Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the task list? Frustrated by the lack of growth in your business? Guilty that you can’t seem to find work-life balance? Or are you excited about all the opportunities in front of you but can’t seem to figure out what to do first? Hiring a coach may be your answer.Years ago I was unfulfilled in my work. Business was good, but I knew I wasn’t reaching my full potential. Being the perfectionist that I was, this was a problem. I decided to take advantage of a “first-time, free coaching session” offer I’d been sent. Within that first hour, I started to feel the release of having someone else who was willing to dive into the details of what was holding me back. I didn’t really have the income to afford a coach, but I knew that if I didn’t invest in myself now, it wasn’t going to get any better.THE COACH WHO CHANGED MY LIFEGoing in, I told Melissa, the coach who changed everything, that what I wanted was to find the passion for what I’m doing again, or choose a different career. I thought I was just looking for a business coach to help me build my two wedding businesses. What came out of that coaching? In the first 12 months, I quadrupled my business, bought a new house, started traveling extensively for the first time, found the romantic partner that I’d been praying for, and best of all, began to change my outlook on life. In the second 12 months of coaching, I sold the business I’d owned for 20 years, completely overhauled the remaining business, married that newly found romantic partner, and discovered the joy of living a life of which I’d always dreamed.Although I was generally a positive person before the coaching, what I hadn’t recognized were the patterns I’d developed that kept me from truly having the life I wanted. The patterns I focus on, the things I say to myself, and how I manage my physiology. I was able to discover my limiting beliefs, clearly define my vision, and establish new patterns of thought and activity. Melissa helped me transition from “I’m doing okay” to “I love my life!”TYPE OF COACHESThere are different types of coaches, and some declare a "specialty," like business, life, accountability, health, high performance, relationships, etc. If you have intense, deep-seated issues in one area, hiring a specialist in that area may be right for you. Generally speaking, I found that small business owners benefit most from a Life and Business Coach (although, admittedly, I have a little bias). The coaches, who have been trained in both areas and often have experience in small businesses of their own, tend more effectively to address the issues with which small business owners struggle.WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN A COACH?I had no idea how to select a coach when I first spoke with Melissa on the phone. Within 60 minutes of mutual sharing and conversation, I knew that our communication styles were similar, that she understood what I wanted, and most important, I felt that she genuinely cared about helping me get results. Almost all coaches offer a free initial consultation, either in person or over the phone. This is a great opportunity to share your struggles and what you hope to accomplish. The most important thing to look for is someone who can relay back to you their understanding of your goals and share with you how they can help. HOW MANY SESSIONS SHOULD I GET?Generally, it will take at least one to three sessions for a coach to truly get a good picture of the various aspects of your life and business that could be stifling your success. We call these “discovery sessions.” The more you are willing to be open, and the more thought and effort you are willing to invest in between sessions, the quicker you will see results. Most clients get the best results when starting with a 12-week package. Why? By allowing yourself time to share openly, process your findings, and implement change, while still working with a coach, the process tends to have greater lasting impact than those who expect to have results in only a few short sessions. That being said, your coach should always be willing to start with just a few sessions if you aren’t comfortable buying a larger package.So what’s the most important thing to keep in mind when hiring a coach to take your life to the next level? Find someone you like, and get started! WPM__Jennifer Gillihan, www.WedProCoach.com, Casper, Wy.