When I am coaching I like to take my clients backwards and then forwards to their future. I invite them to enter a virtual time machine: my coaching ‘Tardis’ if you like – and I first invite them to seize the controls and take it back 10 years. And then I ask them, “How would you have introduced yourself ten years ago? What are you doing? Where are you living?’ What do you want for yourself ten years on? How would you describe your life looking forwards 10 years?”

And then I bring them back to the present moment. This useful first step helps people to see the difference between their aspirations and their reality. They are able to reconnect with their ideals and their ambitions – and to reflect on where their choices have led them. 

Then I invite them to travel forwards, to 10 years into the future. I ask: ‘What is your life like? Where are you living? How do things look? Who are you associating with? Do you own any properties? What car do you drive? Is there anything that you would like to do in the next 10 years? Anything you would like to be? Anything you would like to have?’ 

For some people the aims will be value-driven and idealistic; for others, material gain will be important; and others will be planning to have children and build a family. There are no right or wrong answers – this is simply a powerful way to get people to think about and really focus on what they would want in the future. 

To achieve anything in life you need adopt the right behaviours. 

Everything we Think affects what we Say and what we Do. Everything we Do will depend on who we truly want to Be. By adjusting our thinking so that we are living as if our future is happening NOW – we will adjust the decisions that we make on a daily basis – and are much more likely to make that goal a reality. 

I always say that if you get the Do and the Be right, the Have should follow. 

As Steven Covey says ‘Begin with the end in mind’ 

TIME TRAVELLER’S TIPS FOR SETTING YOUR GOALS FROM THE FUTURE: 

1. Be clear, clarity is the key to success. Know what you want and why you want it.

Many goals are not achieved because they are too vague. ‘I want to go on holiday next year’ is unlikely to become a reality. Other questions need to be asked to gain clarity: Where? With whom? To do what? For how much? When?

Africa? Great. But where in Africa? An adventure holiday? Sounds lovely – but what kind of adventure? If you get stuck – get some advice. Talk to people. In the case of a holiday it could be advice from a travel guide, a web page or a travel agent; in the case of a business start-up it may mean joining Business Link or speaking to others in the same industry as you. Once you know why and where you are going – then you can take the actions necessary to get you there.

2. Dream big, reach for the moon if you don’t reach the moon at least you may land among the stars.

Dreams will only become reality if you take steps to turn them into practical actions. Taking action takes time and planning: and it takes no more time to plan a big outcome than a small one. So – when you are mapping your vision – take it as wide and broad as you can imagine it to be. See how large your comfort zone is at present and where it might extend to in the future. Decide where you are aiming for now – but keep your future possibilities in view too.

Thinking back to that African adventure: you might begin with a package tour to the Gambia but have in mind a train ride across the whole continent. Anything is possible if you begin to live as if your future is happening now.

3. Create a vision board with everything that represents your end goal, pictures, power words and phrases.

The mind is stimulated by all our senses. Images, words, sounds, flavours, touch – all of these will reinforce the messages we send to our brain. Africa becomes more tangible if you start to surround yourself with images, music, foods, patterns and fabrics from the region. A business dream will become more of a reality if you begin to read business magazines, watch business programmes, put images of the material goals that you want to achieve on your wall, have your business plan on your wall – and so on.

Whatever your personal dream or vision – surround yourself with whatever inspires you to achieve it. Change it over time so that it is always current and reflecting the true nature of your ambitions. As the saying goes: ‘Be careful what you wish for – you might just get it!’

4. Imagine you are being interviewed for a TV show or magazine after you have achieved your goal. The interviewer asks you, how you did it. What attitudes and behaviours contributed to your success?

Each of us is a ‘self’ expert. We know our strengths and our weaknesses. It can be helpful to do a stock check of skills to see what is driving you forward and what is holding you back. Are your fears getting in your way? Face them head on and if necessary get some professional advice or training in that areas. You will be surprised at how quickly the getting of experience can make fears a thing of the past.  My friend and mentor Peter Thomson once asked me the following questions, why not ask yourself right now….

What do you need to START doing?

Take action? Set achievable goals? Monitor your progress? Seek advice? Get a makeover? Get a mentor? 

What do you need to STOP doing?

Procrastinating? Living in the past? Having regrets? Blaming others? Putting yourself down? 

What do you need to do LESS of?

Spending? Watching TV? Eating junk food? Putting everyone else’s needs ahead of your own? 

What do you need to do MORE of?

Networking? Socialising? Saving money? Planning? Taking action? 

