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My guess is, for most people
it’s less threatening than asking someone you don’t know to
help you with a sticky career problem. When you’re paying for
something under a written contract, and can terminate the
agreement simply by following procedures determined in
advance, it’s more cut-and-dried than a personal mentoring
relationship.
Because I have
osteoporosis, my doctor suggested I weight train. I signed up
at the gym and hired a personal trainer (coach.) He asked me
what I wanted to accomplish, designed a program to fit my
profile, pushes me to do more than I think I can, and
continually corrects my form. There are times I want to punch
him out! But I don’t. I communicate with him, he works with
me, the results are recorded, and they are significant.
Working with a business coach is no different.
Once, because the topic
interested me, I responded to a survey on a financial planning
website, which promised to put my name in a drawing for two
hours one-on-one with a personal business coach as thanks for
my time. TOP
When I won the drawing, I
didn’t bother picking up the prize. I’d run my own business
for more than thirty years. What on earth could someone who
didn’t even know my business or me have to say?
Plenty. I figured the
sessions were free, so what the heck! Joseph Lucas is a
business coach who provides counseling on the telephone. He
didn’t hesitate to ask tough questions. Once he learned I was
the recipient of the winning ticket, he faxed me a “Getting
Started Information” questionnaire that instructed me to list
the three goals I wanted to accomplish over the next three
months. I had to stop and think. I mean, I really had to
stop. And think.
TOP
Joe helped me focus,
organize and envision what I really wanted from my practice.
He led me to updating my business plan, hiring an assistant,
and revamping a private office. That happened before the free
sessions were completed. I worked with Joe for another year,
and accomplished a great deal during that time.
Today I work face-to-face
with a business coach, Judy Whaley, who I met through a local
networking organization. She has been a tremendous help with
prioritizing my goals, bringing balance into my life in light
of my preoccupation with my book, and reducing my stress. She
has been instrumental in helping me find mentors for various
aspects of my business.
Oh! Mr. Jones, the
director? I’ve been Mrs. Jones for thirty years now. This
mentoring stuff really does create fascinating and unexpected
results on occasion!
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