Success In Coaching: 2014

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Three Questions You Must Ask Before Setting Your Business Goals for 2015

"New Year's Day. A fresh start. A new chapter in life waiting to be written. New questions to be asked, embraced, and loved. Answers to be discovered and then lived in this transformative year of delight and self-discovery. Today carve out a quiet interlude for yourself in which to dream, pen in hand. Only dreams give birth to change."

- Sarah Ban Breathnach

American Author

Here we are at the entrance to a new year. For many success-minded people, this time is waited for almost as much as Christmas. The New Year is full of promise, hope and determination. Our goals are set and we are ready to dive into the year will all that is in us. Just as we were last year, and the year before that, and the year before that. So what will make this year different? Will the energy and determination die out a few months in as it did years before?

I know for many who are in coaching and desire to build their own practice, there is much hope and excitement that 2015 just may be the year for you. I do not want to bring you down from this wonderful dream, but I must tell you as your friend and fellow coach, that will not happen unless one key change happens, that change is you.

If you have not discovered by now, developing a coaching practice, especially one that can support you, is not easy. In fact, it will seem impossible. Which is okay, since all goals should be impossible. The trick is to not only see the impossible as possible but to make it so. That will take hard work, determination and the ability to answer three questions. These three questions will make the difference between success and failure.

Here is what I want you to do. Use this blog as an exercise to bring you to the New Year ready to achieve and not just ready to try. Get a pen and some paper (or sit at your computer if you wish). As I ask and explain these three questions, I want you to take some time to think deeply about them and write your answers down. These answers will be the foundation which you will build your future on.

First Question: What Do I Want to Do?

If your answer to this is "be a coach, be a life coach or be a Christian coach" you are off the mark. Yes, coaching is what you want to do, but what does it mean? A coach, a good coach any way, does not coach anybody about anything. You must know who you want to coach, and what you want to coach them in.

The first thing you need to understand about yourself is what you are good at. Where is your strengths? How can you use your strengths to help others achieve their dreams? Do not think that because you have a certification in Life Coaching that you are ready to be a coach. I have talked with many coaches who, when taking the time to decide what they want to do, discover they really do not want to be a coach at all.

Write out in detail what coaching looks like to you. What is it you plan to do? Who are the people you will be able to add value to and who are the people you will need to help find another coach other than you? The more clearly you can define what you want the more likely you will be to achieve it.

Second Question: Why Do You Want to Do it?

This is one of the most important questions you can answer. The answer to this question will either open the door to your success or send you in another direction. Again, answers like, "I want to help people, I want to serve God or it is what I was created to do" are not answers. In fact, many of these are excuses for doing things not the reason for doing them; and as Benjamin Franklin said, "He who is good at making excuses is good at very little else."

In my coaching, I coach coaches more than anyone else. The most common thing I am asked is, "How do I build my business?" My answer is always, "why do you want to build your business?" You see, if you have a strong enough why, the how will naturally follow. If you have a burning passion to fulfill your calling and know why you have that passion, nothing will stop you. Likewise, if you have all the "how-to's" for building a coaching practice and detailed instructions that take you step by step, but do not have a strong reason why you are doing it, no amount of help in the world will bring you success.

Spend some time in answering this question. Take time first to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to show you your own heart. Decide what this means to you. What is it that you will achieve by becoming a coach for others? What if you didn't do this, what would you do? Do not rush this, it is far too important to pass by.

Third Question: What Will I be Willing to Pay for This?

That is correct, I said, pay for it. "But I thought others will pay me not I be the one paying." Here is a fact that we all must face: Nothing is for free. If you want to achieve a successful coaching practice it will cost you and it ain't cheap.

Here are a few things that you need to honestly ask yourself before you start building a business - any business.