5. Identify who can help you and who you may need to avoid

People are more willing to help others to achieve their goals than you may imagine. If you know someone who has the skills to help you – approach them and ask them for their advice. Find a mentor, who can help you in an objective way, and will shortcut your route to success. Identifying who you need to avoid can be one of the trickier ones. Are there people close to you who undermine your ambitions? Who are happy to have you stay the way you are because a change would threaten their status quo? At the end of the day, the only person who knows what is right for you – is you. Others will catch up with you eventually if they care about you. Be brave, follow your dreams and start living today as if they are already a reality. 

Now -  step back inside that time machine and think back from the future to the first thing you did that set you on the right track towards your goal. What was it? Be very clear and precise about it and see yourself doing it. 

Begin it now and take the first step into a future you can be proud of.

Written by Bev James, Managing Director The Coaching Academy

Pam Lidford, The Coaching Academy trainer has been an integral part of the tutor team for a number of years, presenting Accelerator days as part of the Personal Performance Coaching Diploma, Youth Impact Coaching Diploma and the CPD for Coaches program. We’ve put her on the coaching hotseat to answer your questions:-

If you want to attract more clients, I recommend:

If you want to attract more clients, start believing that you will.  Handle any negative mind chatter, overcome any challenges around charging and asking for payment, gather testimonials and share them with new prospective clients.  Start asking for what you want, in the nicest possible way.  Are you already listening to friends, family, colleagues and then asking them questions to help them with their goals and challenges?  If so, and they are getting results, ask them who they know who might be interested in having you do the same for them for a fee.

My best advice for marketing your coaching business is:

My best advice for marketing your coaching business is networking.  I recommend you let people know what you do!  Sounds obvious but you might be surprised how many fantastic, skilled coaches are hiding their talents too shy to chat about coaching when they are out and about.

People probably don’t know that:

People probably don’t know that I am a classic romantic (Ann Skidmore told me that!)

My favourite self-development book is: 

My favourite self-development book is the Monk Who Sold His Ferrari

The most inspiring speaker I have ever heard is:

The most inspiring speaker I have ever heard is Tony Robbins

If I was alone on a desert island, I would need to have (three luxuries that don’t include family members, pets or friends) with me:

If I was alone on a desert island, I would need to have (three luxuries that don’t include family members, pets or friends) with me: my laptop, shade and lots of water.

My favourite place in the world is…:

My home.

The most unusual thing I have ever done is:

The most unusual thing I have ever done is jumped off a telegraph pole! (I did have a harness on at the time)

My definition of success is:

Being in the moment whilst working towards what I want.  I get clear about how I would like things to be in an area of my life, then I visualise the outcome I desire (just for a few seconds each day for say a week), then I trust it will happen whilst taking regular and consistent actions towards it.  The real success is being present and  enjoying the moment whether I’m working, being with my family or friends, reading or learning something new.

Dawn Harvey, The Coaching Academy trainer is part of the Small Business Coaching Tutor team and we’ve put her on the coaching hotseat to answer your questions:-

1. My favourite coaching question is…

There are so many great questions.  I don’t have an absolute favourite.  One that I like a lot, that’s useful in giving an instant sense of perspective is, “In the bigger scheme of things, how important is this to you?”

2. The question that often elicits a breakthrough or ‘aha’ moment is…

There are two that spring to mind here: a) “What are you assuming here?” and b) “Where are you limiting yourself?”

For example , I was working with the owner of a very small business who had, had good success with a very small market and was now looking to expand to a larger more financially lucrative market with the product.

D.H. “Let’s brainstorm the different market options open to you.”
A.B. “I’m feeling so stuck with this, I don’t think I can.”
D.H. “What does ‘stuck’ feel like to you?”
A.B. “It’s like I’m stamping on my brakes really hard.”
D.H. “As you stamp on your brakes, what are some of the assumptions you’re making about your options?”
A.B. “People won’t see this as important.  People won’t pay for it. It will cost more than people can afford. I’m assuming people don’t have the money for this.”
D.H. “Let me check I understand what you are saying here.  You are assuming that… Is that correct?”
A.B. “Yes, but when you say it like that I can see I’m making lots of assumptions with no evidence to back it up.”
D.H. “So what does that tell you.”
A.B. “That I’m putting up my own barriers.”
D.H. “So where are you limiting yourself?”
A.B. “By not believing in the value of what I offer. But more than that I’m limiting myself by not really believing I can do this.”

This was the “aha” moment that released the brakes in this session.  Once the limiting beliefs were dealt with A.B. went on the brainstorm new markets and decided on two to pursue further.

