How To Get The Most Out Of Coaching
The synergy that occurs as a result of the coaching relationship is what makes the biggest difference. Following are 11 ways to really maximize the value of your coaching work:
- Set an intention for each session. Prior to your session, give thought as to what would make the biggest difference for you and the assistance and inspiration you may need. Generally, sessions that are focused with a specific intention will make you feel more complete and focused. Know that your intention will always get covered; however, the coaching dialogue occurs with whatever “shows up”, helping you stay present with the realities of your life.
- Focus on what you are feeling, not just on what you want to produce. Sometimes, clients feel the need to focus the coaching time on how to produce more tangible or financial results. But intangibles, such as feeling happier, more peaceful and more inspired, are equally important. Think of a flower, and the flower is the result, the seeds are the feeling. Why not enjoy both?
- Be “self-full” and talk about what matters most to you. Talk about anything you want during your coaching sessions: your goals, your life, your needs, what you want to improve. Even stuff that may not appear to be all that ‘useful’ to talk about. Focus on what you need to talk about, not what you feel you ’should’ talk about. This approach will give you the most value from your sessions.
- Become incredibly selfish. Coaching is about you and what you most want. So, go ahead, and put yourself first. Yes, be selfish in the sense that you are what matters most. When you are happy and do well, others will benefit also.
- Be open to seeing things differently. In coaching, you will be working with your goals (the ‘what’) and your strategies to reach these goals (the ‘how’) and all the time be working on you (the ‘who’). Coaching becomes exciting when you re-look at some of your assumptions, ways of thinking, expectations, beliefs and approaches to success. It often is exciting to evolve and arrive at newly developed concepts. No forcing here and just my asking you to consider different approaches and ways of thinking. Try it on for size!
- Sensitize yourself to responding to experiences around you. Feeling out of time. The pace of change continues to increase. Here comes the STRESS and the pressure to keep up and not get behind. Look at this phenomena as a chance to see opportunities as they occur. Sensitize yourself, feel, and respond to events faster. You sensitize yourself by reducing or eliminating alcohol, television, adrenaline, stress and caffeine.
- Feel coached all the 10,000 minutes of your week. There are 10,080 minutes in a 7- day week. Hopefully, what you and your Coach talk about during your coaching sessions will resonate with you during your days and you will integrate between your sessions, what has been discussed. It’s best to fully live your life between coaching sessions and just try life on. Designing life, that’s what it’s all about!
- Get rid of your “psychic sappers.” Coaching works because it focuses you in two areas. First, you get to stretch and take more actions than you would on your own. Secondly, you will be reducing/eliminating things that drain you, such as toleration, stressful situations, difficult relationships and recurring problems. Attract what/who you want purposefully!
- Get more space, not just time, in your life. Coaching needs room in order to work. If you’re too busy, rushed, adrenalined, or burdened, you’ll be using your coaching sessions to push harder instead of smarter. When you begin, consider reducing your roles, install personal management systems, etc. Get simple. Simplification gives space. Space is needed to learn and evolve yourself beyond where you are today.
- Evolve, don’t just develop yourself. When you develop, you learn how to accomplish more with less effort. But when you evolve, you will be thinking differently and expanding yourself and your world. Evolving is a skill worth learning, because life itself is evolving, not just developing.
- Strengthen your personal/business foundation. Use part of your coaching time to design the perfect environment in which to live and work. Where you live and how you live are key to your success. Hang out with people who will cheer your success, not your failure. Be willing to invest time and money in improving your environment so that you feel supported to be your best!
