What's with that? Suddenly everyone and his brother has become a coach. I am not talking basketball here...it seems that ever since this recession has reared its ugly head, the nation is filled with a bunch of know-it-alls who are ready to tell everybody else how to do things.
You're unemployed - one will teach you to rewrite your resume and find the stellar job. You're a businessperson? One is ready to teach you to make more money - even in this down economy! You've lost every penny of your retirement savings--no problemo, the wealth advisor will advise you how to re-invest in something bigger, better and about to crest. You are single and miserable - a dating coach will be Cyrano de Bergerac in your ear, telling you just what to say and how to say it so you will captivate her (or get HIM to pay attention). Constipated? I'm sure there's a coach for that as well.
So when a business advisor (not a coach - just an advisor), suggested that I become a "weight loss coach," I tried not to laugh too hard. Yeah, right...people are going to pay me to walk with them, exercise with them, and talk them down off a triple scoop Ben & Jerry's Chubby Hubby waffle cone drenched in m&ms and hot fudge? I don't think so!
"Seriously," he said. "People are dying for advice on how to finally lose weight."
"But if everyone is a coach, precisely who is left to look for advice?"
"You see, that's your problem," he shook his finger at me. "You are SO negative. Have you thought about finding a positivity coach?"
OK, in my day, a "positivity coach" was a therapist. He or she probably cost as much as a coach, but with a therapist, I could talk about ALL my problems - not just my tendency to look at things realistically...which this guy calls "negative." I could tell a therapist all about my difficulties being a single mom with a teenage drama queen in tow. I could rag about my last boyfriend. I could talk about my own struggles with weight. About my challenges being a good daughter to parents with health issues. I could rant about my business situations, work difficulties, spiritual dilemmas. It's an all-in-one deal. Can the coach! I want a qualified professional who can listen, give me feedback and advice on everything that bothers me!
So if you're thinking of going to a coach - here's my advice - and remember--this is coming from someone who COULD have been a coach but got smart! Get a good therapist! It's one-stop shopping! And in these days of economic challenges, that's the best value you can get!
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