3. What advice would you give for dealing with a challenging coaching situation?

I work with many ‘action orientated’ people who often want results fast.  This can lead to them wanted answers from me rather than doing the work to find their own answers.  If this potential problem has not been addressed in the initial intake or relationship design session it can lead to a breakdown in the relationship.
I prevent this happening by always making sure this is addressed head on and upfront with a new client.  If my potential client is not happy with my non-directive approach than I may not be the right coach for them.

4. What is your top selling business tip?

My top business building tip is:

• It’s crucial to continue to market your services when you ARE busy.
• If you want to attract more clients, I recommend
• Get yourself out there!  Attend networking events, write pieces for your local paper.
• Talk to everyone about what you do – you never know who they know.
• Make a list of dream clients and tell people that you are looking for introductions to these people – again, you don’t know who knows who.
• Don’t be afraid to pick the phone up and call people.
• My best advice for marketing your coaching business is
• Ask for testimonials and make sure potential clients see them.

5. People probably don’t know that I…

Have written a novel.

6. My favourite self-development book is:

Eckhart Toll – “The Power of Now” because it happens to be my current read and although it’s a little ‘out there’ in places it resonates with something deep inside me.  It’s about being fully present in the moment.  The less you strive for fulfilment, the more fulfilment will find you. The best coaching book I have ever read is Myles Downey ‘Effective Coaching’ because it’s one of the first coaching books I ever read and it got me hooked.

7. The most inspiring speaker I have ever heard is:

Oprah Winfrey – because she has overcome many obstacles in her life to be the success she is but mainly because she walks her talk.

8. If I was alone on a desert island, I would need to have (three luxuries that don’t include family members, pets or friends) with me:

• A very large book
• Sunscreen
• Shampoo

9. My favourite place in the world is…

On top of a hill in the middle of nowhere on a bright, breezy day because when I’m out walking in the fresh air I feel totally recharged and energised.

10. The most unusual thing I have ever done is…

Not necessarily unusual but certainly rather embarrassing – a ran 5k for charity with my underwear on top of my clothes.

11. My definition of success is:

Freedom to make my own choices.

12. The thing I most love about coaching is…

The coaching process is incredibly empowering and I love the portability and adaptability of it. A coaching intervention that makes a huge difference can take place very informally as part of a conversation and the skills to do this are transferable to all aspects of business, work and life.

Life Coach Jenifer Harper shares her thoughts on why, NOW, at the age of 70, she decided to take up the idea of becoming a Professional Coach…

Dear Kris 

Just some thoughts, some more connected than others, on why, NOW, I decided to take up the idea of being a Professional Coach. 

First thought:  the Free Two Day course attracted me because I was, just past 70, at yet another point of change and thought I could use what was on offer to realign and focus some of my urgent options that were still a bit hazy and indeed felt overwhelming.   There isn’t a point at which life stops offering choices, or barriers, and it’s daft to get old without getting crafty.  It takes better technique to cope with obstacles and after a rather long life planning mostly for others it seemed a good point to spend some of that thinking-time on me. 

So I came along just for the stimulation, to pick up some tips, but the revelation over the two days was that here was something I recognised as already potentially in place.  In the exercises we did together, in twos, or threes,  I got such positive feedback from my fellow potential coaches that I thought, “Yes, this is using stuff I’ve done, or experienced, in a new, fresh way, that lets me support and stimulate others without having to go over, or even refer to, my personal life experience.”  I have absolutely no experience at all of business but one of the exercises, working on someone’s business plan, showed me how powerful the GROW method is, and how even in unpractised hands it can clearly work, and help.   

Not all of us more senior students have boundless energy and fitness and one of the most powerful side-effects of working through the study materials, the DVDs and the Accelerator Days, has been a huge boost of positivity.  This comes from recognising how much of the thinking chimes in with parts of one’s life that one has, frankly, forgotten, or never properly evaluated.  We just don’t give ourselves enough credit; achievements can slide out of mind, and one of the most attractive elements of coaching for me is the joy of reflecting back to someone else just how much he or she has already done, and can do.  It’s good to be listened to attentively by someone without any agenda save that of coaching you to use your own capacities to the full and achieve that dream.  

Have I mentioned that it is also fun?  And that I can do it sitting down?  And that the Coaching Academy, like my fellow aspiring coaches, seems totally age-blind?  

True, there is a great deal to study and absorb, and put into practice, as there should be when preparing to lend a hand with someone else’s life and dreams.  It’s a serious job with so much potential, and other coaches are generous with their time both as Coach and Coachee.  I think what I enjoy most is the feeling of doing something useful that looks forward to success, for my client, of course, and deep satisfaction for me. 

