Any superstar athlete will tell you that you gotta find the right coach. Studies have shown that having the right coach or mentor can make all the difference in your performance.
You can, and should, do the same thing. Every avenue of life has its superstars. Seek them out. Spend time with them and ask them questions. Find out how they became so successful.
You may be wondering how to find the right coach. My first recommendation is that you have different mentors and coaches for the different aspects of your life. Some of them may have the attributes you admire in physical health and vitality. Some might be experts in marketing and management, while others have exceptional interpersonal skills.
When considering whether someone is the right coach for you, ask yourself the following questions:
* Is this someone I am willing to tell my commitments to?
* Is this someone I would share my failures and successes with?
* Is this someone that will lead me by example and someone I will follow?
* Will this person hold me to a higher standard and not let me off the hook?
* Will I follow through with this person even if it is uncomfortable or difficult?
Take time now to write down the names of three to five individuals you kow (or would like to know) who possess the characteristics you want in a coach. Even if you don’t know them, write them down for two reasons.
I do have one warning for you when it comes to finding the right coach: Be careful whom you associate with and listen to. Find successful mentors you can look up to that will guide you. Now you might think that’s obvious, but you would be surprised how many people take advice from mediocre performers or family and friends who don’t have “the fruit on the tree.”
If you were to ask me what I feel has been the single most important thing that has helped me throughout my career, my answer would be simply, “I am coachable.”
Believe in Yourself….Raise the Bar….Move Mountains!
Return to the Gameplan Newsletter – February 2009 where this article displayed.
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Billy Cox is a self-development speaker who has the unique ability to bring business and life issues together with a focus on business. He is the author of The All-Star Sales Book, The Dream Book and You Gotta Get In The Game. He can be contacted by calling 1-800-722-4685 or info@billycoxinternational.com
