Top 10 Ways to Coach Yourself to Total Success!

Coaching is about being your best. It's about performance, about "staying the course" and, in the end, about creating and living the life you really want. Many people use coaches to make more money, win the gold prize or do something dramatic. That's fun, and when it's right, it's wonderful!

But most importantly, coaching is about living up to your own standards. It is, in Henry Thoreau's famous words, about "marching to the beat of your own drum, no matter how faint or far away." So, do I recommend you have a personal coach? Well, duh!

But if you can't afford one, or aren't ready for one, why not be your own coach? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Write down your goals. Review and re-write them once a week. This is old advice, but there is power and magic in writing your goals on paper! Write them down, then review them, think about them and up-date them every week. It may only take 20 minutes, but it will double your rate of success, I guarantee it!

2. Show up! Many of life's most important achievements simply require that we show up, pay attention, tell the truth, work hard, go the extra mile, and do our best! Superior performance is not about the future, or the past. It's about doing a superior job right now, on the work that lies right in front of you.

3. Eliminate Distractions. Keep your eye on the ball. Life is full of frustrations and distractions. Successful people do NOT tolerate the things that drive most of crazy ? they take the time to stop, solve the problem and eliminate the distraction once and for all. Stay focused!

4. Manage your environment. Top performers know that space management is more important than time management, and they have neat offices, clean cars, orderly appointment books, and they keep an extra suit at the office, just in case. Make your office (and your home) a space where you can do your very best work.

5. Read every day. Read something useful, challenging or fun every day. If you only spend 20 minutes with a book that motivates, excites and educates you, it will make a world of difference. I promise! Aim to read at least one book every month!

6. Attend a "University on Wheels". Listen to educational, motivational and fun tapes while you drive. At least listen to soothing, appropriate music, rather than the "terror of the day" on talk radio! Fill your mind with the BEST information you can find!

7. Use a Master-Mind group. The term refers to a group of people who are committed to helping you be successful. Often, they meet once a week. Think of them as your "Advisory Committee". Bounce ideas off them, ask them for advice, let them coach you!

8. Focus on values. Take time every week to review your values, the things that cost you nothing, but make life worth living. Write them down, share them with a friend, and remind yourself of what's most important to you. Remembering your values will get you back on course!

9. Play more! Play a game of tennis, wrestle with the dog, shoot hoops with the kid next door. Laugh, get sweaty, have fun. It doesn't cost; it pays!

10. Practice Gratitude! Periodically, ask yourself how many "good" days you've had this week. Notice what made the good ones good, and do more of the good stuff! And, be grateful. "I was angry that I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet."

Even the most sophisticated modern cruise ships must constantly monitor their course. On our last cruise, Mary and I took a tour of the bridge, and were told the ship had no less than 5 automatic navigation computers, and that at least 2 officers were on duty at all times. Why the redundancy? Because having a cruise ship get lost, even briefly, is a very bad thing!

How many navigation systems do you use to guide your path? Having a handful of books, journals, friends and daily routines to "coach" you is not expensive, it's the best investment you'll ever make! Set up routines and use the best resources you can find to stay on course. Coach yourself to the top!

Here's to your success!

� Copyright 2003 by Philip E. Humbert. All Rights Reserved. This article may be copied and used in your own newsletter or on your website as long as you include the following information: "Written by Dr. Philip E. Humbert, writer, speaker and success coach. Dr. Humbert has over 300 free articles, tools and resources for your success, including a great newsletter! It's all on his website at: http://www.philiphumbert.com

---

W Edwards Deming

Immediately post second world war W Edwards Deming went to... Read More

People Pleasing and How to Stop!

"People pleasing can leave you feeling empty and taken advantage... Read More

How to Crack a Daunting Task!

If you have a daunting task and the mere thought... Read More

Grow Through It

It's past bedtime for most working men. It's not unbearably... Read More

A Visualization Exercise on Managing Expectations for Adults with ADD

As adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), we often find... Read More

Mentors and Coaches: How to Be a Great Mentee or Learner

When you invest your time in being a mentee you... Read More

Corporate Coaching and Employees: One Step Ahead

"Don't shoot... We're on the same side."Contrary to popular belief,... Read More

Do You Make Less Money Than Your Taller Peers?

A recent study at the University of Florida found that... Read More

Automatic Brain Works Overtime For You

Use all of your brain to be your most effective."Running... Read More

The Magic of Hearing

I'm working on a coach training certification, and one of... Read More

Business Coaching Legacy: Reflections on What You Want to Leave Behind?

Updating my will has been on my mind for quite... Read More

Learn to Say No!

How many times have you agreed to do something that... Read More

Change the Words and Change the World

Excerpt From The Relationship Handbook: How to Understand and Improve... Read More

How to Make $100,000 Dollars as a Personal Trainer ? Part A for Attitude!

My name is Greg Ryan. For the last twenty years... Read More

A Numbers Game!

Three years ago, Paul left his corporate job to launch... Read More

You Have The Right

The other day I was having a interesting conversation with... Read More

What Are Your Priorities?

"The indispensable first step to getting the things you want... Read More

Do You Mind If Someone Screams At You?

A headhunter was on the other end of the phone.... Read More

A World of Possibility

When I started my sales career over 25 years ago,... Read More

Among the Purpose & Personality

I have one magical thought, lets see it more closely.... Read More

Stay Connected To WHY You Are Doing Things

"The more I want to get something done, the less... Read More

Corporate Coaching - Why Coach? C(5)+ED

Is it possible to make a strong "business case for... Read More

Is Your Life In Motion?

Ever since the Internet bubble and the 9/11 terrorist attacks,... Read More

Take Responsibility for Reshaping Your Life

We say we want to eat better, feel better, and... Read More

The Tolerance Effect

While working with a client several months ago, we went... Read More

The Executive Coaching Contract

Having found a coach you feel comfortable and excited about... Read More

Whats Next Syndrome

Terms like Postpartum, Post Traumatic and Post Gulf War are... Read More

Moment of Magic

Laughter may or may not be a shock, relieved, but... Read More

Think, Pause & Talk

There are two kinds of peoples we generally face in... Read More

Are You Controlling or Loving Yourself?

How often do you hear a parental voice in your... Read More

Discover The Coach Within You

One of the three basic roles of leadership is the... Read More

Free Advice From Albert Einstein

What If You Could Ask Anyone For Help?Have you ever... Read More

What You See is What You Get

H. Jackson Brown Jr. once wrote, Your mind can only... Read More