Ø Will I invest the time? Where people get the idea that if they work for themselves they will have lots of time to do what they want and work when and as they wish, I do not know. Ask anyone who has build their own business and you will find they work longer hours and get less money for it than they ever did working for someone else. No vacations, no holidays and no days off. The great thing about being self employed is that if you do not work, you do not get paid.
Ø Will I invest the energy? I can make this promise to you and feel fully confident that it will be true: If you are going to be successful you will need to work harder than you have ever worked before. Nothing can succeed without hard work. I once talked with a young coach who was very unhappy in his coaching practice. He had few clients and earned nowhere near enough to leave his regular full time job. I asked him what about this surprised him and he answered, "I never imagined it would be this much work." That has been the downfall of many coaches and other business people. They never expected it to be as much work as it is and in the end, they are not willing to pay that price.
Ø Will I sacrifice the now for the later? Are you willing to put some of your life on hold so you can put the time and energy into you business now in hopes to have a life later? This decision cannot be made on your own if you have a family to deal with. Your spouse and children must also be willing for you to make this sacrifice since it is their sacrifice too. Paying the price to build a business involves far more than just you and what it means to you. If your family is not in support with you and willing to work with you to make this dream come true, then something has to go. By-the-way, that something is never the family.

The New Year is not just a time for setting goals and starting afresh, it is also a time to evaluate those goals and to be sure you are going after the right ones at the right time. Going into a coaching practice is a wonderful thing and can be extremely rewarding on many levels. It can also be a real nightmare if you are not prepared or do not know where you are going. There are those who can help you to sort this out and to discover if coaching is right for you. Never bypass the help of others just to say you did it on your own. Success in any area of life is always a group effort. As Dr. John C. Maxwell said, "Remember that with the exception of one, the world is made up of other people."

John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, and Life Coach. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our website at http://www.growthcenter.net or www.johnpatrickhickey.com. © 2014 John Patrick Hickey

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Time to Get Up

"Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep;

for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed."

- Romans 13:11 / NASV

Have you ever thought, "How long is this going to take?" This could be on your journey to achievement, classes you are taking, waiting for something special to happen or even our hope in the Lord's return. There are times when we seem to be working and waiting so long that it feels like nothing will ever happen. This is not an uncommon experience. In fact, we all face it throughout life.

Here is the thing to remember that will give you hope and rekindle the fires of excitement. You are closer to your answer, your achievement; the completion of your project than ever before. Each day that passes brings you closer to the end you seek.

None of us can see the future. We do not know if the end results are tomorrow, next week, next year or later this afternoon. But we do know this, each day, each hour, each minute brings us a bit closer than we were before. Keep this fact in mind: we can do anything on a temporary bases. Therefore, you can make it just one more day. The end is always in sight so never lose heart. You may not know if your answer will come tomorrow, but you also do not know that it will not.

Always remember that you matter to the world. God placed you here to make a difference and that difference is good. You possess the qualities of a real success-minded person, which are to: Be your best. Love God. Have good manners. Discover the unknown. Change the world.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Keeping On the Path

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

- Proverbs 3:5-6 / NASV

Let's face it, we live in a difficult time. I know that all times have been difficult, however, the ability for us to stray is so easy and convenient now. This is not just a problem your clients face, you face it too. It is easy to point out sin when it is right there in full view. No one questions the wrong in adultery, embezzlement, stealing or assault. However, it is not so with things like telling "white" lies, taking supplies from work because they can afford it, not disclosing things on your taxes or misleading and misrepresenting yourself or your business to others. It is the little sins that in the end will do us in.

One of the reasons that it is so important to stay close to the Lord and to daily study His word is not so we fulfill some duty, but to keep us on the right path. When we seek the Lord in our daily life we start to become aware of the little compromises that we all face all the time. We are more careful not to allow the small things to get us so that the big things are not an issue.

Here is the good news about staying close to the Lord. It does not show you what you cannot do, it shows you what you can do. The Lord guides us in the paths of righteousness and shows us the way to follow Him in all things. He does not have to come behind us and say, "Don't do this" or "Don't do that". Always remember that following Christ is never about what you do not do. Not giving into sin is not a restriction it is a protection. Jesus gives new life, freedom and the power to live to the fullest every day without regrets.

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

That is Disgusting

"A righteous man hates falsehood, but a wicked man acts disgustingly and shamefully."

- Proverbs 13:5 / NASV

To tell you that we live in an upside-down, confused and perverted world would insult your intelligence. You know that without someone telling you. It does not take a theologian to see that we have wondered so far from God that at times it almost looks hopeless. Thankfully it isn't. How do I know that all is not lost? Because you, me and thousands of others are bothered by this condition. As long as there are people who still see right from wrong; good from evil, we have hope that God is not done yet.

