I’ve designated July as my ‘Coach Appreciation Month’. So, this month, the blogs feature coaching–what it is, how to choose a coach, and how to find out if you’re coach able.
To thank all you coaches out there, I’m GIVING AWAY my $99 resource, Managers’ Coaching Companion to Up and Running in 30 Days. Why? It was created to partner with the 3rd edition of Up and Running in 30 Days. Now, the 4th edition is published (and a new ‘delivery’ of my coaching help is available at Up and Running in Real Estate). The coaching companion I’m giving away this month still has lots of value. With 109 pages, 2 audio CDs, and 1 ‘document’ CD I’ve packed this resource with dozens of coaching strategies, tips, and questions for coaches to use in ANY coaching situation. Just pay shipping and handling and I’ll get one out to you–while they last. And, thanks, coaches, for your dedication to raising the standards of our industry. Click here for a description and to order.
Agents: Forward this blog to your managers and tell them to take advantage of my offer. They’ll get lots of practical, proven information on productivity coaching (I know, I’ve done these strategies for over 2 decades!).
Are You Coach able?
Thinking about revving up your business? Getting a coach? Stop. First, ask yourself, “Are you coach able?” No, really; that’s a serious question. I’ve been coached and have been a coach most of my life (first music, then real estate). But, I don’t believe that all people can benefit from coaching. Most managers and coaches will tell you everyone needs a coach. After all, no great performers move past their ‘ceilings of achievement’ without a coach. I certainly know that as a pianist. But, not everyone can benefit from a coach. Why? Because some people aren’t very ‘coach able’. Another way to say it is that they aren’t ready to be coached. So, before you waste your money on coaching (yes, I’m willing to say it!), let’s explore what it takes to benefit from coaching.
Managers/coaches: Use this evaluator to help your potential ‘clients’ figure out if they will benefit from coaching (and you will be successful coaching them).
Want to see how coach able you are? Take my ‘coach ability’ evaluator (link at the end of this blog). And, as you read this blog, answer the questions to assure you’re going to get your money’s worth in a coaching relationship.
What It Takes to be Coach able
There are 15 questions on the coach ability evaluator. But, there are 3 attributes I believe you need if you are to get the very most from any coaching experience. In this blog, I’ll discuss the first attribute. Watch later blogs for more attributes.
- How Strong is your ‘Why’?
Why do you want to be coached? How motivated are you to break through your ‘ceiling of achievement’? Why is that important? Because your coach can’t provide you with the all the ‘fire in the belly’ you’ll need to keep on keeping on (although many coaching clients expect their coach to find a motivation that’s not there…..).
How the Motivational Cycle Works
Let’s look at how motivation works. First, you have an unrealized discontent. Maybe you have been schlepping along at 5, 10, or maybe even 30 transactions a year. But, at some level, you realize you are working way beneath your potential (step #1). So, you start looking at others who started in the business about the same time as you (#2). You see they are attaining more results faster. Then, you start looking around for a coach (#3). You take a big breath, take out your checkbook, and start working with a coach (#4). It’s not easy. It means doing things you have avoided doing, changing beliefs, expanding your horizons—and just plain working hard. But, it’s worth it, because you’re seeing results (#5).
I just took myself through the motivational cycle. For years, I’ve tried to lose weight. But, I just didn’t have that ‘fire in the belly’. For some strange reason, this time, though, I found it! In February, I paid lots of money to a weight-loss program (yes, I believe that if you have appreciable ‘skin in the game’ you’re more likely to stick with it). At the same time I hired a personal trainer. Talk about baptism by fire! But, the combination of my own motivation and the environment that I placed myself in has attributed to my continued motivation—and I’ve lost 40 pounds (and have about 15 to go, but, it’s kind of a piece of cake (woops) now.
My question to you: How motivated are you? Is the environment you are in motivating to you? Challenging? Encouraging?
If you answer ‘yes’, you’re on your way to being a candidate for coaching. Want more attributes? Check my next blog.
Click here to get my Coach ability Evaluator.
