have been readily apparent when it occurred and it may not have been immediately profound, but it made a difference. A professional coach is someone whose sole task is to make a difference in your life ­ he or she will assist you in identifying, envisioning, planning for, and taking action toward your important life goals on a regular basis.

About the Author:

John E. Glass, Ph.D. is a sociological practitioner with over 11 yearsexperience as a consultant, educator, counselor, educator, and researcher.He is on the Board of the American Academy of Sociological Practitioners, on the faculty of the Institute for Integral Development, a member of the Sociological Practice Association, and a member of the International Coach Federation.

Behavioral Dynamics Consulting, "Stay Whole, Feed Your Soul", 3520 Cedar Springs Avenue, Suite B, Dallas, Texas 75219, Voice: 214.526.8676 Fax: 214.526.0500