I hadn’t expected to find a niche that feels such a good fit and also offers a realistic opportunity for varied work on a professional basis. 

Jenifer Harper

As a sought after speaker and workshop facilitator, Mike Blissett has worked in the UK and Europe, and has also helped train thousands of new coaches in his position as trainer with The Coaching Academy. His unique style, wit and intuitive knowledge of the human psyche has helped many hundreds of people develop better ways of working together, as well as living a more fulfilling life themselves.

 Mike shares his top 5 Coaching Questions:-

If you want to attract more clients, I recommend:

Meet as many people in the area you want to coach in as possible. Network, join groups and organisations, take part in forums, debates, accept invitations to presentations, and be proactive with any online marketing and social media you’re interested in. Two great nuggets of advice I was given several years ago and by which I run my business are:

1. ‘People buy people before they buy products and services.’ This means, at some level and to a certain degree, future potential clients need to ‘get’ who you are first before they buy coaching. You can build your profile up face-to-face, or via a regular newsletter or Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Linked-In, and all the other amazing online tools out there nowadays.

2. ‘People buy from people they know, like and trust’ – and it’s the last point, ‘trust’ that can take a while, which is why being a regular networker, attender of events, speaker, or social media writer can make such a difference. Simply, when people get to know you or your articles, when they need a coach they’ll automatically think of you rather than search the internet for other coaches they don’t yet know.

My best advice for marketing your coaching business is:

As above, and also sooner rather than later devise your own marketing strategy/plan. Many businesses have a business plan, though far fewer think about marketing as an on-going development area for growing their business. The more you diarize and book appointments with yourself to update your Blog, website, newsletter, send out those letters of introduction, follow-up on emails and phone calls the better results you’ll see. Planning and running your coaching practice as an efficient, well-oiled business is as important as having great coaching skills and working with clients to get great results.  

People probably don’t know that:

I used to play the trombone at Music College and in an orchestra.

My favourite self-development book is:

There are thousands, though the two that changed my life at the right time were:

• ‘Take Charge of Your Life’ by Louis Proto, 1988. Living in Lincolnshire, working full time and singing in a band, I read this book and three weeks later moved to London ready to begin building the life I really wanted.
• ‘Be Your Own Life Coach’ by Fiona Harrold, 2001. In January 2003 I read this book, and 3 weeks later at the beginning of February was sat in my first Coaching Academy Certificate training weekend having decided to be a coach. Fiona’s style is no-nonsense and directive, and I am very much a non-directive coach – though most importantly, her book showed me a light, it sparked my imagination and got me moving in the right direction. Fiona became a good personal friend, and I’m so grateful her book shouted, ‘buy me, buy me’ that day in the bookshop.

The most inspiring speaker I have ever heard is:

Topher Morrison – he’s a brilliant motivational speaker, and also happened to be my trainer in Clinical Hypnotherapy and Sport Hypnosis. I find him authentic, fun, full of life and totally absorbing to listen to. His thirst for life is infectious.  

If I was alone on a desert island, I would need to have (three luxuries that don’t include family members, pets or friends) with me:

1. My iPhone – not just for the phone, internet, diary etc., but also the apps – especially Scrabble, which I play every time I’m on the tube in London. As someone who used to be bottom of the class and get maybe 1 or even zero out of ten for spelling tests at primary school, I’ve come a long way and have currently won 88% of all scrabble games played against the computer on my iPhone (171 games and counting) – I’m so proud!

2. Books, all types of books. I got out of the habit for several years, until last year included ‘must read an hour a day’ on my wheel of life. I alternate personal development books and thrillers, and yesterday bought Dan Brown’s ‘The Lost Symbol’ before training on the Certificate in Personal Coaching event in Brighton.

3. My Sony Vaio laptop. I love to write, Blog, Twitter, add articles for my website, watch movies (including the brilliant ‘Invictus’ on the train to Manchester a few weeks ago). PS: Are power sockets and the internet included as ‘standard’, or would they be listed as 2 extra ‘luxuries’ on the Island? I think I need to see the Desert Island contract before I sign…

My favourite place in the world is:

New York – they don’t say it twice by coincidence, it’s required…and it is THAT good. I have distant family there, some good friends, loads of happy memories (and some I’d sooner forget). A truly special place.

