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Consultants/Coaches - Do you use them?

by air3lement
12 replies
Ever feel like you have a lot of potential, and know you can be doing more - but feel stuck in some aspects?

You have an idea of what you want, but don't know exactly how to get there.

In times like these, or in general, do you have a coach/consultant you go to?

(For those with no mentors/circle of entrepreneurial friends)
#consultants or coaches
  • Profile picture of the author GordonJ
    Originally Posted by air3lement View Post

    Ever feel like you have a lot of potential, and know you can be doing more - but feel stuck in some aspects?

    You have an idea of what you want, but don't know exactly how to get there.

    In times like these, or in general, do you have a coach/consultant you go to?

    (For those with no mentors/circle of entrepreneurial friends)
    I'm on the other side of the desk. Coaches and consultants can be hired, and one needs to go through a vetting process with them before dropping coin in their piggy banks. As often as not, a coach/consultant will try to sell you his/her services. It is up to you which one resonates with you and which one YOU choose.

    As a mentor, I give away my time, and you have to sell yourself to me. I make the choice.

    GordonJ

    PS A good process to select a coach is to talk to them, get a feel for what they say, their
    personalities and way of communicating.
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    • Profile picture of the author MichaelQuinn
      Originally Posted by GordonJ View Post

      I'm on the other side of the desk. Coaches and consultants can be hired, and one needs to go through a vetting process with them before dropping coin in their piggy banks. As often as not, a coach/consultant will try to sell you his/her services. It is up to you which one resonates with you and which one YOU choose.

      As a mentor, I give away my time, and you have to sell yourself to me. I make the choice.

      GordonJ

      PS A good process to select a coach is to talk to them, get a feel for what they say, their
      personalities and way of communicating.
      I've never tried to find a mentor or coach/consultant before, but after reading your response when I do I'm definitely going to look for someone that does things the way that you do instead of the way you described at the top. Thanks for that.
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      • Profile picture of the author GordonJ
        Originally Posted by MichaelQuinn View Post

        I've never tried to find a mentor or coach/consultant before, but after reading your response when I do I'm definitely going to look for someone that does things the way that you do instead of the way you described at the top. Thanks for that.
        Perhaps it sometimes comes from desperation, or having hit the wall, but too often people will hire a coach based on their sales page (pitch) and some referrals, which are hard to trust online.

        A good coach, which fits, can be worth her weight in gold (and Oprah between diets, when she's scarfing the bread, would be worth a lot). Alas, we can't hire the big O, or even the little one when she wants to make another gazillion selling Weight Watchers. HA!

        Some people need kicks in the butt, others need pats on the back, and the person hiring the coach needs to know which one, or where in between, the coach that will help the best fits in.

        The difference, sometimes, between a coach and a consultant is, a consultant will often have systems and methods in place, and a more step by step, paint by the numbers approach. The old, do this, get that sort of thing.

        Whereas a coach, maybe, will have a method too, but are able to adjust to the person they are coaching.

        Now, some call mentors coaches or consultants. I've had mentors, REALLY great ones. Never paid a dime to any of them, although one did make me buy his lunch (a knockwurst sandwich with mustard), and he was the most successful of the bunch.

        I also have had coaches. And I've been a golf coach and business consultant too.

        As a consultant, I never fired a client because I vetted them, as a golf coach, I remember firing TWO students, because of their personalities.

        As a mentor, I avail myself to the person who follows through. As a consultant/coach, I had something to show for it in my wallet.

        As a mentor, it is in my pride.

        GordonJ
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        • Profile picture of the author MichaelQuinn
          Originally Posted by GordonJ View Post

          Perhaps it sometimes comes from desperation, or having hit the wall, but too often people will hire a coach based on their sales page (pitch) and some referrals, which are hard to trust online.

          A good coach, which fits, can be worth her weight in gold (and Oprah between diets, when she's scarfing the bread, would be worth a lot). Alas, we can't hire the big O, or even the little one when she wants to make another gazillion selling Weight Watchers. HA!

          Some people need kicks in the butt, others need pats on the back, and the person hiring the coach needs to know which one, or where in between, the coach that will help the best fits in.

