So you're considering a career as a life, business or corporate coach, but wondering what's the best way to enter the field?
Do I need to do a training course? Do I need to get accredited? Where will I get clients, and do I have what it takes?
Most coaches agree on the best way to begin a coaching career: Work with someone who already is a coach! Simple eh?
In other words, work a month or two with a Coach; someone who has already built the type of business or career you want to have, and who can then help you do the same.
Only faster and more efficiently!
Here are some key steps:
1.) Interview 2-3 coaches to find out more about the career and lifestyle you would be getting into. They can tell you the good and the bad; how easy, or difficult it is, and how they got started.
2.) Hire a coach and experience coaching for yourself. But don't get coached on becoming a coach. Not just yet. Be coached on something else you want to achieve, or something you want to alter in your life. This will give you the best feel for whether or not this is the career for you.
It's actually the best training you can get. Training from a live course, teleclass or book is great. But there's no substitute for the experience of personally being coached, and seeing how an experienced coach moves you forward.
3.) Once you've decided to go ahead, consider professional coach training. This will give you resources, insights, tools and support. It will also help you to build your coach network; other coaches you can call on for help and advice. You should pick a school which has happy, successful coaches.
4.) Work with a coach to build your practice. Some people skip Step 3 and jump straight to working with a coach to enter the industry. People in this category are usually those with existing transferable skills (e.g. counseling, or a lot of personal development training), or people short on cash, and wanting to generate some revenue from coaching before they invest in a proper training course. A coach can help you avoid common mistakes, and build your practice faster, and with less effort than you would on your own.
5.) Determine what business systems you need in place? Where will you find clients? How will you keep your clients? And how do you keep your chin up when you lose three in one day!?
Enjoy!
David Wood is an IFC certified coach who has been coaching since 1998. During that time he has coached clients in 15 countries and mentored 90 other coaches. He currently focuses on helping others start or build coaching practices. You can learn more about David and the help he provides at SolutionBox.com.