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I’ve asked myself this question several times over the past 12 years.
In 1998, I saw a Fortune Magazine article that interviewed people on boats, planes, and exotic locations, coaching clients via the telephone and getting paid a lot of money to do so. I said, “I can do that.”
My journey as a coach began.
What followed was hard work. There were long days and sleepless nights. I had to figure out who I was, what I offered, how I would spread the word, and what I would charge.
I put myself out there in ways I had not done before. I spoke before large crowds. I wrote books. I networked like crazy. I am proud of what I’ve accomplished.
So why do I wonder from time to time if it’s still the right job for me? (Well, I am a career coach, and that’s what we career coaches do)
Really, it’s because the marketplace has gotten tougher for coaches. There are more coaches now. This means individuals and businesses are not sure who to choose. There is less money in customers’ pockets, which means less money in ours.
I continue to be a coach because it’s the best job I’ve ever had. I wake up every morning and look forward to speaking to my clients. People thank me for my coaching, take notes while I speak, and remind me that my words have improved their lives.
Are YOU wondering if it’s the right time to become a coach or stay a coach?
In order to find your answer, ask yourself:
“Do I continue to do what’s in my heart versus what the economy and marketplace is open to paying for at this time?”
“Do I keep plugging away or table my love for coaching for another time?”
In addition, ask yourself the best question that we ask our clients: “What is your heart telling you to do?”
Building, growing, and maintaining a coaching practice takes work. But in this economy, you will have to work harder and longer to live your dream as a coach. You can get there and stay there if you want it and keep at it.
Coaching is something that hits us inside, to the very core of who we are. Once we find out about the profession, there’s no turning back. We know what our calling is -instantly - and we understand what we have to do; become a coach.
If you want coaching to be, or continue to be your profession, don’t give up.
Research the marketplace and offer coaching that solves problems that customers can’t solve on their own. This has always been the “sweet spot” of coaching. Keep looking for your specialty, keep trying out new things, keep doing one thing every day no matter what to build or expand your practice, and success as a coach is yours for the taking.
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There are 3 Responses so far...
The issue is not about remaining a coach or not.
The issue is about having the passion and ‘life-calling’ to add-value to the client that significantly exceeds what the client is expecting; even at the expense of us being ‘misconstrued’.
What I noticed is that the word ‘coaching’ brings up different interpretations – some positive, others mostly negative perceptions.
It is and always will be the ‘results’ of coaching (no matter how we brand it) that determines how efficient and effective coaching is; and whether clients appreciate coaching or not.
Most clients who I work with in coaching, expect ‘immediate results’, wherelse coaching is a process that leads to the results/outcomes.
Although some of these can be manifested instantly with the rare right moment of truths where transformation occurs (there may be plenty of claims by coaches that they can replicate these instances consistently, though there are no statistical datas to support such claims).
The majority of time, it may take some ‘gestation period’ to arrive at the desired result/outcome.
The challenge is most clients want results/outcomes yesterday, and this is when coaching is at the ‘pressure points’ of hurrying through, at the expense and also the ‘unconscious unawareness’ of the client, about missing the essence of coaching.
Well this is reality in the real world, where ‘miracles’ are expected out of coaching, isn’t it?
The success of any coaching ‘intervention’ always will not rest on the coach. It will rest more on the client/coachee – the readiness state to be coached, the committment to coaching, and the profound urgency and realization by the client/coachee that coaching will be the positive turning point for him/her.
If we need to ‘convince’ and ‘persuade’ potential coaching clients to the power of coaching, it is very likely that coaching will be less efficient and effective.
A ‘true’ coach will already have the knack for coaching from mind-feeling to muscle. Every interaction is and will be coaching moments.
Coaching as a professional endeavour is creating the structure, but the calling as a coach is the internal manifestation and urge to coach at every coaching moment that arises. We will know if our calling is coaching when we think, feel, act, sleep, discuss, converse, and ingrained in every neuron and muscle are all things about coaching.
Are we displaying characteristics of the true calling as a coach?
Billy C H Teoh
Malaysia.
I’d say that as long as there are people with challenges, there will be a need for a coach… or often a mentor [which many still call a "coach"]
As a speaker I often speak on topics that are addressing “pain” areas of my audience members, and when I offer mentoring or coaching at the end of my workshop or presentation, most of the time I have a few sign ups.
At times all I can do is to give out forms to get on a waiting list… and at times I do not give out the forms at all…
Coaching is as good a “career” as being an insurance agent, car sales person, consultant, or any other solo-professional. If you find a good niche and you market yourself effectively, then success is given. I found that public speaking – especially workshops – is the most effective way to gaining new clients.
They say – whoever “they” are – that people do busines with people they like and trust. Public speaking is far the best “method” to gain both of those… and more! When you speak to groups you are often automatically viewed as an authority on your subject, and if you do a good job, you are more likely to get hired as a coach or mentor… or even get invited to speak at other events [after 2OO4, my practice flipped over and I generate about 7O% of my income through speaking... and that is given due to the high fees one can commend for speaking vs. coaching...
My suggestions:
1. Pick a niche where people have a definable challenge AND they have the money to pay for your services [often coaches don't pick a niche or pick a niche where the pottential client can't afford the coaching services.
and...
2. Market like crazy.
- write articles in your niche
- post videos
- reply to comments in forums that are related to your niche
- write a blog on your niche
- and most importantly provide workshops, teleclasses, and webinars on your niche topic... FREE ones, where you provide great content at the end you promote your services and/or products; and paid ones where you provide lots of super great content, and at the end you still can mention briefly your coaching/mentoring services. [both in my live workshops and in the teleclasses I provide handouts, and the last pages are offers...]
Yes, there are lots of coaches out there… there is lots of competition… but many of coaches are nicheless and a bit lost. Get a great niche, market the heck out of it, and YOU SHALL SUCCEED :}
I appreciate your perspective Deborah. As a coach who’s been around for 13 years, I’ve experienced many of the same joys and frustrations. For me it all comes down to the relationship. As coaches, we design a relationship with another human being that holds them naturally, creative, resourceful, and whole. We believe in the individual even when that person doesn’t believe in him/herself. The power of having an unconditional champion in our corner is unparalleled. That’s why continue to love being a coach. Thanks for writing!