Live Well
Sign Up With a Coach By Karyn Cowan
Are you looking at growing yourself on a personal , professional or sporting level ? Including a coach or mentor into your life may be the very best thing you do for yourself in 2022 .
Canadian self-help author and lecturer Bob Proctor said “ A mentor is someone who sees more talent and ability within you , than you see in yourself , and helps bring it out of you .” Studies have shown the numerous benefits of seeking the guidance of a coach or mentor , but who should you choose and what is the difference between the two ?
A mentor is an individual who has more experience than you ( the mentee ) with regards to your work , home life or sport . They are onboarded in order to assist as an advisor , offering guidance to you based on their own personal history and experience in the given space you are looking for assistance with . A mentor doesn ’ t necessarily need formal training to perform this role , as their mentorship is based on their own experience .
Somewhat differently , a coach works on your personal development and assists you to find your own solution for future scenarios . Coaches often undergo extensive training in specific fields in order to offer structure to sessions for growth and awareness . ( Important note : Do not use a coach / mentor in place of a therapist or psychologist if you need it . Coaches assist with the now and future-based areas of life , whereas a therapist may delve into the past to help their clients .)
Benefits Galore
Here are just some of the numerous benefits of joining up with a mentor or coach :
• They offer a resource of knowledge , insight and information .
• They help define a place to begin , and with assessing where you want to go from there .
• They assist with networking .
• They support your growth in all areas .
• They assist with staying accountable to goals and tasks at hand , by setting SMART goals ( specific , measurable , achievable , relevant and time based ).
• They offer encouragement , and constructive feedback when needed , even if it is negative .
• They offer a different perspective in situations that require out-of-the-box thinking .
• They help identify any blocks , fears , anxieties and obstacles keeping you from achieving your goals .
• They assist you with achieving a better work / life balance .
• They help you lower your level of procrastination and assist you with becoming more proactive .
• They inspire you to persevere through tough times .
• They resurrect passion and enthusiasm for the given area .
• They define your core values and drivers .
As Superbowl-winning American football coach Pete Carrol said , “ Each person holds so much power within themselves that needs to be let out . Sometimes they just need a little nudge , a little direction , a little support , a little coaching , and the greatest things can happen .” In order to choose the right person for you , do your ‘ homework ’ on the person you are interested in hiring , to ensure that they are the right fit .
Start with an honest inventory of yourself , to assess what you really need , then have a meeting before the process of mentorship or coaching begins , to assess if both of you are the right fit for one another , and that your expectations can be met ( or adjusted accordingly ). Make sure to set healthy boundaries that respect both your and their time and energy , and always be open with the coach or mentor .
A Coach for Every Situation
Here are some of categories of coaches available :
• Sport coaching
• Addiction coaching
• Career coaching
• Business , executive and leadership coaching
• Relationship or marriage coaching
• Diet and fitness coaching
• Parent coaching
• Financial coaching
• Consciousness coaching
• Health and wellness coaching
• Life skills coaching
• Spirituality coaching
Karyn Cowan is the owner of In Touch Wellness and a partner at Bedford Wellness Centre . She is a massage therapy specialist , palliative care worker and end of life Doula . Karyn advocates holistic wellness , which includes aspects of mental , physical and emotional health around sport , pregnancy , terminal care , stress management and life transitions . Find out more at www . intouchwellness . co . za , or go to Instagram : in _ touch _ wellness , or Facebook : In Touch Wellness .
52 ISSUE 146 NOVEMBER 2021 | www . modernathlete . co . za