How to tell if you need coaching to succeed

Your ability to become successful in any way is directly proportional to your self-belief. We are all born with various unending capacities.

If we can understand this and know first-hand that we are responsible for finding our purpose and then pool our capabilities around that purpose, we would do plenty of good in the world. I strongly believe that is what it means to get the life we want. Many are unable to be in this space because they are not in touch with the intangible side of themselves.

This is where coaching comes in. Coaching helps you “align you with you” so you are better able to productively deal with the various people, things, activities and places in your life. Here are some ways to help you know for sure.
1. Are you newly employed or newly promoted to a position of higher authority?

Many are happy and grateful for the opportunity but silently grapple with the added responsibility of new positions. Suddenly faced with greater workloads, deadlines, bottom lines, top lines and other people to manage, such individuals need high-calibre personal leadership skills if they are to successfully lead anything, let alone anyone.

2. Are you feeling stagnated?

Stuck at the same position in a seemingly dead-end job while what you dream of is a fulfilling career? Contrary to popular belief, stagnation has very little to do with organisational politics, a bad boss, malicious colleagues or certain work conditions. It has everything to do with the individual. However, until the individual is ready to face and work on what holds him or her back, they remain right where they are.

3. Are you dealing with a significant change in your health?

A life-changing medical condition could alter one’s life and seemingly limit many opportunities. It helps to have an objective party help you evaluate your space and bring clarity to your viable options.

4. Would you like to start a business but do not know how?

This is when most people are simply petrified of stepping out on their own. The uncertainty of the muddy world of business can be intimidating. You can’t be on the next step if you have one foot still strongly rooted on the previous one.

It is about placing all cards on the table and picking each one at the appropriate time. This process is as unique as each individual and their desired business venture. I’ve been at it for over 12 years now and believe me, there’s nothing I have that you don’t.

5. Perhaps you’re fresh out of college and are wondering what’s next for you?

Here is a T-junction many of us have no clue which way to turn. Some vital questions a coach will help you answer have to do with what you want, when you want it, with whom you want it, what you’re willing to give up for it and what you intend to do with it once you acquire it.

6. What’s happening in your life?

Just coming out of an abusive relationship and need the courage to start afresh or going through a divorce and unsure how to move on? This is an underestimated sphere but a most important one in anyone’s life. If your personal life isn’t going well for you, the professional side is unlikely to thrive either.

While “well” is relative to the individual, there are basic desired states of “well” that apply to all of us. We each need to identify what our well is and then take the steps to live it.

7. Are you newly retired?

Have the children all left home and you don’t know what to do with yourself? You’ve heard of the parent who spends all day calling grown children at work, irritating them to no end while nearly costing them their jobs and losing his or her mind when they stop responding. An empty nest is no doubt very lonely. That said, life is about planning every aspect.

We all know what we want. The only problem is that we lose track of time in the daily hustle and bustle of life. We are then caught flat-footed, retired in an empty house.

8. Are you at a particular age and looking to chart a new path for yourself?

We all look for advancement but age is not one of the areas in which we look for it. The clock ticks on, days, weeks and months fly by and before we know it, we are turning… well, whatever your number. Please know that it is only a number.

The most important part of you never grows old. Life is like a fine wine, it matures with age. That means that at any age, you can rejuvenate your life and productivity to your best advantage.

9. Have you lost count of the number of times you feel you have failed?

Would you like to wipe the slate clean and change the tide forever? Failure is one of those words most of us do not like uttered too loudly, but relax your mind, forgive and even pat yourself on the back for trying. Stop counting how many times you’ve experienced it. Let’s give it another shot and create room in your life for more shots because you never truly fail until you stop reaching for your greatness.

Your ultimate place is assured. No one can take it. If you don’t reach for it, it sits there waiting with your name emblazoned on it in bold letters. What waste it is to leave it unclaimed!

10. Are you simply looking to establish why you’re here, what your purpose is; looking to do, have and feel better while making your mark on the world and being handsomely rewarded for it?

Yes, this is quite the stirrer of minds. Stop anyone walking on the street and ask them why they are here and they’ll probably give you a defensive question for an answer; “what do you mean?” It means they do not know!

We are all here for various definite reasons. I’m here to help discerning individuals reach their ultimate potential. I do this by personal example and through my written works, seminars and public speaking.

Get a good counsellor and start purposely sprinting in the direction of your ultimate place.

Ms Ruligirwa-Kamara is an expert on attitude & human potential.
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