Picking a Life Coach

Coaching comes in all forms. Personal Coach, Business Coach, Mentor, Friend and oh yes sports coach. The Internet and television are full of marketers parading as coaches claiming they can change your life in 30 days and for only $ 149.95. In some cases their claims are true but success comes to the truly committed to change themselves. Watching the TV late at night because you can't sleep and there before your very eyes is the solution. You purchase the package. A decision most later regret. The one thing you need to remember that the people who are selling you their programs are huge marketing machines. Yes they want you to succeed but they also know that over 95 percent of the programs they sell will be collecting dust in a matter of weeks. It’s all about the money.

There are two main reasons we don’t achieve our goals. Fear of failure and procrastination are usually the culprits. Coaches help us to keep on track. So the question remains. Can I accomplish this on my own through books, or by purchasing a transform your life program from TV or the Internet? The answer to this is yes. My experience tells me that you need to determine the sense of urgency to achieve the goal. Will I stick with it?

Well in my opinion hiring a coach will increase the probability for your success. Yes it’s the most expensive way to achieve your goals. Like the old saying "you get what you pay for". A good coach will ask why you have chosen this goal or objective and then your coach becomes an important part of helping you achieve them. Much of the reason for success is accountability. Once you have made the commitment on paper or verbally to your coach you are more likely to succeed. We hate to tell the person we made the commitment to that we did not do it. Excuses are really part of an underlying problem that leads to procrastination. A good coach should be able to determine that issue or problem and help you move forward.

I have hired a few coaches over the years. In all instances I have been very happy with the results. A good coach can get you where you want or need to be faster than a self help book or Internet program. Your level of success is greatly increased by hiring a coach. Before you hire a coach it is strongly recommended you do your homework. Get referrals. Pick the coach that fits the need. A talented Coach whose specialty is corporate strategies may not be the coach to help you deal with the fear of rejection or low self esteem.

In today's world there seems to be a life or business coach on every corner. This makes the task of finding the right coach difficult. Remember, a strong referral, credibility, length of time in the business and the area of expertise tied closest to your goal are the most important factors in choosing a coach.

How Do You Measure Success ?

Success can be measured in many ways. Sports, relationships, personal achievements and of course the one most consider. Financial success. All humans have different motivators. We drive toward things that make us feel good. Many studies have indicated that money can be as low as 3rd or 4th on the priorities of a good job. Accomplishments, personal satisfaction of being the best you can be, as well as an opportunity for advancement are commonly placed ahead of money when it comes to your job.

So why should I write about success. For many years my life was motivated toward financial success. I chased it for many years. I personally have owned three companies. I lost one to bankruptcy. I folded one of them before it got ugly and I sold one. I have held several senior management roles including an international corporation and a multimillion-dollar not for profit. I have been fired from a senior level executive position and I had been out of work for as long as six months on a couple of occasions. During many of those months I have purchased Internet business opportunities. Many books and self help programs. I want to share some of these experiences through my writing and hope that my readers will find out what truly makes them happy.

Success has come to me in many ways. One of the great joys in my life is being a volunteer having served on the front lines and acted as Chair or President for many organizations. The most gratifying of my successes did not come from making money. As a result of these activities money found a way to me. If money is your motivator you want to explore some of what I have learned, I have meet many financially successful people on the Internet. Many of my life friends are millionaires and I enjoy their company because most of them have an interesting story. Over the coming weeks and months we will explore finding a life or business coach. Finding a mentor. We will review motivational books and CD programs. We will take an in depth look at personality types and locate some wonderful questionnaires that could help you understand your personality and tendencies. The Internet has a wealth of information and opportunities. Finding the juicy stuff is where the challenge comes in.