Having a personal coach is more than just a fashionable trend. Real people are taking real businesses to the next level with personal one-on-one coaching.

There are several key components to what makes coaching so valuable. A coach must have a love and a passion for the area in which they are coaching. With regards to Real Estate Coaching, that love comes from having a successful real estate career, by making lots of mistakes and enjoying many victories over the years of practice. Coaches have run into the brick walls, and they have figured out what it took to get over, around, or through them. They may have achieved great success in one area of our business, only to find another area of their lives also needed attention. They have learned how valuable having a balance is, usually after having lost it for a period of time themselves. Real estate coaches know the potential for doing good business is unlimited, and the opportunities are everywhere. Yet, coaches are not perfect. They didn't necessarily do everything right, but a good coach does have passion for the business and compassion for those working it.

Coaches should have a competitive spirit, with the drive to develop the best out of each client. They do not have to have sold 50 million dollars worth of real estate in a year, nor should they have to prove that they can stop a speeding bullet or jump the tallest building with a single bound.

Coaches are not always better than the clients they are coaching. However, they are most likely better at looking at the big picture and giving the valuable input needed to take that client to the next level, while holding the client accountable to his own dreams and desires.

Even great athletes like Tiger Woods have coaches, but could Tiger's coach beat him in a round of golf? Not likely, but Tiger listens to every word that coach utters and makes his own decision to follow the advice or not.

With coaches, playing experience does count. Some of the best coaches in history were once world-class athletes before they became coaches; Larry Bird, Pat Riley, and Vince Lombardi, just to name a few. What those coaches have, is insight into the game, the dynamics, and the ability to ask the “WHAT IF” questions and determine the outcome in advance. They have the ability to smell danger and also know when victory is just around the corner. Are they always right? The answer is no, for even the best coaches. That is why they measure success in the win/loss column.

Do you need a coach?

Coaching may very well be the one thing that can help you propel your career in the direction you want to go. A coach can help you establish accountability in your life. If you are thinking of hiring a coach, ask yourself and the coach you are considering a few questions:

• Do you have the desire to take my business to the next level?
• Are you willing to allow your coach to hold you accountable? To what degree?
• Is the coach or coaching company you are considering committed to helping you achieve your goals?
• Is the coaching process truly a one-on-one coaching program?
• Will you know who your coach is before you commit yourself to a coaching contract?
• Is my coach a full-time coach or a part-time coach, or a part-time Realtor? Will he or she have enough time for me?
• Has the coach you have chosen ever sold real estate?

These are just a few of the things you should think about before you decide to move forward in the process of changing your life. Taking your business to the next level can mean different things to different people. Only you can decide what your goals are and how hard you want to work toward them, and if hiring a coach will help you get there sooner.

Published: October 23, 2000

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.