One of the pressures we are placed under in the culture today is that we are to accept everyone and everything. We may not agree with it but, "who are we to judge?" That is a lie from hell. We are to judge. We must judge right from wrong; good from evil. We are here to judge what is in alignment with God's standard set forth in the Bible and what is not. We are not to judge the soul of another person - that is only for God to do - but we are to judge behavior and its effect on the world around us.

It takes courage to make a stand for truth, righteousness and integrity. No one likes to stand along, but being a believer in Christ Jesus calls for that sometimes - many times. I have coached and counseled many people who were not Christians. I have never told anyone that their sin was okay, or their business. To do so I would be lying to them and condemning them to damnation. I have a responsibility to be honest and tell someone who is struggling because of sin in their life that the sin is there and how they can overcome that sin.

Never compromise. Never excuse. Never hold back the truth that you know. We all have One to answer to that is greater and more important than a client. Never forget, you know more than just how to help people succeed and follow a good plan. You have the answer to their greatest need - where they will spend eternity.

Thursday, December 11, 2014

"But I am Not Religious."

"For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

- Hebrews 4:12 / NASV

As a life coach, we often coach people who are not believers in Christ. We let others know that we are Christian, but we do not limit ourselves to only Christian clients. Having said this, I must also say that the Bible is the most powerful tool in our tool box. The Word of God gives us the direction, principles and guidance for living a successful life on all levels. So how do you use this tool when the client tells you, "I am not religious so I really don't care about the Bible."

I always let clients know that I base my belief system on the Scriptures. I believe that the Bible gives the truth and is useful, whether you believe in God or not. If someone hires me as a coach, I believe I have a responsibility to give them the best I have and to be fully honest with them. I explain that for me to do that, I must refer to the Bible for direction because not to would be not giving them my best. I have not had a client, who was a non-believer, every reject that and in the end they have seen the wisdom to be found there.

Our commitment to Christ is not our religion. It is who we are. It is our belief system and the foundation for all we know. Do not think that you have to put that on the back burner just because a client does not recognize it. If you are clear right off that you hold to the teachings of Scripture and that you look to God for guidance and direction, your client can make the choice if they wish to engage you or not. Since people look for truth and honesty in a coach, you will find it more welcomed than rejected.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Hunger is a Great Sauce

"For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: 'If a man will not work, he shall not eat.'"

- 1 Thessalonians 3:10 / NASV

There is an old Irish saying that says, "Hunger is a great sauce". This means, when a person is hungry, everything tastes good. There is another side to this as well, when you have plenty you become picky and always want what you do not have. This principle applies to far more than food. You will find that the more people get without working for it, the more they complain about what they do not have. It is a characteristic of human behavior, that which we do not earn has no value to us.

This is why I firmly believe that we should not give our coaching time away for free. I have seen many a coach give their time away to everyone that comes to them. Some may not feel confident in themselves to change a fee for their time. Some have such a desire to help that they are willing to give of their time to do it. Some fall to the very common excuse, "I really need a coach but I can't afford it." Here is the problem: when you give coaching to someone for free, most of the time they have no real value for it.

I am not saying that it is all about money. Money has nothing to do with it. It is about helping people to see the value in coaching and therefore apply what they are told. There are time, in a mentoring situation, when I believe you do help someone for free. This is a different principle I will address at another time. For now, remember that if you have a client who is unwilling to pay for their coaching, you also have a client who is unwilling to follow that coaching.

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Don't Skip The Details

"Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your Master."

- Matthew 25:21 / NASV

If there is one thing that I have seen the most over my many years as a coach, it is that people with dreams, big dreams, always want to do the big thing and not the little things. It is almost like they see the small details of their journey as beneath them and of little importance. The fact is, it is the little details in our lives that bring success, not the big dramatic events. As coach John Wooden said, "It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen."

When you are coaching with someone who has big plans, help them to first see the importance of the details. Things like, writing out a clear and energizing goal on paper so they can read it daily; having a step by step action plan to follow that includes the small things that need to be done; and of course taking daily action to move forward. These things may not be as glamorous or inviting as some big event, but without them the big events will never come to be.

One way you can always tell who will succeed and who will not is by seeing who does the small stuff. Success-minded people know that it is in the small stuff where true success is found and they are always willing to do them. Unsuccessful people see the small stuff as a bother and not worth their time. These people never achieve and always will blame others for their failure.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Get to Work!

"The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work."