The most unusual thing I have ever done is:

Taken part in an observed coaching session with a 15^th century street urchin in full tatty close, no shoes and dirty face garb (him, not me), as part of a Royal Shakespeare Company season by Spanish playwright Cervantes that had been translated into old Shakespeare style English. People paid to sit in the auditorium and listen to our encounter on stage. Originally I was invited to Stratford-upon-Avon to do this, and then a few months later when the season transferred to London was asked to repeat the exercise. It was unscripted, slightly scary, loads of fun, and the actors that played the part of the street urchin where very generous and supportive working with me. Phew!

My definition of success is:

Being able to do what we love to do, and to be successful enough so that it enables us to carry on doing it. I call that ‘being blessed’.

The thing I most love about coaching is:

The people. Maybe it’s a bit of a cliché, but everyone is different and has a unique connection with the world. No two clients are alike. For me, it keeps coaching fresh, exciting, cutting edge, and ever evolving. Plus, at the end of the process to hear a client say, ‘thank you, this/you made a difference’ is the bit that’s worth more than money. So, just to say again, in one word; people.

Duncan Gee, The Coaching Academy trainer as part of the Youth Impact Coaching Diploma and creator of “The M.A.G.I.C Programme” shares his top 5 Coaching Questions:-

If you want to attract more clients, I recommend,

I used to say you can coach in all areas. Yes you can, however if you find a niche you can market yourself better and become a specialist in that area. Join a business building breakfast club. Be proud of your profession and have an elevator speech ready when you speak to people about your service.

My best advice for marketing your coaching business is

Be authentic is my best piece of advice. I have met people that aren’t being themselves and it stands out a mile. Never miss an opportunity to tell people what you do. Local magazines are always looking for people to spotlight.

People probably don’t know that

I am a keen cyclist and I will be doing a ride for the charity ‘bully free zone’ next year from Northwest England to the Southwest of France - approx 1200 miles.

My favourite self-development book is

‘What matters most’ by Hyrum W Smith. 

The most inspiring speaker I have ever heard is

‘Secret Habits of Successful Bastards’ Adrian Maile and Melissa Roskell.  

If I was alone on a desert island, I would need to have (three luxuries that don’t include family members, pets or friends) with me:

A fishing rod, case of wine, fire lighters.

My favourite place in the world is…

India - the Hindu people are friendly, kind and have no egos.

The most unusual thing I have ever done is

 Nipping behind a tree in Norway for a discreet pee and the cliff giving way, not discreet anymore! – 100ft down cut bruises and broken leg.

My definition of success is:

People often say it will be OK when we get there. It is knowing where ‘there’ is and what you are happy with that will define success. Once you have reached where you want to be in life it is about enjoying every minute of it.   

The thing I most love about coaching is

Seeing people move to self empowerment mode – truly awesome!

Kris Robertson, UK’s leading Coach Mentor/Supervisor and Operations Director of The Coaching Academy shares his top 5 Coaching Questions:-

 1.  What else? 

For me probably THE most powerful of questions.  The beauty is both in its simplicity and the suggestion in the question that there IS something else.  Far more powerful than the closed version ”Is there anything else?” which I often hear on practical assessment calls.  The difference simply that the ‘What’ prompts the brain to search and find, whereas the ‘Is there’ results in either a ‘Yes’ or a ‘No’, often with very little need for thought.  Repetition of this question yields the best results. 

2.  If you could wave a magic wand? 

A fantastic way to bypass any obstacles the client may have in mind when considering the options available to them.  Great for clients who often edit their options or who struggle thinking of a range of different possible ways to approach their goal. 

3.  Tell me about a time in which you have completed something similar to this before. 

A great question to help the client identify the strategies they have used previously which have been successful from which you can then ask ‘What went well?’, ‘What did you learn as a result of this?’, ‘How might you go about things differently this time?’ etc.  Really useful to help your client identify the evidence that they have that they CAN be successful this time.  Avoid closing this question down by asking ‘Have you ever…?’ 

4.  What will be the impact of things staying the same? 

A challenging question which helps your client consider the implications of not taking any action.  Helping raise their awareness and increase their motivation to take action in order to avoid the consequences of inertia.  Also a useful question to ask as occasionally it helps a client realise that actually, they don’t want the outcome they have suggested enough, or they are content with their current situation.

 5.  What have you learned from this session? 

I always think it is a positive and professional way to end a coaching session with a ‘wisdom-accessing’ question along these lines.  Plus, as an assumptive, it suggests that the client HAS learned something.  For me, it then makes it far easier to finish by asking for a referral or booking my client in for a further package of coaching sessions once they have had an opportunity to talk through the fantastic outcomes they have taken away from the session. 

