The Grave Is Not A Storage Container

“Don't go to the grave with life unused.”

– Bobby Bowden

(1929 - ) Football Coach

Think of the term, Life Coach.  What does that say to you?  You are coaching people to live.  You have taken on the responsibility to help people not only find out what their life is all about, but to help them discover how to live it.  Yes, everyone is responsible for their own life and you, as a coach are not there to tell others how to live.  However, you are there to tell them they can live.

                I have always made it my policy, and I make this clear to every client, that I will not tell people what their calling, purpose or dream is.  That is between them and God and no one should make that decision for them - or you.  I will however help them to discover what that is and then help them find a plan to achieve it.  This really does not take a great deal of time since that calling, purpose or dream is already there in them. 

                We all approach this in different ways and there really is no "one right way" when it comes to helping people.  Each person is different and each approach is different.  I keep my coaching to four session.  In that time we can identify where a person is going, how they plan to get there, what they need to do and when and get them moving in the right direction.  I work mostly with business people or other coaches so many already know what they want to do before I meet with them.

                The key to helping others is to get them to take clear and decisive action as quickly as possible.  Help them to see that their life is to be lived now, not on some other day.  This sense of urgency is not a rush, rush, rush kind of urgency, but a "let's get going". 

                Help others to understand that today is the only day that matters.  Their dream is important and needs to be treated with respect and excitement.  They do not have to wait to live out their dreams, they can start right now.  You would be surprised - or maybe not - at how many people never even come close to living their dreams.

                As a life coach, you have the great and awesome privilege of helping people to discover what they are here for and to live that purpose rather than keep it hidden.  Oliver Wendell Holmes said, "Most people go to their graves with the music still inside them."  Sadly this is true.  But you can make the biggest difference in a person's life.

                And what about you?  Are you living out your purpose, calling and dream?  Are you allowing all your music to be heard?  Never cheat yourself or God in not becoming all that you can become.  Just because you are a coach does not mean you have made all your own discoveries.  Live and use up all that is in you.  The grave is not a storage container for another time.  This life is it.  Make it count and help others to make theirs count. 

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