- Proverbs 21:25 / NASV

We all have them in our lives. As coaches, we may not have many as clients, but we know them. They are the lazy among us. The reason we seldom have lazy people as clients is that they lack the ambition to set goals and seek a coach. Laziness however is not to be taken lightly. The simple problem of sitting around and expecting others to care for you will in the end lead to destruction.

The Message Bible is a great tool for getting a plain and simple writing of Scripture. Here is how it puts Proverbs 21:25, "Lazy people finally die of hunger because they won't get up and go to work." So many people who live in want and emptiness could have full and exciting lives if only they got up and did something. I know that sounds like a simplistic answer but it really is that simple.

Remember, we do not help those people by ignoring them or even by giving to their needs. Yes, we call it compassion but what we are doing is enabling. If you know someone who is lazy, do something truly loving for them, confront them. Help them see that they are the answer to their problem. Encourage them to dream; then to go after that dream. Remind them that God created them for a purpose, a great purpose and it can all be theirs if they only get up and go to work.

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Be Who You Think You Are

"For as he thinks within himself, so he is."

- Proverbs 23:7 / NASV

We have all had them in our lives. People who are full of defeat and gloom. You know the ones, they will tell you that nothing ever works out for them, they are losers and every time they try they fail. Here is the truth about them - they are right. People who believe that nothing works for them tend to have nothing work for them. People who believe they can never win in life will never win in life. That is just the reality of it.

As a coach, we want to support and help these people, so we tell them, "That's not true. You can make it, you can win." This may shock some but I really do believe that we help on one by lying to them. I believe it is better to tell the truth and say, 'You're right. You are a loser and things don't work for you." First you may shock the back to the real world, then you can tell them how to fix it. Oh yes, you can fix it.

Be honest with your clients and friends and tell them that if they believe they will always lose they will. However, if they choose to believe they can succeed, that they have great value and they were created for a real purpose, they will be the best they can be. We are what we believe we are. If you do not like who you are, believe you can be someone else.

I know this answer sounds simplistic, but it is a fact and a biblical fact at that. My recommendation to these people are to study the word of God and see what He says about them. Read from Romans to Jude and mark down all the passages that tell us who a believe is and how they are to behave. Soon you find that there is a completely diffident view point and the down and gloomy soon start to behave as the strong and victorious people God made them to be.

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Negative Thoughts Don't Add - They Multiply

"When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul."

- Psalm 94:19 / NASV

I read a blog the other day that talked about worry. The blogger said that when you allow worry into your life it will add onto itself. One worry will become two and two will soon be three and so on. Where I can see where he was going with this I would take it a bit farther. Worry, or negative thinking, really does not add up, it multiplies. What can start as a negative thought will soon be two, then two become four and sixteen and that sixteen become two hundred and fifty-six. Soon, you are full of negativity and that is never a good place to be.

When all our thoughts are negative it is almost impossible to get back to positive ground, however, when we stop the process early it is easy. The trick is to never allow yourself the luxury of negative thinking. I say luxury because at first, a negative thought can feel good. We have all enjoyed the occasional pity party or how hard our life is or that no one understands us. This simple thought can lead to bitterness and anger. The best way to deal with this is simply do not go to the party.

Negative thinking is always under your control. You have the ability to say no and replace the negative thought with a positive one. Rather than dwelling on how hard life is, remember how blessed you are. Think of your goals and how great it will be when you achieve them. Remember the goodness of God. Think on the fact that no matter how undeserving or unfaithful we may have been, He loves us and is there for us - always. If you stop negative thought number one you will never have to deal with thought six thousand, four hundred and twenty-one.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Let Me Encourage You...Today!

"But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called today, so that none

of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."

- Hebrews 3:13 / NASV

Encouragement is more than a pat on the back, a quick, "You can do it" and shove you out the door. Encouragement is knowing that someone believes in you and that they really do believe you can and will achieve your dreams. Encouragement is not always even spoken, it is just known. When we are encouraged we feel strong, confident and able to stand.

So why is it so important that we encourage one another? It is not just to help others succeed. Encouragement gets us through the hard times and helps us to stand strong, even when we want to give up. Discouragement and fatigue can lead to a hardness of our heart and that always leads to sin. When we do not have the support to help us stand in the hard time we give up and then it is too late. The fact is, encouragement is far more than pushing someone to go on, it is life support.

