“All Of Us, At Certain Moments In Our Careers, Want A Little Advice and Assistance." Alexis Carrel
Many new clients express worries about what to say and how to start the career coaching relationship. Put your mind at ease, as the transition into career coaching is handled by…yes…the career coach! We are here to guide you into the process comfortably so that you can feel good about your new endeavor.
HERE ARE A LIST OF TOPICS TO GET YOU STARTED:
The Win. Wins are the purpose of career coaching. When you reach a career goal, accomplish a task, have something great happen to you, share these with your career coach. Sharing your wins with someone who cares, makes the win even more rewarding and sets you up powerfully for the next one.
The Problem. Your career has its share of problems. Just by talking about them, it takes away some of the sting. And, once you've been heard, the solution (and there is ALWAYS a solution) can present itself.
The Upset. Did something happen in your career that really knocked you for a loop? Did you blow a perfect opportunity (not possible, but you may still be upset by it, so let’s talk about it!)? Your career coach is trained to help you sort out what happened, so you can design a plan to prevent it from happening again.
The Dilemma. "Should I do X or Y?" Talk about your career options, and get some perspective. A career coach can help you make a better decision.
The Shift. People grow all the time in their careers, but periodically they really feel it. But, when you've had a shift, the world looks different. People have several shifts during their career. They are turning points worth sharing.
The Promise. Sometimes it helps to make a promise to your coach. I know I do to mine, particularly when I need to get something done that I don't trust myself to do on my own. Tell your coach exactly what you want to do and when you promise to do it by. Your coach wants to fully support promises which further your career goals.
Your Feelings. Yes, your feelings. Having a bad day? A good day? A blah day? Tell your career coach, tell your career coach, tell your career coach. Don't try to keep it a secret (your coach will usually know anyway). Your coach will get it and fully understand.
Your Fears. Do you ever hesitate? Get afraid? Stop part way? Share your fears and doubts about your career with your coach so you can get past them.
The Completion. Bogged down? Lacking energy, feeling fatigued? Well, clean out a closet and see what happens! Whenever you finish a project, complete a task, catch up on whiskered promises, make something right, you open your career to more good stuff. So, get complete about everything and keep your career coach posted on your achievements.
The New Idea. Have a great idea? Figured out how to make money in a new venture? So what if the T's aren't crossed yet or the idea was just put in the oven. Share your thoughts with the career coach, who is a safe space for even the more delicate and sensitive career ideas. Your coach won't debate the merits with you; she will listen and have you develop your thoughts to make the most out of your idea.
The Progress Report. How is your new business development plan coming? Your career search? The book you are writing? Discuss your progress during your coaching call.
The Value Created. From time to time, you will be asked to articulate the value and benefits you have received from working with your career coach. The value is there, but it takes a brief conversation once in a while to bring it to full realization.
The Advice and Feedback. Your career coach has experience that can benefit you. Feel free to get the best of your career coach's thinking, particularly useful given how well the career coach knows your strengths and style.
The Decision Made. If you make a significant decision between sessions, please keep your career coach informed. You'll be congratulated and acknowledged for your hard work and effort!
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