Everyone Needs A Coach

Elite athletes know it. Executives know it. But what about the rest of us?

If you want to accomplish more out of life, get a coach.

I used to wonder why elite athletes hired coaches. In fact athletes at the top of their sport often have multiple coaches: one for technique, one for strength and conditioning, and one for mental performance.  Why so many coaches if they are elite?

Because elite athletes know that the difference between winning and losing is often fractions of a second.  Think about Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps. His gold medals were often won by a 100th of second. That’s tight competition and any extra performance an athlete can get out of their process is worth the coaches they employ.

Leaders in organizations get coaching. If they are so talented, why do they need coaching?  It’s because of what we all know but sometimes forget, it’s hard to live inside yourself and outside yourself at the same time. Executive coaches can give feedback for greater clarity on goals and performance and they can challenge people to become better leaders with improved communication and vision.

Coaches work with us to become our best selves and champion our process by holding us accountable and giving us necessary feedback.  Sometimes coaches are experts and can help in the things we don’t know but need to know. Sometimes coaches help us create better plans of action so we can accomplish out of life what we haven’t been accomplishing.

I’ve been coaching people for what seems like my entire life. I was working with elementary students when I was in junior high, when I was in high school I mentored 7th and 8th graders, and when I was in college I worked with high schoolers. I worked in student development at a university after college. I’ve coached thousands of people to build their careers, transition from one job to another, and most importantly, to become their best selves.

This year I hired a coach.  If I’m such a good coach (and I am) why in the world would I need a one? For exactly what I said before, it’s hard to live inside yourself and outside yourself at the same time.

For the last couple of months I’ve been working with Sid Garza-Hillman (www.sidgarzahillman.com). Sid is a nutritionist, author, speaker, and podcaster.  I found Sid though another podcast and he sounded like the exact person I wanted for a coach.

So what did I need help with?

In the last 10+ years I’ve made some significant lifestyle changes resulting in a 70+ pound weight loss and improved health. What I’ve learned over the last year is that while I’ve lost a lot of weight I haven’t changed my relationship to food. Food at times still seems like my enemy and I wanted to sort that out.

It would seem that from the issue I wanted to work on, that Sid and I would focus mostly on food and my diet. Actually, it was the opposite. Sid worked with me on establishing small steps of action to create new habits in other areas of my life. The idea is that if I can establish new patterns of behavior in small ways (like playing my guitar 5 minuets every Friday) I can translate that strategy to improving my relationship with food.

It seems counter intuitive, but it’s actually brilliant.  When I work with people, often the presenting problem, is not the real problem. For example, sometimes people want to improve their careers, but by improving their health first, their careers improve as well. Improving one area of life will have a ripple effect to others.

What was helpful about working with Sid is that he helped me create new patterns of action but without adding stress to my life. Sid’s philosophy is that if a new goal stresses you out, then you are likely not to work on that goal.

After working with Sid, has my relationship with food improved? Yes and no.  I am more relaxed about food than before, but old patterns of thinking are hard to break. The work that I will do now is to continue working on the goals in the other areas my life and make small steps each week to improve my relationship with food. I have more confidence now than before that this change will happen.

Having a coach is a powerful experience because you are working with someone who is working for you. Coaches give you feedback that others won’t. Coaches give you accountability and encouragement. Coaches provide insight. With that type of help, it’s hard not to move forward in life.

Does everyone need a coach? Absolutely. Do you always have to hire one? No.

You can access help through books, podcasts, and videos. You can gain insights from friends and family.  You can follow the path of successful people and learn from their examples.

At times, though, nothing can replace the work you’ll do with a coach. Many people will balk at the cost, but the reality is we spend money on things that will have no lasting value. The money I spent with Sid has incredible value, because I’ve learned new strategies and have had new insights that are leading me to the change I’ve been wanting for a long time. I’ve shifted my thinking and I’m moving my health to the next level.

If you are wanting to make changes in your life and are frustrated by your lack of progress (like I was) it may be time to hire a coach.

Make sure you vet a coach before working with them.  Before working with Sid, I read his book, Approaching the Natural: a Health Manifesto, listened to him being interviewed, and listened to his podcast.  His ideas were appealing and I liked his style. A brief conversation about his coaching approach solidified my sense he would be good to work with.

Here’s something you need to know about working with a coach: sometimes they will ask you engage in a process that doesn’t always make sense to you at first. This is why you need to trust the person you are working with.  Remember that you are always in charge of your process, meaning that if you don’t like what’s going on, you end the relationship.

I highly recommend that you check out my coach Sid on his website, www.sidgarzahillman.com. He has a lot of great resources for free. Sid has a wry humor and is engaging to watch and listen to. His coaching style is encouraging, straightforward, and friendly. I highly recommend working with Sid.

Like I’ve said before, I’ve been coaching people for the majority of my life and if I didn’t believe in coaching, I wouldn’t be one and I wouldn’t have hired Sid.

Invest in yourself and become the excellent person you are.