If you want to be a coach, and have not yet worked with one, then I strongly recommend that you do.

Remember from the Pitfalls to Avoid lesson?

Knowing is not the same as doing – make sure you are in the trenches with your clients to create strong empathy with them.

This doesn’t have to be a direct comparison – for example, I work with patients of weightloss surgery but I have not had the surgery. I have however experienced a number of the triggers that resulted in them gaining weight. I work with a number of coaches for different things such as health and business.

Choosing a coach or mentor can be a scary prospect.

We usually think that the fear is around the cost of the coaching, but really it is a much more deep rooted fear around us being the one person that it won’t work for. Remember we are hardwired to stay the same, to not move forward, so all of these things are at play when you are looking at really stepping up in your coaching practice.  (And remember your clients will be going through the same thing too.)

Let’s look at some options and their pros and cons:

Coach or Mentor

Benefits

• Intensive attention, usually 1:1 either in person, or over the phone/Skype
• Fully tailored to your needs in the moment
• May have a theme eg Leadership, Sales, Health but without strict curriculum to follow

Pitfalls

• Due to the 1:1 nature, this type of support is on the higher end of the pricing spectrum
• If you do not connect well with your coach or mentor, results can be affected

Mastermind/Group Coaching

Benefits

• Working as part of a group can offer other insights from participants
• Everyone is working through a similar challenge together
• Additional support in your fellow masterminders
• Cost is lower than working 1:1

Pitfalls

• No guarantee of individualised support (look out for programs that offer a 1:1 component)
• You can get lost in the crowd if you don’t request support

The key to making the right choice? – Know yourself.

How do you like to work?

What motivates you, love or a swift virtual kick up the ass?

The more you know about how you work best, the better you will be able to identify the right option for you.

Then, shop around.

There are so many options out there available to you, make sure you do your homework.

Don’t be afraid to ask your prospective coach or mentor questions about working together.  There can be some flexibility in 1:1 arrangements, group programs are trickier to cater for individuals.

Ask questions and be prepared to share your goals and fears with prospective mentors and coaches so that they can count themselves in or out of working with you. (The best coaches are sizing you up as much as you are sizing them up, and are not just out to ‘sell’ to you.)

Here is an example of the questions that you should be asking if you are looking to gain a coach certification. I created this to help people find the right training for them, rather than invest heavily in the wrong program after a high pressure sales call or training day.

10 Questions To Ask Your Coach Training Provider Before You Enroll