Happy Coaching!

• What attracted you to coaching

About 2 years ago I started to hear about coaching from reading articles in magazines and receiving marketing emails from companies.  I run a training company and felt that the delegates on my training courses would benefit from something a little bit extra from me.  Coaching seemed the most logical addition to my business to complement my skills as a trainer/mentor.  The Coaching Academy had been sending me emails for months about their introductory weekend to coaching and in December 2008 I took the plunge and went along to one of the weekends.  It was the best thing I ever did as it has really enhanced the way I train, mentor and coach people.

• What was your profession before becoming a coach

I worked in recruitment and human resources for over 13 years before starting up my training business 4 years ago. I still operate my training business where I train people in the art of recruiting.  I also work with a government agency to help young people find employment as well as running my coaching business.

• Why did you choose The Coaching Academy

After attending the introductory weekend I was impressed by the level of professionalism the coaches showed running the weekend and the structure of the company.  But what really sold it for me was that The Coaching Academy was running The Diploma in Youth Impact Coaching.  Seeing youth succeed in life and be given every possible chance of success is a real passion of mine.  I have been working with young people for the last 4 years helping them to build confidence and self esteem to gain employment and helping them through the whole process of getting a job.  The Youth Impact course was perfect.  I could see how the modules would help me get the best out of young people.

• What is your coaching niche and why did you choose it

My niche is coaching youth to build confidence and self esteem so they can secure the college or university place they deserve or find the job they really want.  I also coach adults in making career decisions.  I chose these niches due to my recruitment and human resource experience which certainly adds credibility.  But it is the love I have for helping people become fulfilled and happy by getting the job they really want, college or university place they deserve and seeing them succeed in life.

• What is your favorite coaching question

If time, money, people, external influences were not an issue, what would you like to be, do and have in life?

• What do you enjoy most about being a coach

I really enjoy seeing young people I coach flourish and develop into confident, self aware, motivated people. I get great pleasure and satisfaction when they call me to tell me how they have got a job and really love it or secured the university place they really wanted.

• What success have you achieved so far with your coaching business

Having been inspired by Duncan Gee when I attended his M.A.G.I.C. youth impact coaching accelerator day and learnt about BE, DO, HAVE and watching Bill Glazer and Peter Thompson talk about how information products are the way to reach the masses with your message, I decided to bite the bullet and produce my own product!  It was a major challenge and a big investment of time and money but I had a real bee in my bonnet about reaching as many young people as possible to help them realise their full potential and help them write their personal statements and CVs.  I really wanted to see all young people be given the same opportunities of success at interviews.  After only two and a half months I went from an idea to a final DVD/CD set product which launched on 15th December 2009.  It is being advertised on Amazon, Ebay, my website (Paypal) http://firebirdtraining.com/shop.aspx , on Gumtree, FridayAd and I have three YouTube clips running:

How to write your CV http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuEWAaSWjZ8,
CV Writing to get an interview http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-iN5JM5CbA,
How to get an interview – writing a CV http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B64sPWEks2s. 

I am not technical at all so all of this has been a major uphill struggle but it has been worth it.  I have had some fantastic reviews of the DVD from parents, youth workers, young people and fellow coaches.  I have created my own coaching tools using Be, Do, Have and used these with the young people in the first half of the DVD to get them to think about what makes them great.  These worksheets are available on the CD along with a 46 page step by step guide, CV templates and CV examples.  Without attending Duncan Gee’s accelerator day I would not have thought about getting the best out of young people using this method.  

You can read the comments, watch the video clips and get a copy of the DVD from http://firebirdtraining.com/shop.aspx. 

• What is the best thing that could happen to your coaching business in the next 2 years

Over the next two years my goals for my business are to produce a series of coaching/instructional DVD/CD sets for young people on helping them get college or university places and jobs.  My vision for this side of my coaching business is to reach as many young people aged 16-24 in the UK as possible so they all have the same chance of success whilst generating me passive income.  I am also focusing on getting 8 youth coaching clients and 2 adult coaching clients a month by the end of 2010.  The best thing that could happen for my business is that I get a number of affiliates to promote and sell the DVD/CD sets, which in turn convert product sales into coaching clients, generating so much work that I will need to employ associates to help me coach my clients.  

• What are your favorite personal development books

I love Brian Mayne’s Goal Mapping book and tools.  He truly inspired me when I attended his accelerator days with The Coaching Academy on Goal Mapping and Sam the magic genie.  I did a goal map on how I was going to go about producing my new DVD/CD product back in August 2009, by October 2009 I had started filming the product and by December 2009 it was produced and ready for sale.

