Do you know the difference between a dream and a goal?
Jazz great Duke Ellington once said, “a goal is a dream with a finish line.”
That is the difference – a dream stays a dream until you decide to make it a reality. Once you have a clear goal, you can create a plan to take you where you want to be, and make your dream come true.
That’s when the real work of putting your plan into action begins. Fortunately, there are strategies to set yourself up for success.
It is common knowledge that you are much more likely to reach a goal if you write it down. A recent study by psychologist Dr. Gail Matthews proved that to be true. The study also showed that you are more than twice as likely to achieve written goals if you report on your progress toward achieving that goal to a friend.
When you add a coach into the mix, the odds of success are much more in your favor.
Why Have a Coach?
The word “coach” originally meant a carriage that was used to carry people from one place to the next. Later, it was used as a slang term for a tutor who would help carry a student through an exam. You may think of a coach as someone who can help move you from where you are now to your goal in the future.
Ongoing coaching can be like a GPS, providing feedback to let you know if you need to get back on track, if you are on the right path, or if there are some shortcuts to help you get your desired result faster.
A coach can help you in a number of ways. They may simply help you apply what you already know. It often turns out that people have already identified the best way to overcome their obstacles and may just need a bit of encouragement.
A coach can also offer guidance – not necessarily by telling you what to do, but by asking questions that help you to change how you perceive your situation. The right questions can create focus and increase performance.
Selecting a Coach
There is no shortage of people who boast that they can take you to the next level of success. Wading through a list of names can be overwhelming.
When deciding on a coach, it can be tempting to choose someone based on convenience. Rather than just trying to find someone who is nearby or is within your budget, consider your desired outcomes and who is most likely to be able to help. For example, you will want to decide if you want a business coach or a life coach.
An experienced coach will be able to provide references of people or companies they have worked with in the past. You may only want to work with a coach who is an expert in a particular industry. Identifying the criteria that are important to you before you start your search can be extremely helpful.
If a coach is confident in their abilities, they may offer a free trial or a money-back guarantee. Ultimately, though, the decision on who to work with should not only be about money. You will also need to invest your most valuable resource: Time.
Are You Coachable?
The coaching relationship must be based on trust and respect. Opening up to hearing honest feedback from others takes a certain amount of courage. Listening to someone whose opinion differs from your own can be a challenge – but it can also help you become more grounded in reality.
Hearing other perspectives helps you gain a more accurate view of the challenges you face, and helps you see possibilities you didn’t even know existed. Coaching can create the focus and determination you need to make your dreams become reality.
