Life Coach?

Last week I was talking to a long time friend of mine who said he was discussing how to deal with the downturn in his consulting business over the summer. A few reactions occurred to me when I heard that; (1) if there is a downturn then how can you afford an outside consultant to help you; (2) why can’t you just figure out what is wrong about your business on your own.

After my initial reaction I started to think about what he was really getting from that coach and I remember a few years ago that ‘his team’ had sent me a survey asking for my opinion on that person and to answer some specific questions.

So after some reflection I realized that there was probably a very useful need for a coach or at least to be introspective about what I was doing right or wrong with my day and career. A quick check of the back account revealed that hiring someone at $75 plus per hour was out of the question. Now to plan ‘B’, why not try to be somewhat objective about my strengths and foibles and then make a plan all on my own to improve in a few areas at a time.

I found first that a life coach deals with a broad base of inspiration from sociology, psychology, career counseling, and mentoring. Wow, that should unearth some things about me if I really spend the time to look at my life through those different lenses. So I have started to do that and although I am not finished yet realize that I need to listen better to close friends and associates that may have good advice in the form of being a mentor; try to set some goals in areas that I put off; and maybe even try to do some behavior modification. I guess for now the most important thing I see is to set and reach goals and in doing that it will make me change for the better….and save $75/hour.