A Little Help Makes A Big Change

“All coaching is, is taking a player where he can't take himself.” – Bill McCartney

I have to admit, there are some books I have read on coaching that were excellent and extremely helpful.  There were others that, frankly, made the whole process so completed and involved that I just wanted to give up all together.  Have you faced that dilemma?  Have there been times that you find the coaching process so complicated that you know you are not ready for this and it might be best to seek another profession?

                I have good news for you.  Life Coaching is not that complicated.  In fact, it is a very natural process.  Coaching is just a case of helping people achieve things in their lives they cannot seem to do on their own.  We all need help from time to time.  Even the coach needs help.  Coaches are just people who have a passion to help other people.  They are the ones who give that little push some need to get things going.  They are not therapists, prophets or police.  They are not telling people what to do, they are helping them do what most already know to do.

                This is not saying that coaching is so simple anyone can do it and there is no need for training.  Believe me, and I know you are well aware of this, not anyone can coach.  There are people who may have great knowledge, but no compassion or desire to work with others.  Since coaching is helping people to do for themselves what needs to be done, it takes very special people to do it.  Those who must control or have their own way all the time need not apply.

                I am so grateful for the fantastic training that is available to those who seek to be coaches.  Life Breakthrough Coaching and the American Association of Christian Counseling both have outstanding programs.  Training is a must, however, you will find in both cases, it is not complicated or lofty.  It is down to earth, common sense teaching on how to help people help themselves.

                Studies have shown that Life Coaching is very effective in giving those who wish to make a change in their lives the needed backing to move forward.  We all know that there are many things that we do not understand or even know about in life.  Take being a coach for example.  When coaches call me for help it is usually in how to develop and build their coaching practice.  Why do they need help?  Many know how to help others and how to be a good coach, what they do not know is how to build a business.  They need help in that area.  Many others just need a bit of confidence building to help them venture off into that very scary frontier of self-employment.

                As a coach, my job is not to fill out their paperwork, develop their business plan or set their goals.  My job is to help them organize their thoughts and develop their habits to do all this themselves and still enjoy the process.  I offer help and support.  That is what a coach does.  We do not have to have all the answers, only the right questions to get all the answers.  People are usually amazed on just how much they already knew, they just needed help in seeing it.

                As you develop your coaching practice, remember that you are there to help, not to know it all.  If you have a heart for others and desire to help them succeed; if you trust in God for direction and keep your heart and mind open to Him, you will be a great coach.  Keep learning, keep trusting and keep seeking the good of others.  The world needs.

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