It’s Not the Coach that Determines Your Success

 Hire Right

We hire coaches for a reason… to get us to the next level and beyond. Whether it be for business, spiritual development, health, money, relationship improvement, or parenting, there are coaches for just about anything.

I’ve had my business for 23 years. The greatest shift and revenue increase was when I hired a coach who worked with me on my business systems. Little did I realize how much of a shift would happen. Since that time, I have not been without either a coach, mentor or consultant for my business.

My Health Needed a Change

A couple of years ago, I got involved in a sport I never knew I would enjoy so much; running. Toward the end of 2014, I realized the loss of both my parents a few years prior had left quite an empty space in my soul. Without knowing it, I was grieving at a very deep level.

I was overeating, not getting much movement, and didn’t have passion for much of anything. I’m not quite sure what prompted me to get off the couch, but I decided to take a walk down the block and back. I was amazed at how great I felt after less than a mile outside.

That day was a turning point for me. Being somewhat of an all or nothing person, I registered for the 2015 Eugene marathon.

The marathon took place within a few days of my 61st birthday. I reasoned I could walk 26.2 miles without much effort or trouble.

Whoa! Was I ever wrong. Here’s why. First, I never changed my eating. Two, I didn’t have a clear plan of what to do. Three, I had no idea how far 26.2 miles is.

I am here to tell you, 26.2 miles is a long, long distance to go.

Listening to Your Coach

I did hire a woman who coached me, but rather than listening to her on all aspects (like eating and dropping weight), I conveniently had selective hearing.

Although I crossed the finish line, I was in so much pain, I wondered if I had permanently injured myself. I swore I would never do that again.

That is, until a few days later. I was feeling better and quickly forgot how I had sworn off marathons forever.

I immediately went to Amazon to order as many books as I could on the topic of power-walking, marathons and races. I immersed myself in the information.

The following year, I did better, but still not great.

Soul Searching Can Pay Off

After a deep, hard look at what needed to change, I knew if I was to enjoy the sport, I needed to drop weight and change a few things.

The most interesting thing happened. I was improving. So much in fact, I started running. Not fast, but running none-the-less.

I also found a local company who was advertising a group training program. I decided this would be a great way to get even more involved in the sport.

Joining Team Run Hub has, by far, been the best choice I could have made. Not only do I have an incredible coach, I get together with my running buddies two times a week, have a customized training schedule, and am not injuring myself.

There’s a very simple reason I’m not getting injured like in the past; I’m following directions.

One More Time…. But Smarter Now

Yes, I’ve signed up for the 2017 Eugene Marathon. This time though, I chose to do the half. This allows me to push myself, but not beyond a place I will enjoy.

For the last eight weeks, I’ve been completely on board with what my coach recommends to me. What an incredible difference this has made.

It’s not always easy though. I find I love the sport so much that on low mile days, I have to refrain from “doing it my way.”

For example, this week my coach has me scaled back on running. The last couple of days have been rest days. No running, no cross training, no nothing. Urgh!

I am chomping at the bit to run, but have resisted doing so.

It’s quite an experience to have to hold back and not over-train.

Tonight, I join the group and get to run six miles. I am so ready to run.

What Discipline Looks Like

Bottom line is this; it’s about discipline. Discipline comes in all forms.

Sometimes the discipline is doing something we know we need to, even when we don’t feel like it. Other times, it’s the discipline of slowing down when it is in our best interest to do so.

I have a running coach for a reason… she’s been there, done that and knows what the heck she’s doing.
My choice? Either do things my way and get the type of results I’ve gotten in the past.

Or…. listen to her, take it to heart and do my personal best.

It’s the same in any area we choose to have a coach. We can let them advise us and continue to do things our way. Or we can let them advise us and implement their recommendations to see what we are really made of.