My Evolution in Learning
When I first became a coach, I used to read everything I could about coaching. Everything. If it even had the word "coaching" in it, it was in my reading list. (Which means I can now coach kids hockey whenever I'm needed!) After a while, it all started to sound the same and I began an evolution to where I am today: Now, I read as widely as possible.
Of course, I still have a few key coaching resources that I turn to again and again (insert shameless plug for this blog here). They are in my Google Reader and I'm a faithful and loyal follower. But as soon as I started reading more widely, I found that I became a better coach because:
* I could relate to people more effectively. Chances were, I'd just read something interesting related to what was important to them.
* I began to develop my own unique and creative coaching tools: An article about watercolor painting therapy inspired me to introduce a creative drawing component into my own practice that clients have responded to.
* I could more easily draw a link between "the outside world" and my coaching services, helping me acquire more clients because I could see things from their perspective.
I'd recommend the following:
* Bookmark a handful of coaching resources (of course) and don't ever stop honing your craft.
* Read one national newspaper or newsmagazine
* Read one local newspaper if you have local clients (and if you live in a bigger city, opt for those neighborhood newspapers instead of your city paper)
* Read a general content magazine that covers a wider range of information like Readers Digest or Salon
* Read a magazine of a hobby that you find interesting
* Avoid tabloid or celebrity gossip magazines (well, you can read them in your spare time but I don't think they're applicable here)
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