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.