First – some definitions of coaching 

• The word coaching originated in the world of sport, but now coaching is a distinct profession, clearly different from counselling, training, mentoring, therapy, or consultancy. What is remarkable is its sheer power and versatility. Coaching will help you perform a new task, improve your performance in your chosen profession, develop a new skill or solve a problem. In more general terms, many people are turning to coaches to find direction and balance. Joseph O’Connor

• Coaching is unlocking people’s potential to maximise their own performance. It is helping them to learn rather than teaching them. John Whitmore

• A coach is someone who tells you, what you don’t want to hear, who has you see what you don’t want to see, so you can be who you have always known you could be. Tom Landry

Attitude -

I think a coach does for the mind what a personal trainer does for the body.  So if ability is what you’re capable of doing and motivation determines what you do, then attitude determines how well you do it.  Your attitude will play an important role in helping you to select the right coach to work with, be it personal or business.

Research –

Consequently, when selecting your own coach, take time out to do some research. A professional coach will welcome and expect this, so don’t be embarrassed about investigating your options. Ask friends and colleagues for recommendations; check the web sites of accredited coaching organisations; contact your local trade associations or business directories for local referrals. 

It pays to remember that this is just one of many deeply personal choices you’ll make during your lifetime. Therefore, due consideration is required to achieve maximum benefit and results from your choice. After all, taking responsibility for your choices is one of the principles of coaching. Start now by making the right choice for you and your individual situation, no one knows you better than you do. 

Finally, there will come a time when you feel quite naturally that you’ve outgrown your coach and don’t forget, you may also benefit from working with different specialist coaches for different issues – it’s your choice. 

Points for your consideration; 

About the coach: 

	What evidence is the coach providing you to demonstrate they have a good track record, successes and relevant qualifications?
	What is their policy regarding the Data Protection Act and offering you a confidential service?
	How comfortable will you be discussing intimate issues and can you safely reveal your worries, ideas, aspirations and joy to your coach?
	What do you have in common and are you on the same wavelength i.e. do you share the same moral and ethical values?
	How confident are you that your coach will offer you unconditional support to stimulate, motivate and inspire you to achieve the desired results?
	How assured are you over their attitude to best practice and are their fees competitive providing you value for money?
	You are passionate about achieving your goals, how passionate is your coach in their belief of you?
	How comfortable are you that your coach understands your individual needs and expectations?
	What techniques and procedures does your coach adopt to help you with planning, implementation and achievement of your goals?
	How likely is your coach prepared to listen ‘actively’ and let 75% of the input come from you?
	How well can you imagine yourself enjoying a relationship of interdependency with your coach based on trust and honesty?
	Are you being offered a customised coaching plan or a stock formulated one?

About Yourself: 

	Coaching, not to be confused with therapy or counselling is about looking to the future rather than the past, is this you want?
	If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always had, what changes do you want to make about yourself and your life?
	Where are you are now and where you want to go in the future?
	How clearly defined are your objectives regarding what you wish to accomplish through coaching?
	What problems, issues or concerns do you have that you’d like to be addressed to minimise future mistakes?
	How committed are you to the coaching process including making the necessary investment in yourself?
	What’s your preferred method of coaching: ‘one to one’, over the phone or by e-mail and how often do you think you’ll require this support?
	How strong is your desire and determination to be the best?
	Which areas of your life do you wish to see the most improvements and by when?
	Do you need a specialist coach with a particular expertise to direct and focus you?
	How serious are you about undertaking the necessary action to make the desired changes?

Now you’re ready to make an informed choice and take the necessary steps towards changing and creating a life that is balanced, satisfying and fulfilling.  One where you enjoy the challenging and stimulating support of the coach of your choice.

Good luck and we look forward to being of further support to you as you make the changes desired to live the life you desire.