• What are your top five tips to new coaches just starting out on their journey

• Just get out there and do it!
• Believe in yourself and others will believe in you.
• Set specific dates and targets against your business goals.
• Specialise and get a niche.
• Surround yourself with positive people.

Qualifications gained through The Coaching Academy in 2009:

• Advanced Diploma in Coaching
• Diploma in Personal Performance Coaching
• Diploma in Youth Impact Coaching

Contact:            Alison Mannell
Tel:                  01892 549651 or 07982 055715
Email:              Alison@firebirdtraining.co.uk
Website:            www.firebirdtraining.co.uk
Link to DVD/CD product page: http://firebirdtraining.com/Shop.aspx

• What attracted you to coaching?

After spending the last 15 years in the world of corporates, I was looking for something that gave me more purpose and more satisfaction than simply selling computer systems.

I had originally trained in HR and have always been fascinated in the world of psychology and completed an NLP qualification in 2006, but when I came across coaching it felt like coming home.

There is nothing quite as satisfying than knowing that you have had a positive impact on someone’s life.

• What was your profession before becoming a coach?

I have done a number of things after leaving college in 1994 but they have primarily been focused around Information Technology. 

I have been the Director of IT for a premiership football club (I won’t say which one in case I offend anyone), ran a small IT business with a friend, and worked in large corporate such as Dell and Fujitsu.

This has all been excellent training for coaching and for setting up my coaching practice and I don’t regret a moment of it.

• Why did you choose The Coaching Academy?

When looking for my sense of purpose I stumbled upon an advert for the weekend and sign up straight away.  At first I was very sceptical, but as the weekend progressed I knew it was the right thing to do and that the Academy was the place to learn.

For me, the focus on the practical elements of the qualification really appealed as I didn’t want just head knowledge, I wanted to have real, hands on experience, with support.

The Academy stood head and shoulders above the rest.

• What is your coaching niche and why did you choose it?

When you start at the Academy, finding your niche is one of the first lessons and the importance is stressed throughout the training.  I have found it very hard to define mine and so decided not to let that hold me back and started up as a performance coach, confident in the knowledge that my niche will appear.

Looking at it now, there are definitely some trends appearing in what clients I am attracting in all my areas of work, so will be looking to clarify my focus over the next few months.

The important thing for me was to start something and not to be paralysed by not knowing the niche.  As Anthony Robbins says “Winning starts with beginning!”

• What is your favourite coaching question?

There are so many great questions out there but my favourite is the Cartesian Co-Ordinates.  For those who haven’t come across them yet, it is simply asking 4 questions to check the validity of the clients proposed actions.

The questions are

• What will happen if you do this?
• What will happen if you don’t do this?
• What will not happen if you do this?
• What will not happen if you don’t do this?

They scrambled people’s normal thinking patterns and is a great way to cut through any veneer and get to their heart of their issues.  As people get to questions 3 and 4 they suddenly realise that what they thought they wanted, they don’t really.  I have done some powerful change work with just these questions

• What do you enjoy most about being a coach?

It is an honour to be let into people’s lives and businesses and seeing people change and succeed is such an amazing feeling.  I have had the privilege of working with people who were at their lowest ebb, and walk them through getting new jobs, new relationships and totally changing their outlook. 

I could not think of a better thing to do with my time.

• What success have you achieved so far with your coaching business?

I started the business in Dec 2009 with some set goals and targets around customers and revenues and I am pleased to say that I have achieved every one. 

I have a wide variety of paying clients in personal coaching, 2 large corporate coaching contracts with some very prestigious companies, 4 small business clients and 2 youth coaching contracts.  All in two months.

Given the short time I have been in business I am very pleased with the results, and truly believe it is because I am following my passion.  Too many people follow the money, but I have simply stayed true to by true definite purpose and watched the work come in.

• What is the best thing that could happen to your coaching business in the next 2 years?

Like most people I am keen to set up some product based revenues and have a number of new ideas which are going to launch over the next few months and I plan to focus a great deal of energy in getting these right. 

I believe in having multiple income streams as it is essential to be able to protect the business and to allow me to live the life I want and give my time to the things that really matter.

• What are your favourite personal development books?

I demolish books at a frightening rate but there are a number that have had the biggest impact.  For me my top 5 would be

• 7 Habits Of Highly Successful People – Stephen Covey
• Blink – Malcolm Gladwell
• Losing My Virginity – Richard Branson
• Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill
• Who Moved My Cheese – Spencer Johnson

As I spend a lot of time driving, I use an audio book download service and will often read (listen) to a book every two days!

