Group Coaching Day 12 of 12 - 7 Considerations for Coaches

On our 12th day of the 12 days of the holidays, I wanted to share with you what I have seen as 7 Essential items and Considerations for Coaches, which I hope you will reflect upon and integrate as you move into the New Year:

1. Being clear on what you want to focus on and create in your work. In today's world there is a lot of noise about what coaches should focus on and do. Where do you want to spend your time in your business? Who do you want to serve? What unique offerings do you want to create with your work.
2. Continued Investment in refining your skills -Working with groups is an art and science. What investment have you made lately in refining your skills? What courses would you like to take during 2011 to add onto your tool kit? What new skills will benefit you, and your clients?
3. Getting into action - As important as it is to keep abreast of the latest trends, with group coaching, training and working with groups, the most important thing is to get into action and actually work with groups. Don't fall into the trap of over-educating without practice. Look for, and create opportunities in the new year to work with groups - in person, or virtual.
4. Knowing what tools you have at hand - When was the last time you took stock of what coaching tools you have at your disposal? Take a quick inventory of what you have at hand, and what you may want to budget for in the new year.
5. Look at the sytems you have in place and what you need to not reinvent the wheel. What can become standard practice for you and your business? What systems do you have in the areas of tracking your coaching hours, invoicing, tracking expenditures, budgeting, registrations etc?
6. Track your results - What were the activities during 2010 that really gave you inpact or brough in business? Which ones sucked up a lot of time and have not given any return (now or perceived in the future). Focus on those tasks which will give you more impact and results.
7. Ask about the impact you are having - Quantifying and qualifying the benefits of coaching can sometimes be nebulous. Regularly ask your clients what impact and benefits the coaching is having for them. Feedback, both positive and constructive, can serve to point you in new and continued directions.

I hope that you have enjoyed all the holiday specials this year. They will all be available until December 31st - you can check them out here.

Wishing you a wonderfully prosperous, happy and healthy 2011.

Warm regards
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC
Group Coaching Essentials.com - Next Group Coaching Essentials class starts January 13th