Why Have a Coach?

April 19, 2012

---

To be honest with you, I have never really been big on health care providers having a “coach”. Sixteen years ago, when I first went into practice in Costa Rica, I did not have a coach. And, I had huge success building my practice. I was in a country where I did not speak the language, where there was no law regulating the practice of chiropractic and without a clue about business. Yet, somehow I managed to create what many believe was the largest upper cervical practice in the world.

So now I am back in the United States and have learned life’s lessons. I teach classes at two colleges that are preparing tomorrow’s leaders in the health care industry. Oftentimes they ask me, “When I get out into practice, should I hire a coach?”

This usually brings to mind the idea of going to a giant seminar with your “coach” speaking from the platform, leading the way with everyone subscribing to a “one size fits all” business model… YIKES! This type of coaching is oftentimes more motivational than anything else.

Many times I tell the students that if they are still not passionate about the work they do, they may need this type of coaching. However, if they are passionate about what they do but know they need help with the business, then they need a different type of coaching.

When I graduated Chiropractic College I was absolutely ON FIRE to go out and change the world. I was so passionate about this that I decided to go to a country that had no law to regulate chiropractic and I didn’t even speak Spanish! So how did I do it? Well, today as I sit back and look at all of the mistakes and hard knocks suffered I can honestly say that those lessons cost me well over $500,000. Boy do I wish I could have cut that learning curve down if someone would have helped me!

When I got back to the United States and decided to get back into practice, one of the first things I did was to begin to work with a coach. My first coach was actually a psychologist who helped me to find balance between work and life. She also gave me tremendous insight into how to reach the masses with a message of hope. As my business has grown, my coaching needs have changed as well. Today I am coaching with Michael Port, author of the NY Times bestselling book, Book Yourself Solid. I guess you can figure out why I would want to coach with him!

Michael Port is the most expensive coach I have ever worked with, but I will tell you this… It is worth every penny! As my business grows the lessons get more and more expensive to learn!

People often ask me how much I charge for coaching. Some think that my fees are outrageous. Others tell me I am not charging enough. Personally, I think my fees are modest and as I complete my training with Michael Port I do plan on raising them again. Many people then go to my current clients and ask them how much money they make, in an effort to see whether it is worth it or not. But, you know what? My clients all make different amounts of money! Some make a lot, while others do not. However, one thing most of my clients have told me is that without my coaching they would have spent a whole lot of money learning the hard way! Some of them actually come to me after already having spent / loss thousands of dollars.

So, why have a coach? