Success In Coaching: September 2014

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

OOPS

"He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from trouble."

- Proverbs 21:23 / NASV

Have you ever said something and as soon as it has come out of your mouth you know you said something really stupid? I have - more than once. Why do we do that? What is it that causes a rational, reasonably kind person to come out with something dumb and hurtful? I believe it comes from wanting to talk more than wanting to say something worthwhile.

One of the disciplines of a successful person is that they think before they talk. I say discipline because it has to be a deliberate action, it will not happen on its own. We must control our tongue or it will control us. We see it all the time in people from political leaders to the guy next door. When we do not think we say things that we will regret in the end.

I believe that God has given us control over our tongue and the things we say. The trick is to use that control. There are a few simple things you can do to not be the one to say the wrong thing:

1) Think before you talk.

2) Do not talk too much.

3) Always ask yourself what is the kindest and must helpful thing you can say.

4) As you mother told you: when you have nothing good to say, don't say anything.

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.

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

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Laziness: The Destroyer

"One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys."

- Proverbs 18:9 / NASV

The most destructive and repulsive habit I can think of is laziness. Lazy people are some of the most draining and hurtful on a society. They are parasites that live off the life of those around them. The problem is they are everywhere, even in the church. As a coach you have or will come across your share of them. If you are not aware and ready, they will suck the life out of you like a vampire.

A simple study of Scripture will show you that God has very harsh words for the lazy and useless. Oh, they many times try to hide among the needy or helpless. They act like it is the churches or societies responsibility to care for them. But we must have the wisdom, and the love for them to recognize them and turn them out. Yes, love means not helping the lazy.

Laziness is like an infection that will spread in the body and cause great damage. The best way, and the most loving way to deal with a lazy person is to demand that they work or they do not receive anything. Laziness is a habit, and habits, especially bad ones, can be broken and replaced with new and better habits. Help those who suffer from laziness to become productive and healthy but refusing to help them be lazy. It may sound hard but it is the most loving thing you can do; and if it is the way God handles it, we must follow His example.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Waiting for Action

"Yet, those that wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary."

- Isaiah 40:31 / NASV

A young man I knew was coming for some coaching about building his own business. After the second meeting I asked him what he has been doing about moving forward. His answer was that he was "waiting on the Lord". "For what?" I asked. He thought for a moment and said, "I'm not sure. I thought He would tell me that."

I believe there is a time for waiting on the Lord and for rest. However, when we do, from what I see in Scripture, there better be some big time action to follow. As you see in this verse from Isaiah, when we wait on the Lord we do not just sit around, He causes us to take strong and decisive action. I believe that the most productive, creative and effective people in the world should be God's people.

Do you have a dream or a purpose you desire to achieve? Get busy and do it. You have the greatest power in all the universe behind you and the ability to achieve whatever He has called you to do. Do you think that if God has called you to a task, He was not intending for you to complete the task? When God give us the dream, we cannot fail!

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Good to Be on the Winning Side

"But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loves us."

- Romans 8:37 / NASV

We all love to win. We all love to feel like a winner. The good news for the believer in Christ Jesus is that we are winners - no matter what happens. This does not mean we will not face difficult and troubled times. We will. It does not mean we will not suffer loss and disappointment. We will. It does mean we will come out on top and in the end we will win.

I believe that as a coach we have no greater news to tell our clients or to tell ourselves than the fact that God, the God who created the universe, is on our side. Not the side of human kind. Not the side of the church and fellow believers, but on our individual side. He cares about you personally and is there to get you - and me - through.

Be encouraged every day with this wonderful portion of Scripture. When you are tired, hurt, frustrated, weary and broken, stop and refresh yourself by knowing that because He loves you, you are - not will be or could be - ARE more than a conquer.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

I Need You

"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

I need you. I confess that I am weak and broken and I need you as my brothers and sisters in Christ to stand with me and to encourage me. I also know that you need me. The truth is, we need each other desperately to survive in this crazy and fallen world we live in. No one can make it on their own, and the good news is that we were never designed to.

