Success In Coaching

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Living the Good Life

"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody."

- 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 / NASV

Why do you think we have come to a time when so many people are unhappy, living lives of disappointment, brokenness and ungodliness? It is easy for us to shake our heads and blame it on sin and their forgetting God, but what do we do when that person is us? The truth is, so many live broken lives because they have forgotten how to live the good life.

We as Christians are here not just to tell people about Jesus but to show them Jesus. Being a godly person is more than going to church, saying grace before meals and not going out on a drunken terror. We are to be an example of what it means to be a Christian and how it is possible, even in this broken and sinful word, to live a life that is good, wholesome and right.

Christians face two problems here, one is that we really do not believe that it is possible to live a good, wholesome, and enjoyable life that is right and good. It is a nice idea; and we will talk about striving for it, but we too think it is a make believe, Ozzie & Harriet kind of idea. Secondly, because we do not really believe it is possible we talk more than we act. As Mark Twain said, "When all is said and done, more is said than done."

You can have the life that so many of us desire. The instructions are there in God's word. We can live lives of love, peace and contentment. It is not what we don't do that makes the difference, it is what we believe and do every day. Don't sell yourself short and think the good life is a myth, show the world it is a reality in your life. That will say far more than your words ever will.

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, October 16, 2014

First Things First

"Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house."

- Proverbs 24:27 / NASV

It is exciting to start your own coaching practice. You have a desire to help others be the best they can be and to fulfill their purpose from God, just as you are doing by helping them. However, it is far too easy, and too often done, to put the cart before the horse. Before you start your coaching, there are a few things you need to be sure to do.

Get the training you need

You may be very gifted in talking with people and helping your friends, however, that is not the same as coaching. Coaching should not be taken lightly. You are stepping into people's lives and what you say and do can lead them to success or failure. Get the good training you need.

Don't give up your day job

Once you start coaching you will need to work it around your work schedule, not your work schedule around your coaching. Few coaches earn enough to make it their living. If, in time, that happens, well and good, however, do not put yourself into financial distress so you can call yourself a coach.

Seek the guidance of the Lord

Coaches should pray and pray often. I have talked with far too many coaches (same problem pastor's have) who feel they are so busy they have no time to pray. If you do not have time to pray, you do not have the power to do anything else.

Get a coach or mentor

Seems odd to tell someone who is going into coaching to find their own coach, but it is something to truly consider. Just as others need you as a coach to help the work through decisions and directions in their life and career, so you too need this help with your own. None of us can do it all on our own, we need each other to succeed.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

The Oldest Occupation

"The Lord God took man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it."

- Genesis 2:15 / NASV

We all have hear the standard thought that the sex trade is the "oldest profession" in the world. That is untrue on a couple of points. For one, man started working before sin entered the world; and second, man's work was in the garden. So I guess we could say that farming is the oldest profession.

The point I wish to make is that we were all created to work. Work is not a punishment or result of the fall from grace. Work was given to man in paradise and it was a joy to him. So it can be for us today. Working, or earning our living gives us a sense of fulfillment, purpose and contribution. No one likes to feel like they need to be taken care of. This is why those who are unemployed suffer depression and the feeling of being worthless.

Here is the good news, you are not worthless, you have great value to those around you and mostly to God. Just because you may not have employment right now does not mean you cannot work and contribute. Your abilities are within you, not in the work you do. Find what your gifting is and get out and use it. You can find a job, you can make your own way, you can create your own work.

Remember that you are of great value. The world needs you. You were created for such a time as this. Never buy the lie that says you have to surrender to the circumstances you are in. God gave you work as a gift. Use that give and God will do the rest.

Thursday, October 9, 2014

He Really Understands

"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin."

- Hebrews 4:15 / NASV

One of the tricks that the enemy of our souls uses most often, and quite effectively, is that of making us feel alone. How many times have you heard someone say, "But you don't understand what I am going through."? People tend to think that no one has ever been through quite what they have been through and no one really understands the troubles they've seen (sorry, couldn't resist).

The truth is, the human experience is very common and most people do understand your struggles. More importantly however is the fact that Jesus understands. When I first became a Christian and struggled with old temptations, I felt that God could not want me because I have such sin in my heart. Then a loving friend pointed Hebrews 4:15 out to me and everything changed. I not only had hope but I had my own understanding.

This verse showed me two very important things: One was that if the Scripture was true (I knew it was) then Jesus faced the same temptations as me. The very same ones. The second thing was that He faced them and did not sin. That told me that being tempted was not sin. The accuser of our soul will tell us how bad we are because we have been tempted. Jesus tells us, "I understand and you have not sinned." He also tells us that because He was not overcome by temptation, we do not have to be either. That, my friend is wonderful news! I love the words of Billy Graham who use to say, "You can't keep birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from making a nest in your hair."

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Get Some Rest

"So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God."

- Hebrews 4:9 / NASV

Have you had a client (or maybe yourself) who was doing their best to achieve all they felt that God wanted them to do but felt like they were going nowhere? They have worked hard, kept focused and did what they needed to do, but did not feel they were any better off. In fact, they feel depressed, unfulfilled and discouraged. The answer may be as simple as the fact that they are tired.

We all remember the story of Elijah (1 Kings 19) and how after he overcame the prophets of Baal and out ran a chariot and saw God do great things, he just wanted to die. It is not a case of depression or even discouragement, it is just exhaustion. As said by the great coach, Vince Lombardi, "Fatigue makes cowards of us all."

There is a time to rest. Do not be so concerned about your success that you wear yourself down. The best advice you can give to anyone is, eat right, and get plenty of rest. When you are tired and feeling down, get some sleep. Always remember, tomorrow is a new day, fresh and ready for your use.

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.

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.