Finding the right coach

I have been a sports fan my entire life and an athlete throughout my secondary school years and college. Because of this, coaches have played such a pivotal role in shaping and influencing the person I’ve become. When I think back on the coaches whose influence carried the most weight with me, they all had several things in common. Consistency, genuine interest, and love of the game. So, when it comes to what to look for in a personal coach now, I believe these same 3 attributes should be found.
Let’s break them down: 

1. Consistency - there were some seasons where I had coaches that weren’t totally present (literally and figuratively). This impacted our team greatly! Especially as teenagers and young adults, we needed that coach to be committed to practices, pushing us to be our best, and regularly showing up. The same can be said for a personal coach. You want to know that when you set an appointment, they’ll keep it. Their technology will be put away and their focus and energy directed to you, their client. Will emergencies come up? Of course. But the “reschedules” should be few and far between. 
2. Genuine Interest - We can all tell when someone is actually interested in what we are saying. Their face reflects it, their body language, their tone of voice, everything! Some of my coaches I’m still in personal contact with because they not only wanted to develop me as an athlete, but as a person. And boy, some of those lessons were hard (looking at you, 9th grade year of soooo many wall sits for being sassy!). But I could hear and receive their critical feedback because I knew they genuinely wanted me to reach my potential. Your personal coach should have those same characteristics. You should be able to tell from that first conversation that you’re working with a person who cares deeply about helping others succeed. 
3. Love of the game - if coaches don’t love the game they’re teaching people to play, that’s a problem! I would have never mastered my ace serve in volleyball if I didn’t have a coach who also loved volleyball. It’s the same thing in life. Maybe you’re seeking out coaching to help you launch that big dream of yours into reality. Perhaps you’ve received some feedback from leaders at your job that is prompting you to seek out personal development. Whatever is driving you, an excellent personal coach will leave you with no doubt that they are supporting you, moving you towards accomplishing something great, and would not be doing anything else other than cheering people on. 
   
   

Finding a great coach who is the right fit is priceless! Ask for a 15 minute consult and you’ll be surprised to see all you can learn about a person in that initial conversation.
​I’d love to talk with you more if you feel you’re ready to tackle that big dream! You can reach me at 512-265-6599. 

Be well, 
JoEllen