New Years Resolution Get a Coach - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

New Years Resolution Get a Coach - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Last week I was contacted by a late-thirties executive  who was seeking  a  career coach.  He said he had worked previously with a coach in an other state, the result of which was a  move to Atlanta with a step  up to a Vice President position and considerably more income. I asked him why he called me and he said he was ready to take the next  step in his career. He said he  had been very happy with the help he received  from his  last coach and wanted  a local Atlanta coach to work with him in making his next step upward. I smiled outside and inside. A common expression some coaches like to use is  Even Tiger Woods has a coach. They say this in an attempt to wake people up to the fact that every level of performer can benefit  from being professionally coached.  Because many people are resistant to change, I  believe that this comment tends to fall  on deaf ears.  Engaging a coach  is an action that openly invites change.  If you are like the VP who called me and are open to change, then  professional coaching may be right for you. Most career seekers I speak with each week are not like my VP caller. They  have gaping holes in their thinking when it comes to career planning and career changes.  They want some free advice  and then, upon receiving it, go along their merry way.  But, if you are the exception and are interested in  learning more about the benefits of coaching, then professional coaching may be right for you. Coaches seek to determine if a prospective client is coachable. Even if you are  open to change, that doesnt  necessarily mean you  are willing to do the work. It  also doesnt necessarily mean you  are willing to  let down your  defenses and let go of needing  to be right. If you are  committed to making the effort  required for meaningful change and are willing to examine things objectively, then professional coaching may be right for you. There are oodles and oodles of  free, amateur advice available. Most people love to share their opinions. But, it can be difficult to judge which inputs are useful. If you are willing to step up and invest your hard earned money in your future, then professional coaching may be right for you. Your current circumstances in life and  your career  were  fashioned  by your past  decisions.  Your future will be crafted by the decisions you make next. As you make plans for the new year, consider professional coaching. It has the potential to  increase your odds of making better  decisions and creating the future you desire.  Happy new year!