When is the Right Time to Hire a Coach?

I recently read a fantastic blog post. The author, Jamie Varon, argues that we need to stop thinking that the time to be inspired and motivated is NOW. Sometimes life is a matter of timing and waiting for the right opening to come. I couldn't agree more.

Some might argue that this philosophy is counterproductive to building a successful coaching practice. A coach wants everyone to sign up today, right? To get on board as soon as possible with making life changes and finding purpose? I disagree. I think that a good coach understands that coaching only works if the coach and client are a good fit, and if the client is ready to be coached.

I view coaching as a partnership between a coach and client on a journey toward transformation.

What does it mean to be ready for coaching?

Know your destination.

In order to transform, you need to know where you are going. A client who has no idea where they are headed may not be ready. A journey with no destination can be frustrating, slow, and disappointing. A coach can help draw out the goal or destination, but you need to have a basic understanding of where you want to go. Otherwise you are looking for a guru, not a coach.

Be prepared to put in the time and effort.

In order to transform, you need to be ready to do hard work. Working with a coach is not simply a series of conversations allowing you to vent. It's a process of setting goals, taking actions, finding accountability, and moving forward. This process takes time. It takes courage and a willingness to go places that feel new and strange. At times it can bring out unexpected vulnerabilities and emotions. This is the hard work that leads to the big payoff.

Be open and curious.

In order to make a transformation, you need to be open to possibility. A coach helps you to see yourself with new eyes. You need to be open to letting go of assumptions and judgements and asking yourself a lot of "what if?" and "why?" questions. A coach can take you to places inside you that you didn't know existed. Embrace self discovery.

Believe that you are capable of change.

You have to believe that you are capable of change. You have to believe that you are capable of true transformation. A coach can push you to bring out your best, support you, and cheer you on as you progress, but he/she can not make you believe in yourself if you don't.

So take your time. Embrace the present, the dark periods, the slow phases of life. Observe who you are in each phase of life. Study yourself and truly get to know who you are. When you know who you are, and you know where you need to go, and you're ready to do the work to get to the destination of your choice... call a coach and get ready for an amazing journey.