My long term plan is to transition my practice from it’s current 85% consulting/15% coaching to 80 coaching/20 consulting in the next five years. In my consulting practice I use formal process tools for problem solving/goal setting with groups and individuals.

Sometimes I get frustrated when I am coaching because I want to use these tools to attack the problem being discussed rather than let the group control the flow of the discussion. I am confident in my EQ, but have less confidence in my “Coaching Skills”.

Any suggestions of reading materials to help me better understand the coaching skill set?

Tom Arneson

I’ve been coaching for about 2 years though this January enrolled in the Evidence Based Coaching program Fielding Graduate Institute…so yes, I’ve really relied on reflecting on the following questions: What feels right for me? What information can I use immediately? How can I leverage my experience and parlay that with the theory and practice I get with the program?

These queries and trusting my gut guide me during this Overwhelm Zone of “Yikes, how much more information can I take in!” mode.

A mentor would be most helpful particularly in thinking about the business development side…thanks for the opportunity to talk (this is my first post and first visit to the website–I feel like I’ve hit the Lotto! Best, Joann

So in keeping with radical possibilities, I wonder what you all think of something like this:

What if there was an assessment-like website. Fairly thorough in the nature of the questions but not an onerous thing to fill out for newer coaches. Or old-timers for that matter. Questions include things like: (1) Rank the following 5 methods in the order you most prefer to learn. (2) In pursuing your coach training, is your priority to begin earning money quickly or take sure solid steps to build a foundation of knowledge? (3) As for your financial goals, what kind of coaching business would you like to build within your first year? (4) How much time do you have available each week for training? (5) Are you able to travel?

Etc. Obviously some most excellent thinking can go into this.

Then, as a result of the answers submitted, a recommendation or series of suggestions is generated. Top three suggestions for coach training organizations that match the person. The same could be done for certification or other pillars of a new coach’s life that typically cause overwhelm.

Thoughts?

For example, the beginner may feel overwhelmed in trying to remember all he was taught in his training program when dealing with his first actual clients. A veteran coach may feel overwhelmed in trying to sort through market trends, web 2.0 options, and increasingly complex client situations. If there are distinctions to be made, then perhaps there are at least some differences in the path to resolution.

My last thought comes from a conversation I had with Bill Bergquist about his chapter with Vikki Brock in our coaching anthology (The Philosophy and Practice of Coaching). I suggested that overwhelm could be thought of as a clash between two human drives: manage anxiety and seek meaning. What do you think?

You can read or listen to the Clobberin Overwhelm blog at this web address:(http://truebalancelifecoaching.blogspot.com/2008/03/clobbering-overwhelm.html)

And just for fun, if you are unfamiliar with the term “plate spinning” you can see some major plate spinners at:
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okvq7gSRw9E&feature=related)