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The real estate industry is fast-changing, dynamic and constantly evolving – it requires personal and professional growth to be sustainable, successful and resilient.
Ask most successful agents and they’ll tell you that getting coached is one of the ways they stay on top of their game in business and life. You might be ready to sign with your next coach to reach the next level, or you might be considering investing in coaching for the first time.
Whether you’ve participated in countless programs before or are new to coaching, there’s one important question you should ask before signing up for coaching support. Can I really get coaching?
Having a desire to improve and grow does not automatically make you “coachable.” To be coachable, you must be open, vulnerable, and ready to embrace change. If you are not fully prepared to dive into the coaching process, you may resist the guidance you are seeking and waste your time, money, and energy.
To ensure you’re prepared to get the most out of your coaching experience, there are three important questions you should ask yourself before you commit:
Am I open to feedback and new perspectives?
Real estate professionals often pride themselves on their expertise and experience. But if you’re looking to grow, it’s important to recognize that there are limitations to your current knowledge. Are you open to listening to feedback that challenges your existing beliefs and strategies?
Your coach may suggest new ways of doing things that may seem strange or counterintuitive, and if you’re not willing to try this new approach or step out of your comfort zone, you could be missing out on an opportunity to significantly improve your sales and customer satisfaction.
Self-check: Think back to how you typically react when someone offers you constructive criticism or suggests a new way of doing things. Do you welcome it, or do you get defensive or ignore it?
Am I ready for change?
Coaching is change. Are you ready to embrace the changes that coaching may require? This means being flexible in your beliefs and open to new ways of thinking. Coaching won’t work if you believe you’re always right and that no one can guide you.
Self-check: Ask yourself if you are truly open to change, even if it goes against your current thinking. Being open to coaching means you are open to both positive and negative feedback and are prepared to adjust your approach accordingly.
Am I goal-oriented?
You need to have an idea of the specific goals you want to achieve. Your coach will help you identify the right goals, prioritize them and break them down into manageable sub-goals. They will also help you develop a plan to achieve these goals within an agreed upon time frame and track your progress.
Self-check: Consider whether you have clear goals in mind and whether you’re willing to work with a coach to refine them. If your goals aren’t clear or you’re not willing to work on defining them, coaching may not be as effective.
Are you motivated to take action and implement change?
Coaching is not just about gaining insights. It’s about taking action. Are you ready to step out of your comfort zone and implement the changes your coach suggests?
example: Let’s say a coach identifies that your time management skills are holding you back from closing more deals. The coach gives you a structured daily routine to follow. If you’re resistant to changing your current habits, coaching won’t get you the results you want, no matter how busy and chaotic your day feels.
Self-check: Think about any change you’ve made in business or in life. Are you the type of person who follows through on new strategies or do you revert to old ways when challenged? What matters most is whether you’re willing to follow through on the actions that will help you achieve or exceed your goals and drive results.
Being honest with yourself here is key to understanding whether you are ready for coaching.
Am I fully committed to the process, even when it makes me uncomfortable?
The coaching journey can be transformative, but it can also be difficult. Growth requires facing uncomfortable truths and working through difficult situations. Are you prepared to commit to the process, even when it feels difficult?
example: During your coaching sessions, you may uncover mindset blocks that are holding you back — such as a fear of rejection that’s preventing you from landing high-value clients. Addressing this fear may require you to dig deep and confront emotions you want to avoid, but doing so is necessary for your growth.
Self-check: Ask yourself if you are truly ready to commit to the process, even if it may be emotionally or mentally taxing. Being coached means you are prepared to commit consistently and follow through. Success in coaching often depends on your ability to persevere through difficult and confrontational moments.
Are you ready to invest time and energy into your own growth?
Coaching requires a significant investment of time, energy and money. You need to be prepared to commit to meeting regularly with your coach and deliver on all the commitments you make during your sessions. Additionally, consider the financial investment. Investing in coaching can go a long way in accelerating your growth, but you need to be prepared to deliver on this commitment.
Self-check: Are you willing to prioritize coaching sessions and allocate the necessary resources? If you’re not ready to invest both time and money, then you may not be ready for the coaching process.
Preparing for successful coaching
Before signing up to a coach, it’s important to check in with yourself and honestly assess whether you’re ready. Asking yourself if you’re open to feedback, willing to take action, and committed to the process will help you determine if you can truly be coached. This self-awareness not only increases the likelihood that you will be able to fully participate in the coaching experience, but also increases the likelihood that you will achieve or exceed your desired results and goals.
Embracing coaching doesn’t just mean you want to change, it also means you’re ready to make the change. If you can answer these questions with a resounding “yes,” then you’re probably ready to embark on your coaching journey and transform your business and your life in ways you never imagined.
Melanie C. KleinMassachusetts and Emily Bossert He is a highly sought-after coach known for helping individuals and teams reach their full potential and succeed.
