Do You Have What It Takes? by David Wood

Do You Have What It Takes? by David Wood

Do You Have What It Takes?
Body of Article
Every one has something to offer. A target market of people who are one step behind or one step ahead of you, is always around.
But new coaches ask me - do I have what it takes to build a successful business?
Here are 7 assets which are definitely an advantage in pursuing coaching as a career:
1. Experience
Are you 15, or 40? Have you truly lived? Have you failed and learned? Or triumphed over adversity?
2. Training
Have you been specifically trained in coaching, or a related field?
3. Confidence
This grows as you coach, and realise there is no right or wrong. But some people have a knowing that everything will work out the way it's supposed to.
4. People Network
Knowing 50 people is better than knowing 10 when you want to get clients.
5. Existing Client Base
If you have an existing base, as do financial planners, fitness trainers, therapists, trainers, and consultants...building your practice will happen faster.
6. Commitment
Is this just something to pass the time for you, or are you truly committed to making a difference on this planet?
7. Having a Mentor Coach
Beginning a coaching practice on your own is a much longer, slower route.
* * *
So how many of the above do you have?
6? 4? 3?
Remember not to take any of this too seriously. The above assets are simply advantages which make the game easier. But all of them can be developed. If you have most of them already, then you can jump in knowing you're ahead of the game. If you have just one or two, then perhaps it's time to get started developing the others.
By David Wood and Geoff Grist
I encourage you to share, replicate or forward this article as long as the authors links and copyright information are kept intact.
Davids Bio

David Wood is a Certified Life Coach. He helps coaches, consultants, speakers and trainers to build their businesses via his popular eBook http://10SuperCoaches.com and his audio eBook at http://www.FirstFiftyClients.com. Get his new Free Download '50 Power Questions' and popular monthly eZine for clients at coaches (now over 15,000 subscribers) at: http://www.solutionbox.com/freedownload.htm

Link to website
Web site: www.life-coaching-resource.com

Copyright information
Copyright 2004 SolutionBox and Life Coaching Resource.com


About the Author
David Wood is a Certified Life Coach. He helps coaches, consultants, speakers and trainers to build their businesses via his popular ebook at http://10SuperCoaches.com and his audio ebook at http://www.FirstFiftyClients.com. Get his new Free Download 50 Power Questions and popular monthly ezine for clients and coaches (now over 15,000 subscribers) at: http://www.solutionbox.com/freedownload.htm

Entering the Field by David Wood

Entering the Field by David Wood

Entering the Field
Body of Article
So you're considering a career as a life, business or corporate coach, but wondering what's the best way to enter the field?
Do I need to do a training course? Do I need to get accredited? Where will I get clients, and do I have what it takes?
Most coaches agree on the best way to begin a coaching career: Work with someone who already is a coach! Simple eh?
In other words, work a month or two with a Coach; someone who has already built the type of business or career you want to have, and who can then help you do the same.
Only faster and more efficiently!
Here are the key steps:
1.Interview 2-3 coaches to find out more about the career and lifestyle you would be getting into. They can tell you the good and the bad; how easy, or difficult it is, and ...... how they got started.
2.Hire a coach and experience coaching for yourself. But don't get coached on Becoming a Coach. Not just yet. Be coached on something else you want to achieve, or something you want to alter in your life. This will give you the best feel for whether or not this is the career for you.
It's actually the best training you can get. Training from a live course, teleclass or book is great. But there's no substitute for the experience of personally being coached, and seeing how an experienced coach moves you forward.
For a list of mentor coaches and links to their web pages, visit www.coachstart.com/Mentor.htm
3.Once you've decided to go ahead, consider professional coach training. This will give you resources, insights, tools and support. It will also help you to build your coach network; other coaches you can call on for help and advice. We'll profile coach training schools in a later issue. For now, suffice it to say you should pick a school which has happy, successful coaches.
Do you require face to face training, or want the flexibility of teleclass (phone conference calls) training? And shop around - prices vary. For a list of training schools, visit www.becomeacoach.com
4.Work with a coach to build your practice. Some people skip Step 3 and jump straight to working with a coach to enter the industry. People in this category are usually those with existing transferable skills (e.g. counselling, or a lot of personal development training), or people short on cash, and wanting to generate some revenue from coaching before they invest in a proper training course. A coach can help you avoid common mistakes, and build your practice faster, and with less effort than you would on your own.
5.What business systems do you need in place? Where will you find clients? How will you keep your clients? And how do you keep your chin up when you lose three in one day!?
In future issues, we'll examine the different training options, provide tips on selecting a mentor coach, discuss the importance of accreditation, and publish interviews with new and experienced coaches.
By David Wood and Geoff Grist
I encourage you to share, replicate or forward this article as long as the authors links and copyright information are kept intact.
Davids Bio

David Wood is a Certified Life Coach. He helps coaches, consultants, speakers and trainers to build their businesses via his popular eBook http://10SuperCoaches.com and his audio eBook at http://www.FirstFiftyClients.com. Get his new Free Download '50 Power Questions' and popular monthly eZine for clients at coaches (now over 15,000 subscribers) at: http://www.solutionbox.com/freedownload.htm

Link to website
Web site: www.life-coaching-resource.com

Copyright information
Copyright 2004 SolutionBox and Life Coaching Resource.com


About the Author
David Wood is a Certified Life Coach. He helps coaches, consultants, speakers and trainers to build their businesses via his popular ebook at http://10SuperCoaches.com and his audio ebook at http://www.FirstFiftyClients.com. Get his new Free Download 50 Power Questions and popular monthly ezine for clients and coaches (now over 15,000 subscribers) at: http://www.solutionbox.com/freedownload.htm