It is true that God created each of us unique and special, however, He also created us for each other. We are one body, built to function together and to support each other. Never be deceived into thinking that you can go it alone. You need other believers to help you on your journey and to give protection from the power of sin that pulls many way into bondage.

I do not mind admitting that I need you. I believe that God created you to do great things, and when you become all you were created to be, I become all I was created to be. I am so grateful for His love and mercy to me by putting you in my life. I want to be a blessing to you as you my friend are a blessing to me.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Time for Sweet Talk

"Pleasant words are a honeycomb,

sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."

- Proverbs 16:24 / NASV

As a coach you hold a very powerful weapon. This can be used for help and healing, or for destruction and hurt. This weapon is the very tool that will make the difference between your clients success and failure; as well as your own. This great and powerful weapon is your words.

Remember that those who have been called and chosen by God to minister to others hold a great responsibility. Those who come to you believe you will help and guide them, therefore they listen to what you have to say. Be sure that you are quick to encourage, slow to correct. Keep your words kind and uplifting, never hard and discouraging.

Follow the advice of businessman, Richard M. DeVos who said, "Few things in the world are more powerful than a positive push. A smile. A word of optimism and hope. A 'you can do it' when things are tough." In coaching, a good rule to follow is that your words are always kind, caring and encouraging. You will find they are much more productive than any correction you may give.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Less Talking / More Doing

"All hard work brings a profit,

but mere talk leads only to poverty."

- Proverbs 14:23 / NASV

I have heard from many who have just become life coaches or who have decided to develop their own practice. Here is a common fact, I hear more talking than I see doing. This is not a problem unique to coaching. Success-minded people tend to be dreamers and people of vision. They can see what they want to achieve and they then get so excited they want to tell everyone what they plan to do. The problem becomes that they just plan and do not do.

Here is a truth that you must learn. Write it down and carry it with you to read often. NOTHING HAPPENS WITHOUT ACTION! There is no exceptions to the rule, no respect for who you are and what you hope to do. A goal without action is only a wish; and wishes are made of smoke and will soon disappear.

If you desire a career in coaching here are three things you must do today in order to get moving:

1) Write down exactly what you want to do and why. (Be very clear on this)

2) Decide what you need to do to make this happen. Have at least three steps you can take right now.

3) Do something, take some kind of action within 24 hours.

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Getting Smarter

"Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser.

Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning."

- Proverbs 9:9 / NASV

One of the qualities of a success-minded person is that they are always learning. They realize that there is something to learn from every person they meet and every experience they have. As the 19th century English scientist, Thomas Huxley said, "Try to learn something about everything and everything about something."

Coaching is a profession that requires us to be learning all the time. The human condition is a complicated one and to truly understand people and what difficulties they face, you must be ready and willing to learn. Here is the good news: there is an abundant of resources at your disposal. You can find book, articles, blogs and many other training and teaching tools. You have more resources available to you today than any one throughout history has had.

Use these many good and wonderful resources. Never think you have learned it all and you can now just give information rather than take it. Only the foolish stop learning. Once you stop learning you stop growing. Stop growing and you will be of no help to anyone. God gave you one of the greatest gifts in the universe, the ability to learn. Use it well.

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Being Confident

"Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace,

so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

- Hebrews 4:16 / NASV

The work of a Christian Life Coach is filled with rewards and blessings. It is however also filled with stress and difficulties. Coaches should never be strangers to prayer. In fact, "the throne of grace" should be the most familiar place we know. However, if we are to be honest here, it is not.

During my years as a pastor I attended several pastor's groups. We would get together and talk, train and support each other. The most common problem many pastors faced, bar none, was the lack of prayer. Some would feel they only had time for short prayers now and then and some not at all. One pastor confessed that he had not had a prayer time with just him and the Lord in years.

This is not to add condemnation to the stress we already feel about our lack of prayer, but rather to encourage you to take time, right now, and come boldly, with confidence to the Lord. Know that His love for you is greater than your busy schedule, the interruption and your exhaustion. He longs to spend time with you, to refresh and strengthen you. No need to spend time explaining your absents or neglect, He not only knows, but He really does understand. This is why when we go to prayer we always find grace, mercy and help in our time of need.