What Do You Want?

If you ask a coach: “What should I do?” the first thing she'll do is ask you this question: “Well, what do you want?” We don't ask that question to be flip or annoying.  We ask “What do you want?” because it is literally the most important question in coaching.

You, as the client, set the goals for and the direction of the coaching relationship. Knowing where you want to go and what goals you'd like to achieve is essential to getting there and achieving them. It sets the tone, the agenda, and the framework for the very important work that you and your coach do. As Yogi Berra says: “If you don't know where you are going, you'll end up someplace else.”

I know, from personal experience, that being asked “What do you want?” can be very scary sometimes because we don't always know what we want. Sometimes we hide or bury our own feelings from ourselves and, instead focus on the wants, needs and desires of others.  This is especially true for wives, mothers and career professionals.

Sometimes, we're afraid to admit what we want because we're afraid of being judged, laughed at, and ridiculed, or because we know that getting it will require making major changes in our lives, relationships and/or careers.  A good coach can help you explore these feelings as well as the pros and cons of reaching for those goals or putting them on the back burner.

In any event, the very first thing a good coach will do is help you achieve a vision of where you'd like to go and what goals you'd like to achieve in your life and career.  Then she'd help you prioritize your goals so you can decide which one you'd like to tackle first.

So, what do you want? What are your goals? Maybe you want to discover your passions or your purpose in life. Maybe your goal is to get that promotion or that raise or to change careers or to move on or boost your self-esteem after a bad breakup or divorce. Maybe your goal is to find your dream job or to find a new position after a layoff or job loss.  I can help you with that.

Sign up for a clarity consultation. Let me help you create that vision and set you on the path to achieving it.