I’d blogged a few months earlier about the differences between coaches, sponsors and mentors. Here I am going to share how to find a coach, what coaches can help you with and what the investment in a coach typically looks like. 

Are you ready to get a coach?

You are ready, if you are able to tell yourself in a few words or less, what you are intending to gain from the coaching experience. ‘I don’t know what I’m doing with my life, I am interested in coaching but I don’t know what I want to gain from it’ If that’s you, then you’re not ready.

Instead, consider reflecting, meditating and writing down your thoughts before engaging a coach, even if it is a life coach. 

How can you find a coach?

If you know what you are looking for, start asking around within your network. Chances are the coach you end up finding has spent time coaching or mentoring others in your network; always ask for referrals and recommendations. If you feel strongly about your coach’s work, or have spent time being their mentee, then go ahead without a referral. Go with your gut feeling. 

A wise friend once told me that the coach you have today won’t be the coach you have tomorrow, and that’s okay. You will outgrow some people quickly and that’s to be expected. Know when you’re done and move on. 

What kinds of things can coaches help you with?

Perhaps there’s a goal you want to achieve, and you’re not sure of how to get there. Then, you need someone to keep you accountable towards it and give you strategies you wouldn’t think of otherwise. That is time to get a coach!

Here’s a few examples of the different kinds of coaches out there and what they do:

1. Weight loss coach like Dr. Natanya Brown, who helps build better habits in diet and mindset and guides dentists in losing weight for the last time (and staying at that target weight).
2. Career coach like Laura Brenner, who helps dentists navigate into a non dental career, much like she did for herself!
3. Empowerment coach like Dr. Jessica Metcalfe, who helps you channel your nervous energy, anxiety and impostor syndrome into productive avenues.
4. My coach- Dr. Cathy Hung, who is helping address my knowledge gaps in the book publishing world and understand what authority marketing looks like in the healthcare industry.

As you can see, all the coaches above have very specific goals they help you achieve. Find a coach that is specific for you and will help you achieve the goal you want!

What is the investment like?

Coaches undergo multiple certifications and intense training to give you the best possible resources. They are investing equal amounts of time and energy into their relationship with you, because they prepare in advance for the meeting and share strategies with you throughout the time you are in contact with them. 

Most coaches run programs that last 4 to 6 sessions. Some programs run longer, others can be shorter. 4-6 seems to be the magic number. These sessions can be spread out over multiple weeks or sometimes once a week. Frequency depends on how quickly you want to grow. The cost depends on the number of tasks they are helping you achieve, sessions you sign up for, and their degree of specialization. Coaching requires significant monetary investment just like any worthy short term course, fellowship or continuing education seminar you may take. 

If you think you need a coach, chances are you probably do. Best of luck!