          The difference, sometimes, between a coach and a consultant is, a consultant will often have systems and methods in place, and a more step by step, paint by the numbers approach. The old, do this, get that sort of thing.

          Whereas a coach, maybe, will have a method too, but are able to adjust to the person they are coaching.

          Now, some call mentors coaches or consultants. I've had mentors, REALLY great ones. Never paid a dime to any of them, although one did make me buy his lunch (a knockwurst sandwich with mustard), and he was the most successful of the bunch.

          I also have had coaches. And I've been a golf coach and business consultant too.

          As a consultant, I never fired a client because I vetted them, as a golf coach, I remember firing TWO students, because of their personalities.

          As a mentor, I avail myself to the person who follows through. As a consultant/coach, I had something to show for it in my wallet.

          As a mentor, it is in my pride.

          GordonJ
          Thank you for teaching me the difference between them, that's going to be very helpful in the future when I find myself seeking professional guidance, because I'm definitely going to need it.
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  • Profile picture of the author DRP
    Originally Posted by air3lement View Post

    Ever feel like you have a lot of potential, and know you can be doing more - but feel stuck in some aspects?

    You have an idea of what you want, but don't know exactly how to get there.

    In times like these, or in general, do you have a coach/consultant you go to?

    (For those with no mentors/circle of entrepreneurial friends)

    That feeling you're feeling is denial. Your ego is trying hard NOT to accept some truths about yourself and your situation and circumstances. You don't need a coach: you need a reality check and a grounded plan of action. Anyone else that tells you otherwise is either delusional or selling you something.
    Signature
    I'd rather tell you an ugly truth than a pretty lie.
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    • Profile picture of the author GordonJ
      Originally Posted by DRP View Post

      That feeling you're feeling is denial. Your ego is trying hard NOT to accept some truths about yourself and your situation and circumstances. You don't need a coach: you need a reality check and a grounded plan of action. Anyone else that tells you otherwise is either delusional or selling you something.
      You of remote psychic/psychiatric abilities, say...a grounded plan of action is what the OP needs.

      So, along with your amazing abilities to analyze people from a distance, what do you suggest to the OP on how to make that "grounded plan"?

      It feels that is what was asked, how does he create such a grounded plan?

      GordonJ
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      • Profile picture of the author DRP
        Originally Posted by GordonJ View Post

        You of remote psychic/psychiatric abilities, say...a grounded plan of action is what the OP needs.

        So, along with your amazing abilities to analyze people from a distance, what do you suggest to the OP on how to make that "grounded plan"?

        It feels that is what was asked, how does he create such a grounded plan?

        LOL what he is asking for is validation from anyone else here who feels just as upset as he does, that his programming of "passive income, online business, 24/7 revenue, multiple streams of income" is not materializing. It's causing a case of cognitive dissonance in the OP, to which he has turned to the forums for validation. OP is convinced that they could be "doing more, if only for X". This tells me that they are in denial, seeking validation, and experiencing cognitive dissonance. Reading OP and his history of posts tells me all I need. I don't need more details than that.


        Ever feel like you have a lot of potential, and know you can be doing more - but feel stuck in some aspects? You have an idea of what you want, but don't know exactly how to get there.
        Feeling like you have a lot of potential is ego. Maybe you do. Maybe you don't. You're not special. If you have an idea of what you want, ID the requirements to get there and think logically about how you can satisfy those requirements. This will likely mean that you will have to get real with yourself. Lying to oneself is a crime against oneself. In any case, you don't need a coach or mentor (if you're paying a "professional" for it). It's in yourself you can trust....and if you can't trust yourself, well, you're just SOL.
        Signature
        I'd rather tell you an ugly truth than a pretty lie.
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        • Profile picture of the author air3lement
          Originally Posted by DRP View Post

          LOL what he is asking for is validation from anyone else here who feels just as upset as he does, that his programming of "passive income, online business, 24/7 revenue, multiple streams of income" is not materializing. It's causing a case of cognitive dissonance in the OP, to which he has turned to the forums for validation. OP is convinced that they could be "doing more, if only for X". This tells me that they are in denial, seeking validation, and experiencing cognitive dissonance. Reading OP and his history of posts tells me all I need. I don't need more details than that.


