Wednesday, July 28, 2010

What's Your Commitment Level When Working with a Helping Professional?

There are lots of us out there...Helping Professionals such as coaches, tutors, counselors, therapists, consultants, and mentors, just to name a few. Assuming the professional knows her stuff, is ethical, and is capable of building a rapport with you, how can you predict the results of working with her?

The Rest Depends on You

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

1) Am I a life-long learner?

2) Am I willing to reach more than half way (and out of my comfort zone) to co-create the change that the professional and I are working toward?

3) Will I be tempted to quit at the first unrelated but unexpected impingement on my time or money, such as a costly car repair?

4) Worse yet, will I use this impingement as a ready excuse to quit?

5) Will I respect the boundaries and time of the professional while still asking clearly for the assistance I need ?

6) Am I willing to accept help, constructive observations, and, last but not least, hearing about what I do well without reflexively deflecting the compliment?

The Bottom Line

A Helping Professional can commit with you but not for you. What priority are you putting on the change you want to make?

All my best,

Susan

P.S. Is it time for you to get moving toward what you want? Contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com to set up a discounted intro coaching session by phone or in person!

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***
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***Active member of the TriCounty Commumity Network. "Partnering to improve health, social and environmental conditions." See http://www.tcnetwork.info/. ***



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