Do You Have What It Takes?Written by David Wood
Do You Have What It Takes? Body of Article Every one has something to offer. A target market of people who are one step behind or one step ahead of you, is always around. But new coaches ask me - do I have what it takes to build a successful business? Here are 7 assets which are definitely an advantage in pursuing coaching as a career: 1. Experience Are you 15, or 40? Have you truly lived? Have you failed and learned? Or triumphed over adversity? 2. Training Have you been specifically trained in coaching, or a related field? 3. Confidence This grows as you coach, and realise there is no right or wrong. But some people have a knowing that everything will work out way it's supposed to. 4. People Network Knowing 50 people is better than knowing 10 when you want to get clients. 5. Existing Client Base If you have an existing base, as do financial planners, fitness trainers, therapists, trainers, and consultants...building your practice will happen faster. 6. Commitment Is this just something to pass time for you, or are you truly committed to making a difference on this planet? 7. Having a Mentor Coach Beginning a coaching practice on your own is a much longer, slower route.
| | Experiences of a New CoachWritten by David Wood
Experiences of a New Coach Body of Article The following interview is with Estelle Gibbons, of Western Australia, who had been coaching for approximately eight months at time of this interview, and worked with me for first three. How did you get started as a life coach? I had always had an interest in this field, but had no idea how to channel my energy. Then one day I happened across "Life Coaching" on www, scanned a few web sites, and whilst reading David's site, something clicked. A week later, I took a free Introductory Session for CoachStart™ Program, and haven't looked back since! When did you start with clients? Within one month of starting with CoachStart Program. What does your typical day look like? A typical day starts with a dawn run along beach with my dog. After that fantastic start, I check my email, catch up with any correspondence, and then rest of my morning is spent doing "brain work" (I think better in mornings!) It is during this time that I am most creative, so I work on developing programs and exercises to suit particular clients, as well as potential clients. Mostly I coach in afternoons and early evenings - Thursdays and Fridays. That leaves rest of week free - I still do some work in my "old" profession, although now it's because I want to, not because I need to...the ideal way to work!!! What does your practice look like? Clients? Revenue? At moment, I am working with 14 clients - although several weeks ago, I peaked at 17. As well as working with individual clients, I have extended into working with large businesses to improve staff morale and have developed an agreement with a local health club, to help their clients achieve their goals. This particular arrangement is proving to be an almost unlimited referral source - and to date, all parties are simply having a ball! At moment, I charge $200 + GST for a month of coaching, although this fee is negotiable (either way!) Thus I'm currently earning about $3,000 per month in revenue, working 2 to 3 days per week. What do you enjoy most about coaching? I LOVE feeling when a client makes a breakthrough and they can't wait to share it with you. At end of those sessions, in particular, I get off phone, and jump around and yell very loudly (I'm just a tad more restrained on phone). How many jobs can you do when you are a vehicle for good things, to extent that you are in this one??? It's times like this that I realise just how utterly blessed I am to be walking this path. Do you have a specialty area? Because of my relative "newness" to profession, I have not yet focused on a particular specialty. At moment, I feel like I am growing in all directions, and it would be detrimental to focus on one particular area. However, with time and experience, I'm sure I'll fall into a particular niche. Who knows what future holds? What has been your experience of CoachStart™ Program? The CoachStart Program has turned my world upside down...and given it a shake for good measure! The program/David not only allowed me to get my coaching business up and running, but it also led me to a whole new level in my personal life. The skills that I have learned are skills for life - I think I'll be rereading my journal from that time in 40 years and saying "Ooh yes, that's what I need to change in this situation..."
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