What Is Coaching?
By Talane Miedaner
Coaching closes the gap between where you are now and where
you want to be. It is a professional relationship with someone who accepts
nothing but your best and who will advise you, guide you, and encourage you
to go beyond self-imposed limitations in order to realize your full potential.
Think of Olympic athletes. These are the most successful and powerful athletes
in the world-because of coaching. Their coaches give them the edge that allows
them to go for the gold. They provide an outside perspective and keep the
athletes focused on their goals.
A life coach points out things you can't see and gives you ideas on how to improve your performance while at the same time motivating you to be your absolute best. A life coach challenges you to go beyond where you normally stop. A life coach helps you tap into your greatness and enables you to share it with the world. Can you imagine how much more productive and successful you would be if you had your own coach? Well you don't have to imagine it anymore… Coaching used to be reserved for CEOs and other top executives, and, of course, superb athletes, but now life coaching is available for anyone who wants to live his or her dreams. Today over 100,000 people use life coaches for advice and strategy on improving their personal and professional lives.
…You are the master and creator of your own destiny. You may already have a clear picture of what you want in life, or you may be clueless. It doesn't matter where you start. In fact, it is probably better if you are clueless so that you don't limit your options unnecessarily. You may be wondering if coaching will work for you. Try it and see. In one sense, nobody needs a coach; it is a fabulous luxury. But, like the Olympic athlete, if you seek to perform and be your absolute best, you'll want the edge coaching provides.
Taken from Coach Yourself To Success, by Talane Miedaner, McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2000. Reprinted with permission.