In the early 1990’s, few of us had heard about this
thing called the Internet. Now, the Internet is a
household word. Like the Internet, success coach
(also known as life coach or life purpose coach) is
a term you may not have heard a few years ago, but
now seems to be an integral part of our culture.
Even though I had heard about success coaches, I
realized that I didn’t really know that much about
them. Perhaps you feel the same way, so I decided
to turn to success coach, Carol James, for some
answers. If you recall, I recommended her web site
in the Sowing Seed column of the February 28, 2002
issue of Potential Rose.
Carol is the founder of Inspired Living and Inspired
Business. So, if you are thinking about starting a
business, want to reduce stress or build the career
of your dreams, Carol has developed numerous training
courses and workshops that have helped thousands of
people accomplish these and a variety of other goals.
Carol was a small business owner for 16 years and
has over 25 years of experience as a business
consultant. She is also an inspirational and
motivational speaker. Her new book entitled,
“Transformative Thinking” resulted from her vast
personal and professional experiences.
Here is our interview:
Dolores: What is success coaching?
Carol: Well, first the word "success" must be defined
because it means different things to different people.
For me, success means achieving the desired results
in my life, whether professionally, materialistically,
socially, personally or spiritually. So, for me,
success coaching is helping another achieve their
dreams.
Dolores: How long has success coaching been around
(approximately)?
Carol: Who knows? I would say that Jesus could have
been considered a coach because he helped people to
lead a better life. It seems to me that coaching
another person is a natural urge that people have,
so I would venture to say that coaching has been
around as long as people. Although they probably
didn't call it coaching, and certainly not success
coaching.
Dolores: How does one become a success coach?
Carol: First, they must want to be a coach and feel
passionate about doing so. Second, they must come
to understand how people operate - why they do the
things they do, how emotion influences their
thinking and actions, what gets in the way of success,
etc. They must also learn how to listen without
judgment, be compassionate and get themselves out
of the way (set aside their preconceived notions of
what they think is best for the person because the
goal in coaching is to help the person discover for
themselves what is best for them and how to achieve
it).
Dolores: Why did you become a success coach?
Carol: I didn't consciously choose to be a coach.
It happened because people started approaching me
for help as a result of my writings.
Dolores: What do you enjoy about coaching?
Carol: I enjoy helping people achieve their dreams.
I find it challenging to help people get to the core
of what they really want. Oftentimes, what people
think they want is more a reflection of their
parents, peers, fears or monetary quests, instead
of the passions and dreams of their heart. It's also
easy for me to see paths to accomplishment, so I
can help the person think outside their own
perspective and experience to discover a path they
may not be able to see for themselves. And then
there is nothing like the joy I feel when I hear of
their successes.
Dolores: What can you do for a client that they
can't do for themselves?
Carol: All that I do for a client they can do for
themselves, if they have reached the stage in their
life where they can clearly and honestly see who
they really are and if they understand how to get
from point A to point B (goal achievement).
The biggest obstacle, however, is seeing self
accurately, and that's where I come in. I can help
them see things about themselves that are preventing
them from achieving success that they may not be
able to see for themselves.
For instance, by listening to them talk about
themselves and what they want, I hear (and, if
coaching in person, I see through their body
language) beliefs, contradictions, fears or
behaviors that are contrary to what they say they
want. As an example, someonemay want to lose
weight, but they are focused on the excess weight
instead of focused on what it takes to be a slimmer
person.
My approach includes working with their beliefs,
perspectives, verbiage, emotions and actions. I also
have a ton of direct personal experience transforming
my own life, so I speak from experience and that
enables me to be more effective because I can relate
to what they are going through.
Dolores: How long does it take a client to achieve
results?
Carol: Each person is different. It really depends
on how much clarity, confidence, resistance or fear
they have and how devoted they are to doing whatever
is needed to get where they want to be. It also
depends on how much work they have already done on
themselves, what their beliefs are and what they've
already done toward their goals. Some results can
be achieved almost immediately (within days or
weeks), while others may take months or years.
Dolores: Is it expensive to hire a success coach?
Carol: Expense is relative to the perceived value,
so for some, the cost is too high, while for others
the cost is cheap. I think there are more important
issues, like:
Do I believe that a coach can help me reach my goals?
Do I feel comfortable with this coach's personality
and style of coaching?
Am I willing to put in the effort needed to make it
work?
After all, while the coach may be there for advice,
guidance and support, it's the person who must do
the work.
(End of interview)
Do you need a success coach? If so, here are some
guidelines on choosing one:
·Select and interview at least 3 coaches.
·Visit their web site to learn about their
background or ask them directly by email or
telephone.
·Ask for references.
If you are interested in working with Carol, her
contact information is:
Carol James
Founder, Inspired Living and Inspired Business
Box 21287
Concord, CA 94521-0287
(925) 363-9724
If you are interested in becoming a success coach
yourself, check out the following web sites:
Copyright 2002 Dolores G. Wix