Success-minded people must understand that they are to encourage every person they meet. A positive attitude is the power to keep yourself and others afloat. God did not call us to be self focused and to be sure we stand strong alone. He has called us to help all other stay faithful and strong. Be the light of encouragement to those around you and help others to see that they can make it. God is greater than our sin, problems and the world we live in. That my friend is true encouragement.

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

It's Your Good Name

"A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, favor is better than silver and gold."

- Proverbs 22:1 / NASV

When people hear your name, what do they think? We don't always know what others think of us, and some really do not care, however, we should know and we should care. Maybe ask a friend who you can trust to be fully honest with you. What do people say about you? Are they happy to see you coming or happy to see you going?

There is nothing more important in your striving toward success than to build a good name. Money is not the most important thing, you will have it or lose it. Power and position is not that important. Reality is, the only real power you have is what is given to you and people change positions all the time. The one thing that stays with you always and make the difference between true success and failure is your reputation - your good name.

Part of my personal mission statement reads: "To live a life that shows the reality of Jesus Christ in the life of a believer." We should all strive to be a living example of what it means to be a Christian. We have all seen too many Christians whose lives have not be a real drawing card to a life following the Lord. They can be critical, bad tempered, cheap and unreliable. This is not what others should see from you. Like it or not, you are an example.

Believers should always be dependable, kind, giving, caring and encouraging. Our biggest task is to live in such a way that those around us desire to have what we have so they can live as we live. Employers should be so impressed with their Christian employees that they seek to hire more knowing it is the best for their business. When you walk into a room, people should smile and be glad you are there.

This is a tall order, but nothing less will do when we represent the Lord of lords and the King of kings. It takes hard and consistent work, but in the end you will always agree that there is nothing more desirable or satisfying than a good name.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

I'm Waiting

"For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail.

Though it terries, wait for it, for it will certainly come, it will not delay."

- Habakkuk 2:3 / NASV

I think that the hardest part about fulfilling our calling in God is not the hard work or the obstacles we have to face, it is without a doubt the waiting. We know what God has called us to do; we have done all we can to prepare ourselves for the task ahead; we are ready and willing. However, we seem to be on hold. We seek other things we might have to do to get things going, but all we seem to get is an inner voice that says, "Your call is important to us. Please hold and your call will be taken in the order it was received."

Take heart, God is not putting you on hold because He is busy or there are others before you. You have been prepared not just for a particular work, but also for a particular time. If you know that God has called you to do something, you need never doubt it. Be confident and ready at all times. The thing to remember is that the time is as important as the preparation for the work.

We may be biting at the bit to get going and fulfill our life's work, but God is never in a rush. He had this whole thing planned our long ago and will never waste a moment of your or His time. Keep making yourself ready and become the very best you can be. When the time is right God will open the doors and you will be off. You will then understand that His timing is always perfect.

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Created for Work

"Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it."

- Genesis 2:15 / NASV

God has blessed my wife and I with ten, wonderful grand-children. When we have them all over to the house at one time it is exciting to say the least. My wife has crafts for them to do, we have toys, the yard, and not to mention our two dogs, Jo and Pip, who love having kids to play with. The amazing thing however is that with all the activity going on, if there is a pause in the action one or more will quickly announce, "I'm bored".

There is really a natural explanation for this. Children were created for action. It is unnatural and unhealthy for a child to sit around and do nothing. They need to be active, use their imaginations and have fun. One of my heroes, Mr. Rogers, use to say, "Play is a child's work." That is very true and very profound. Why? Because it tells us that we, as humans, were created to work.

Just as it is unnatural and unhealthy for a child not to play, it is even more unnatural and unhealthy for an adult not to work. You were created to work and without it, you are incomplete and empty. As a life coach you need to recognize this in your clients. If they struggle with depression, feelings of uselessness and no direction, chances are they are not working. A lack of action will always result in a lack of life.

Help your clients to see that work is not a curse or punishment for sin. Work is a gift and it is what every person on the planet was created to do. We may differ on what that work is, but we do not differ on the need to be working.

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Don't Listen to Voices, Listen to the Voice

"The voice of the Lord is powerful, the voice of the Lord is majestic."

