by David Wood

Have you ever felt unsure of yourself as a coach? Scared that you might not have an answer for someone? Worried you’ll give the wrong advice? Concerned they’ll think you’re a fraud?

The biggest difference I seem to make with the new coaches I mentor is in the area of confidence. Sure I help them with designing their unique coaching session, marketing and business set up. But their main block is often lack of confidence.

What if you have – RIGHT NOW – much more to offer a client than you think? What if you could make a big difference to someone’s life right now – before you get your qualification? What if you could go out and get ten new clients after reading the information in this article?!

In the CoachStart Manual™ I detail seven insights which will help you obtain confidence – right now. I’d like to give you the first four of these insights here in this article.

Here are some valuable things you can offer to a client – RIGHT NOW:

1. The way you listen

Most people listen in the “waiting for my turn to speak” mode. Or noticing if this is boring or entertaining.

But the coach listens with undivided attention. A coach listens from “Is this moving forward?” “Does this sound like what they really want?”

“Are there any actionable steps to take?” Simply by both of you coming together to look for ways the client can progress, they are getting something they don’t usually get from conversation.

2. Being there each week

It’s amazing how much a person will get done just knowing there is someone to hold them accountable. They know next week you are going to ask them, “Did you do it?”

Just by being there you are helping them discover what is important in their life. (It’s like having a running partner. Without the partner there you may not run as far or even get out of bed. With a partner your attention is on running, and you run further, faster and with more fun!)

3. A Sounding Board

Being able to talk about their issues lends clarity. Just discussing what has been clanging around their heads all week is valuable.

Have you ever been trying to solve a problem and getting nowhere until you had a chance to talk about it with someone? You are giving your clients a chance to do that every week.

4. A Second Head

You may be able to see what they are doing in a new light. You may have a different perspective allowing you to see their blind spots.

Some things may be obvious to you, but don’t even occur to them. You might have different ideas they wouldn’t have had.

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And these are just a few things you bring to the table – before you even have any coach specific training. You can make a difference to people around you, you can put on the hat of a coach if it calls to you, right now.

If you would like the full list of what a new coach brings to the table, or if you would like to see the other chapters included in The CoachStart™ Manual, you can find them here:

The CoachStart Manual - A Step by Step Guide to Building Your Coaching Practice

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David Wood is a Professional Life Coach, and author of the powerful Free Download: '50 Life Coaching Questions to Take Control of Your Life and Help Your Clients'.

He helps coaches, consultants, speakers and trainers to build their businesses via his popular ebooks: "10 Super Coaches Share Their Secrets" and The CoachStart Manual.

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