If there’s something you want to work on, I bet there’s a coach who does it.

As existing helping professions have grown and matured over past century, redefining themselves, drawing lines and setting boundaries, there are still huge areas falling through cracks. At same time, our society has been changing so that formerly existing avenues for assistance and guidance have disappeared.

I think of when I first moved to town I live. My former husband joined an established medical practice and we were accepted immediately into that community. All I had to do was pick up phone and call one of spouses when I needed a repairman, doctor, dentist, or sports league for kids. I mean one that was good that I could trust. Trial and error I could accomplish on my own.

The choices were smaller, but it was also word-of-mouth, surest way there is to assure satisfaction. “Word gets around,” as they say. I have myself, from time-to-time said, “You may not like his[her] personality, but I can assure you [s]he will do good work.”

What I did not have, that I missed and was somewhat filled by this occupational community, was a net of extended family with older, more experienced, and available, relatives I could turn to.

In 00s, both of these may be missing from an individual’s life. You may have moved far from family, and to a place where you know few people. You may want advice, guidance, resources or direction in areas that don’t fall within existing services such as law, therapy or accounting.

One example is someone with ADHD. In some cases medication is recommended, and also therapy, but at least one medical association has come out in favor of coaching to fill in what’s missing.

When you read articles about coaching, I’m sure you hear struggles to define field. These will continue as it evolves. Coaching began with two divisions – personal life and business. (Sports coaching having long been in position). It has since split into many different areas. Niches and specialties are being formed that are all to good of public.

If you were seeking advice in a certain area, for instance, you might be looking for someone with certain credentials (academic or coaching or both), or you might want someone with direct experience and success in that area. Now there are choices.

A quick look on a search engine or a coaching site will show you vast variety of coaching specialties. I challenge you next time you have a dilemma you’d like consultation on, to “think coaching.” Looking at Top Tens at www.topten.org can also give you an idea.

Do you believe this is true?

Take example of putting on an event. It’s a good example just because it’s visible and has a beginning and end. Like any project, there are many pieces to coordinate, but in this case result is very public, right there for all attendees to experience and see.

As an event planner, you develop your muscles for tolerating “unmanageable.” You learn what to do when a speaker gets sick at last minute, a piece of equipment fails, caterer is late, or seating chart is defective. Then one day someone asks you to do an outdoor event and you hit wall. The weather cannot be controlled. Ever.

You can look at weather charts, and should. I’m thinking of friend of mine who planned an outdoor party in south Texas July 26th. It is so unlikely it would rain that day, it doesn’t even register on scale, but of course for her it did. That’s why we come up with phrases like, “If you want it to rain, wash your car.” Nothing else could’ve cause it to rain in San Antonio on July 26th except Pat’s elaborate outdoor festival. (It happens.)

I started my event planning as a volunteer doing benefits for charities. The women (there were no men doing this) were all experienced and they weren’t about to let a novice head an important committee without working their way up ranks. Therefore I started at bottom. Too bad apprentice-system doesn’t exist more widely in corporate world. It’s a good one.