• What are your top five tips to new coaches just starting out on their journey?

Coaching is such a wide and important area, 5 tips don’t quite seem enough but here goes

• Start something – I have seen and spoken to too many coaches who don’t feel they can start until they have websites, business cards, bank accounts etc.  Just get on and do something, you will be surprised how much of the other stuff is just noise keeping you away from what you need to do.
• Follow your passion – There is no point coaching corporates if corporates turn your stomach.  Spend some time thinking about what you are passionate about and then focus your business on that.  Don’t worry if it doesn’t come straight away, mine hasn’t, just trust that it will. 
• Fill your mind with positivity – There is a lot news out there, some good, some bad and it all affects how your mind works.  Getting your attitude right is key to success and your clients will notice whether you think they will or not.  Choose to be positive every day.
• Don’t rely on a single source of income – Work in one area can dry up over night, so spread your business out and look at how you can create multiple streams of income from your coaching niche.  Write a book, an e-course or look to do teleseminars, the options are endless
• Use technology – A great deal of my business has come from using Twitter, Facebook, Linked and technologies like auto responders.  They do all the work for me once they are set up and have help me dramatically increase my web presence and reach.  I am fortunate, because of my background I have the knowledge to do this myself, but find someone who knows how to market on the web and stay close to them.  Remember this is not always the person that can put up a website; marketing is different to web design!

By James Barton – For more information on James visit www.personalperformancecoaching.com

I am one of The Coaching Academy’s biggest fans. I was on the very first programme in October 1999 and wrote the following about my experience:

“This has been a fabulous weekend. I have enjoyed myself immensely and couldn’t sleep last night because there was so much I wanted to think about! I know my coaching has improved 100% during the weekend.”

I am now one of the Coaching Academy’s training team and deliver programmes for the Corporate & Executive Coaching Programme and the NLP Practitioner, amongst other courses.

My favourite coaching question is: “If you were coaching yourself what coaching question would you ask yourself right now?” The question that really elicits a breakthrough or ‘aha’ moment is: “What do you already know that you want to achieve if nothing stood in your way?” Sometimes when clients get ‘stuck’, they make pictures or create sounds or feelings which inhibit them taking action. For example, one client told me he really wanted to go ice-skating with his children yet he created pictures of getting injured so he didn’t even try to learn. He had created pictures of injuries rather than pictures of enjoying skating with his children! By doing some work on creating new pictures, sounds and feelings he was on his skates and having a fabulous time.

My advice for dealing with a challenging coaching situation is: Of course not to give advice. However, when I’m mentoring a coach I share with them my own experience of facing a challenging situation. I say to myself, “Come on Ann you can handle this. It will increase your flexibility and give you even more confidence in your coaching ability.” Another way of handling it is to say, “Life only throws challenges to those who can handle them.”

My top business building tip is: Decide what type of clients you would most love to work with and then go where they go to find them and let them be excited about working with you and your coaching skills.
If you want to attract more clients, I recommend: Go where they are – my latest clients are on the golf course at my local Health and Golf complex. I don’t need to play golf – just to sit in the lovely sunny café and there they are!

My best advice for marketing your coaching business is: Get yourself seen and noticed. Deliver an event where people can experience your skills in action. People like to ‘try something before they may purchase it’.

People probably don’t know that: I used to belong to Michael Crawford’s fan club and he used to send me personally signed Christmas cards each year.

My favourite self-development book is: how can I choose just one!! I love The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey (Free Press, 1990) because it is so practical and makes great sense – we need to be effective with people and efficient with resources.Yet often companies try to be efficient with people and effective with resources. Coaching is all about effectiveness of course!

The best coaching book I have ever read is: Coaching for Performance (Nicholas Brealey Publishing, 3rd ed., 2002) by Sir John Whitmore because he was someone who inspired me over a decade ago when I was doing my Masters in NLP.

The most unusual thing I have ever done is: Power lifting – I can lift nearly twice my body weight (except just after Christmas)!

My biggest goal is to: Double my business – I am updating both of my websites to include videos, audio pieces and more free downloadable documents.

My definition of success is: To do what you love to do and you never need work again because it isn’t work, it is enjoyment and pleasure.

The thing I most love about coaching is: the small and large changes it creates in people’s lives and the privilege of being a part of that change that being a coach brings.

You can contact Ann Skidmore via the Coaching Academy, info@the-coaching-academy.com

Meet Ann on the The Coaching Academy’s “Corporate and Executive Coaching programme