In a world where you are inundated with information, how do you learn to life coach? One way is to learn from books and here are some principles from John Maxwell’s book, The Success Journey that you can apply in your learning process.

1. Choose a Life of Growth

When you sincerely dedicate yourself to continual growth, you keep moving forward. As soon as you think you can coast or rest or just maintain what you have already achieved, that is when you start sliding backward.

2. Grow Today

Procrastination is the death of ambition and dreams. Someday is not a day of the week. Growth is not automatic. Growth today will provide a better tomorrow. Growth is your responsibility – if you don’t take that responsibility, growth will never happen.

3. Be Teachable

John Wooden, former UCLA basketball coach once said, “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts”. He stressed that the greatest obstacle to growth isn’t ignorance, it is knowledge. When we think we know it all, we become unteachable and can no longer grow or improve.

4. Focus on Self-Development, Not Self-Fulfillment

Self-fulfillment is about feeling good. However, with self-development, feeling good is a byproduct, not a goal. Self-development is a higher calling, and with it, you can develop your potential in order to attain the purpose for which you were created.

5. Never Be Complacent About Current Accomplishments

Thinking that you have arrived when you accomplish a goal has the same effect as believing you know it all. It takes away your desire to learn. Know that wins and losses are both temporary. No matter how successful you are, don’t get complacent. Always stay hungry. Don’t settle into your comfort zone. From success, move on to greater growth.

6. Continually Learn to Life Coach

To keep moving, become a perpetual learner. You’ll have to carve out time for it. As Henry Ford said, “It’s been my observation that most successful people get ahead during the time other people waste.” Learning to life coach every day is the essence of being a continual learner.

7. Concentrate on a Few Major Themes

Give your time and energy only to the themes at the heart of your life. Keep your focus narrow. Where you focus your attention when you learn to life coach will depend on your purpose, how you wish to help others, and what it means for you to reach your potential.

8. Develop a Plan for Growth

The key to being successful in life coaching is developing a plan. Plan your work and work your plan. Earl Nightingale once said, “If a person will spend one hour a day on the same subject for five years, that person will be an expert on that subject.” How you go about it does not matter, but do it daily.

9. Pay the Price

Growth requires discipline. It takes time to learn life coaching and it costs money for materials. There are constant changes and risks. And it can be lonely. But growth is always worth the price you pay because you are fulfilling your potential and living your dream. President Theodore Roosevelt stated: “There has not yet been a person in our history who led a life of ease whose name is worth remembering.”

10. Find a Way to Apply What You’ve Learned

In some way apply what you’ve learned every day in your life and turn it into a habit instead of a wish. Do this for 21 days and the habit is yours. As you accumulate growth this way, you never stagnate or backslide.

By the way… you’re invited to claim your FREE step-by-step “ 30-Days to Become a Coach” video toolkit. Just go HERE now to get your 30-day coaching blueprint videos.

Jeannie Cotter
Editor/Writer
Writer, Coaches Training Blog community