Coaching and the Law of Attraction: Seven Ways to Find Focus

There is a lot of buzz out there about the law of attraction. What I have deciphered from it all are two key points: Clear Focus and Action. Let me explain. When I hear people say, "I want more money" what does that really mean? How will it come to them? Will they win a lottery or get a big settlement from an accident they are about to be in? We need to be clear on how we will attract what we desire. In the same instance, we may desire to make more money by selling additional products and services from our business. We may be completely clear on our focus, but unless we take action and grab the opportunities that come along or make our own opportunities, nothing is going to happen.

Your brain is a wonderful organ. When you have clear focus, it will actually weed out irrelevant data around you, and you will begin to see or find opportunities that may normally be ignored. For example, when my husband and I decide to buy a car, we do a lot of research. We may go online, buy Consumer Guide's Auto Report, and visit every dealership in our area. We become completely focused on the car we want to purchase. So what happens? Our ideal car is suddenly everywhere; at the shopping center and gas stations, on the highways and back roads. The car ads for our vehicle jump out of the newspaper. We begin to see it on every car lot we pass. This does not stop until we purchase the car and/or decide to focus our attention on something else.

OK, so where does coaching come in? Well, coaching helps clients FOCUS and be accountable by taking ACTION. Suddenly your goal is right in your face and your coach will make sure you don't get off track. Every time you talk to your coach they will be asking you about your focus and what action you have taken to get closer to achieving it. I am going to give you 7 ways to start a coaching relationship and keep your focus. Decide if your focus is work related or personal, then choose the best method for you. Think out of the box and try to come up with a few more ways to get the coaching you want.

1. Self Coaching

Self coaching empowers individuals to be responsible for managing and developing themselves. It can build self-esteem, confidence, and competencies. Individuals identify, find, and apply solutions to their goals by using one of the coaching or problem solving models, such as GROW.

2. Peer Coaching

Peer coaching is used widely in universities and school settings. It is a process through which two or more colleagues work, learn, and develop together. Peer coaching is usually voluntary and less threatening than traditional coaching arrangements. Peers are flexible enough to provide support and feedback right on the job. For personal goals, try peer coaching with a friend.

3. Coaching with Managers

Managers that coach their followers do so on both an informal and formal basis, depending on the circumstances. Working with employees daily, a coaching manager can spot problem areas, talent, and developmental issues quickly and apply coaching skills for change. Managers also have extensive knowledge of what is needed in the area under their command and can integrate a big picture view into the coaching relationship. They are in a position to best know what motivates each of their employees to action.

4. Coaching with Senior Leaders

Senior leaders that coach have the ability to leverage their role in the organization and make coaching a cultural reality. They are the ultimate role models of how coaching is to be handled. Role modeling requires extensive commitment to self development through reflection, assessments, and feedback. It means using coaching with intention and appropriateness, having their own coach, and being authentic.

5. Team Coaching

In team coaching, a coach provides coaching to a group of people, usually for development purposes or to meet higher productivity demands. A coach can help a team: Define its purpose, understand its environment, tackle performance barriers, build learning plans, grow confidence, and develop ways to internalize coaching. Team members must learn to put aside personal agendas and develop actions that are good for the group and the organization they belong to.

6. Coaching with Internal Coaches

To stay competitive in a global economy, organizations like IBM take coaching seriously and have hired coaches for internal positions. They usually work the organization both horizontally and vertically, impacting a large number of the workforce. Internal coaches can also teach and reinforce coaching skills in management and are able to integrate coaching into other learning programs. They have access to organizational resources and are able to give timely feedback to those they coach.

7. Coaching with External Professionals

An external coach is someone hired from outside the company as an independent contractor. Many external coaching initiatives today are directed towards those in leadership roles. External or executive coaches are usually brought in to sharpen the leadership skills of high potential individuals. They can provide alternative perspectives, political neutrality, high objectivity, and confidentiality that may not be possible from internal coaching arrangements.

Whether your goal is personal or business related, hiring a coach will help you focus and get results. Let's be realistic. Life is distracting. Coaching is the best tool to keep you aligned towards the reality you want. Find a coach now. Your brain will reward you for your efforts.