Success In 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.

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

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.