Olympic Wisdom: 5 Tips to Get the Most Out Of Coaching

Do you long to win the gold from where you are now?  What does it take to be a champion?  This is the second  post in a three part series, “Olympic Wisdom”.

In the first “Olympic Wisdom” post, we took at look at lessons about goal setting from an Olympian.  In this post, it’s all about coaches and “cheerleaders”.   Are you looking to succeed or make a change in your life or home office?  Who is cheering you on and helping you move forward?

You might know some of these names: Mary Lou Retton, Kerry Walsh & Misty May, Michael Phelps, Michelle Kwan, Kerri Strug or Carl Lewis.  Know one thing they all have in common?  Someone who was in their corner coaching and cheering them on.   Michael Phelps’ mother recognized a need for her son to channel his boundless energy, and has been by his side cheering him on ever since.  Phelps’ coach knows what fuels the flames of his desire to win.  Kerry Strug was carried to the gold medal stand by her coach, Bela Karolyi, in a moment we’ll never forget. Kerri Walsh’s father is in the stands watching her every move, and giving constructive criticism to help her improve.   I’ve noticed and taken to heart that every champion has someone helping push them forward to be better, faster or sharper than they were yesterday.

Making the most of coaching.

Coaching (and cheerleading for that matter) isn’t just a sports phenomenon.  Business coaches, personal coaches, consultants and mentors are all committed to helping people move forward.  I’ve been working with a coach for well over a  year, and I can tell you its the best decision I ever made.  Are you ready to move forward?  Do you have a coach or someone in your corner?  How can you get the best out of what they are giving you?  Here’s a few tips:

1. Make sure there is trust. If you know that your coach has your best interest at heart, you are most likely to trust their advice and actually use it.  Check them out and make sure you are entrusting your success and growth to someone you know is worthy of it.
2. Really listen. Have you ever tried to give some advice to a friend or loved one, only to have them politely nod and completely ignore your words of wisdom?  Frustrating, right?  When your coach or cheerleader talks, at least listen and consider their advice.
3. Accept their help when they offer. A relationship with a coach is pointless if you don’t actually apply what they are offering.  Kerri Strug would have had a difficult time making it onto that medal stand without her coach carrying her there.
4. Ask questions, over and over and over… Maybe you just don’t “get” what they are saying the first time or what they asked you to do doesn’t make sense.  Ask them about it, and then trust their guidance.
5. They’ve been there. A coach usually has been where you are or has helped others through it.   Take their wisdom and lessons learned to decrease your learning curve.  What do you have to lose?

Having someone in your corner not only helps keep you mentally sharp, but can help far exceed your own abilities.  A good coach will test limits and push you farther than you’d ever go on your own.  Who knows?  You just might end up on a medal stand of your own.