          Feeling like you have a lot of potential is ego. Maybe you do. Maybe you don't. You're not special. If you have an idea of what you want, ID the requirements to get there and think logically about how you can satisfy those requirements. This will likely mean that you will have to get real with yourself. Lying to oneself is a crime against oneself. In any case, you don't need a coach or mentor (if you're paying a "professional" for it). It's in yourself you can trust....and if you can't trust yourself, well, you're just SOL.
          Thanks for the advice on the grounded plan of action - That's actually just what I needed help organizing.

          Although I can see that perspective - carrying those false beliefs - that's not the case here. I don't really owe you an explanation as to why I created my post, I'll leave you with I was just curious about the subject. Because I can understand your chain of thoughts; I'd like to kindly say that human's are a lot more complex than we like to sometimes think. And as smart or "special" as you are, it's hard to take you sincerely when you show a clear lack of empathy and refusal for the facts of a situation.

          Don't take it the wrong way, just returning the favor for the constructive criticism - just my ego, pointing back at your ego.. like a mirror, you know?
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  • Profile picture of the author sgalla414
    I think coaches/ mentors get a bad reputation in todays society. However, I absolutely think they are just another great tool to help move you further ahead in life. Professional athletes of team sports or individual sports have them why wouldn't an entrepreneur want one as well? Depending on how you work it might even be helpful just to have someone hold you accountable. Everyone is at different stages in their "journey" why not get advice from someone who has done what you are trying to do.
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    • Profile picture of the author palmtreelife
      Professional athletes of team sports or individual sports have them why wouldn't an entrepreneur want one as well?
      Nailed it. Mentors and coaches are always a very hotly debated topic in this forum, and this thread is no different. I used to believe everyone who has a desire to improve their life, achieve something greater or hit a goal, should have a coach and/or mentor.

      However, after seeing how people feel about getting guidance, tips, plans and suggestions from others, I no longer believe "everyone" should have a coach/mentor in their life. Many have goals and dreams, but have zero interest or belief in getting assistance to do that in a shorter period of time.

      I had a results focused coach a few years back. I worked with him for 6 months. It was an incredible transformational experience for me. I learned so much about myself and my blocks. I catapulted my real estate business and found a way to quit my job and move to the Caribbean. I know there are so many people out there suffering from similar intellectual and productivity blocks that they could benefit from having someone guide them.

      I also benefited from a paid real estate mentor a while back as well. I'm still in touch with him now and have been asked to do video testimonials for him for his new real estate investing course.

      If anyone ever considers a coach/mentor, I would back them 100%. I'm going to be signing up for another 6 months of coaching soon. I have a lot of ideas and things flowing right now, learning a lot of new skills and feel the need to kick things up another notch.
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      • Profile picture of the author MichaelQuinn
        Originally Posted by palmtreelife View Post

        Nailed it. Mentors and coaches are always a very hotly debated topic in this forum, and this thread is no different. I used to believe everyone who has a desire to improve their life, achieve something greater or hit a goal, should have a coach and/or mentor.

        However, after seeing how people feel about getting guidance, tips, plans and suggestions from others, I no longer believe "everyone" should have a coach/mentor in their life. Many have goals and dreams, but have zero interest or belief in getting assistance to do that in a shorter period of time.

        I had a results focused coach a few years back. I worked with him for 6 months. It was an incredible transformational experience for me. I learned so much about myself and my blocks. I catapulted my real estate business and found a way to quit my job and move to the Caribbean. I know there are so many people out there suffering from similar intellectual and productivity blocks that they could benefit from having someone guide them.

        I also benefited from a paid real estate mentor a while back as well. I'm still in touch with him now and have been asked to do video testimonials for him for his new real estate investing course.

        If anyone ever considers a coach/mentor, I would back them 100%. I'm going to be signing up for another 6 months of coaching soon. I have a lot of ideas and things flowing right now, learning a lot of new skills and feel the need to kick things up another notch.
        I'd love to be able to find the right one that would have the time and patience to put up with the thousand questions I'd be likely to ask lol
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  • Profile picture of the author ahmad nasir
    yes coaches and consultants both are very good they really can help you with your work
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