How to Clarify You and Your Clients’ Goals
How to Clarify You and Your Clients’ Goals https://csuiteold.c-suitenetwork.com/advisors/wp-content/themes/csadvisore/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg 150 150 Sharon Livingston https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6122da12ec7cdaa17fc4e834f2d749da?s=96&d=mm&r=g
Coaching helps people with their goals. But as simple as that may seem, it’s not always clear what their goals are or how that goal might improve their lives.
When a new coaching client comes in for a consultation they usually have a stated goal in mind.
It’s important to help them assess the viability of the goal based on their strengths and skills as well as understand what that goal will give them. In a sense, what’s the goal behind the goal? Why is getting to this goal important? What will it bring you in a positive way? How might your life change because of it? Have you considered all the pros and cons?
There’s an illuminating model that has been used in the Navy’s Human Resource
We can ask the following . . .
1. What are you trying to achieve? Or, what do you want that you don’t have?
2. What are you trying to preserve? Or, what do you want to maintain that you already have?
3. What are you trying to avoid? What don’t you have that you don’t want?
4. What are you trying to eliminate? What do you have now that you don’t want?
This is a powerful assessment to help your client think through their potential goals. Just ask them to fill in these questions and use it as fodder for your coaching session on the goal. Suppose your client is interested in becoming a Professional Coach. Here’s how the conversation might go . . .
Sharon: You said your goal is to become a professional coach.
Joe: Yes
Sharon: What might that give you that you don’t have now?
Joe: I’d feel like I was contributing to society while also making a living.
Sharon: How is that giving you something more than now?
Joe: I get to work with people but I don’t really have an opportunity to help them move forward in their lives?
Sharon: Why might that be important?
Joe: I make great money at my job, but sometimes I feel bad that I have all these relationship building skills that are wasted.
Sharon: And . . .
Joe: I’m at a point in my life where I feel grateful for what I’ve achieved and want to give back. So it’s a win win.
Sharon: Great. And what do you want to maintain that you already have?
Joe: Well . . . my standard of living! [He laughs]
Sharon: Uh huh
Joe: And the recognition and respect I currently enjoy in my career
Sharon: Great. And now, what is important to avoid in this career move. That’s to say what don’t you have that you don’t want?
Joe: I don’t have money worries and I really don’t want them!
Sharon: And what do you have now, that you’d prefer to get rid of
Joe: Well, I don’t punch a clock but it feels like I do because of having to be at my office regardless of my work load or my preferred times when I’m more productive and less so?
Sharon: Tell me more
Joe: I have to drive in rush hour twice a day, which is tiring and frustrating on a daily basis, while I’d prefer to have a lot more flexibility with my hours. I have great energy early in the morning when I can get a lot done, but then I’m dragging my mental feet in the afternoon when I’d love to be exercising or taking a long hike and then returning to work. I COULD do that as a Professional Coach
So let’s take a summary look at what we learned about Joe’s goal with our 4 element model
Goal – I want to become a Professional Coach
Don’t Have Currently Have
WANT ACHIEVE – Satisfaction of helping others PRESERVE – $$$$
DON’T WANT AVOID – Money Worries. ELIMINATE – Rigid Schedule
You can conduct this type of analysis with any goal. Why might you want to become a Professional Coach?
What might it help you achieve, as well as how does that goal stack up on the other factors? Good food for thought, right?
NEXT TIP heading your way tomorrow
Thinking about getting certified as a Professional Coach? Want to talk about it? Or any questions you have about professional coaching? Let’s talk and see whether or not it makes sense for you to become a certified professional coach.
Learn more about our upcoming Fast Track programs in NYC and Dallas in March
Warmest regards,
Sharon 🙂
Dr. Sharon Livingston
603 505 5000 cell