- Psalm 29:4 / NASV

Our life is full of voices. From every direction we have people telling us what to do, wear, think, eat and live our lives. Even when you try to tune them out, the voices seem to always be with us. For the success-minded person, these voices seem only to increase as you seek the achievement of your life purpose. You have people telling you what you should and should not do. They tell you what is worth the risk and what you must avoid. In short, you hear from thousands of voices, but only one voice really matters.

The purpose you were born to achieve is one given by God to you. His voice is the only voice that matters and His voice will be to you alone. In the Christian community we have abused and wrongly used the saying, "The Lord told me to tell you." In fact, I believe that when someone comes and tells you they heard from the Lord about your life, run. If God has something to tell you He can tell you and does not have to send someone else.

This does not mean the Lord cannot use others to speak into your life, however it will always confirm what you hear God telling you, not be the first time you heard it. Yes I know, God sent the prophets to tell others what He was doing. He sent them to a rebellious and stubborn people who would not listen to Him. If that is the case with you, your problems are greater than just what to do with your life.

Listen for the voice of God. Believe me, you will not miss it. He will tell you what you are to do and you will find it is all you ever wanted to do. After all, you were created to fulfill His purpose for you. What could be more natural and complete?

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

And the Winner is...YOU!

"You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is

He who is in you than he who is in the world."

- 1 John 4:4 / NASV

Everyone wants to be a winner. Sometimes just to know that we can win is enough to give us the extra push we need to cross the line and win in life. This is not only true for you but also for your clients. People go to a coach because they hope to win and become successful in the quest for their goals. No one goes to a coach with the intention to lose.

One of the key jobs of a life coach is to be an encourager. We are the ones who not only tell others they can win and achieve their goals, but we believe that too. As success-minded people we know that we were all created to win. We understand that as children of God, we have a purpose to fulfill and the God of the universe is there to stand with us and see that we succeed in our mission.

Here is the key to making this work: you have to believe it and act on it. Remember the words of Zig Ziglar who use to say, "You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win." Winning takes work and commitment; it does not happen by chance. Believe, prepare and expect to win and there will not no stopping you or your clients.

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Don't Talk - Get to Work

"In all labor there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty."

- Proverbs 14:23 / NASV

We live in a day when people always feel rushed and overwhelmed with the workloads they face. There are those who cry out for shorter work weeks, more pay, time management classes and less stress. We also live in a time when we are workers (no matter if you are an employee or the owner of the company, you are a worker) waste more time than ever before. According to an article in Forbes Magazine, March 21. 2013 by Susan Adams, titled, How We Waste Time at Work, 43% of the time wasted is from just talking.

Yes there is a lot of time waste surfing the internet or social media, but most of the wasted time is just chatting here and there and not really working. As coaches we think, "Talking is my job, it is what I do." and you are right. However, helping people to achieve their success and common chit chat are two very different thing.

Let us always remember that we as Christians should always be held to a higher standard. This does not mean we are unfriendly, but it does mean we have a job to do and we should do it to the best of our ability. Save the chatting for off hours or break times and when it is time to work, work. Once time is lost, you can never regain it. The conversation can always be restarted later.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

The Best Man/Woman Wins

"Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings;

he will not serve before obscure men."

- Proverbs 22:29 / NASV

I had a man I was coaching who wanted to advance in his career. His desire was to have a better position at his company and get more pay. When I asked him why the company should promote him and pay him more, his answer was, "Because I have been there for so long." I know that seems like a good reason to many, however, it is not. If you want more you have to be worth more.

Here is a reality of the work place, if you only do what you need to do, you will only get paid what you need to be paid. Success-minded people know that they have to develop themselves, not just their jobs to be successful in anything they do. Here are a few things to do to make yourself more valuable to your employer.

Learn all you can

Be a constant student. Know all you can about your company's product or service. What can you learn that others may not know? Know all you can about the company, how does it run and what are the goals.

Bring new ideas

The person who brings the greatest value to a company is not just the one with something new to do but the one who can make things better. What do you do in your personal job that you can develop and make better, more efficient and more productive? Start with you and soon you will be leading others.

Be a positive force

As someone who has been an employer and manager, I can tell you the last thing your leaders need is someone telling them what is wrong. Be the person who sees what is right and how to improve on the what is already good. The key is how you, as a success-minded person, sees things. Rather than saying, "We need to correct this" you can say, "Here is how to improve this". Slight change in words but big change in thinking.