Do I need a coach?
This is a question I hear very often, from many different types of people. After a bit of a discussion around goals, ideals and the like well often that answer is – Yes you can do with a Coach. Ultimately it is an answer that only the ‘asker’ can answer. However, with a bit of guiding and probing, maybe I can help you reach an answer.
Do I have a goal (or dream)?
We all have goals (of sorts). Some are well thought out and are achievable? Some are less thought out and a little more challenging. Some are not thought out an are really a dream. Dreams are great, but can only really come true if they are thought out (planned) and have a set of goals (short and long term) that you are working on to reach your dream. You probably know where you are (well maybe) and now we know where you want to go? How do I get there? A Plan!
Do I need a plan?
If you have a goal or a dream and you don’t quite know how to get there – then you probably could do with some help from a coach. A plan is going to be the route you will need to take to reach that goal. It will put forward the steps, milestones and measures required to step you from where you are now, through to where you want to get to with your goal.
Do I have all the tools/knowledge to execute my plan?
Now I am not trying to overcomplicate or pump up this next bit. I’m not trying to say that you could never understand it. Lets look at it. Do I understand the physiological complexities of human performance and structure loaded to improve performance? Do I know how to measure the status of your current performance, then build a program with the appropriate focuses to achieve the physiological requirements of your goal. Now it can be learned but it does come with experience, which only comes from going through the processes of planning, executing, achieving, reassessing and replanning to hit the next goal – repeat.
Can I objectively assess my progress?
This is one of the hardest questions to answer for many. Some people are very experienced and can look at their performance and assess it clearly and objectively. Conversely there are a lot of people who can not be objective when it comes to their personal performance. These people do need a objective voice of reason and balance. They may be overly harsh on their performance and do not take all reasons that ay hinder performance. Equally they may be the person who makes excuses for their performance. There is a big difference between reasons and excuses. That voice of reason helps an athlete to objectively understand their performance.
So do I need a coach?
So if you answered Yes to either of the first two questions and/or No to either of the second two questions – then you could probably do with the assistance of a coach.
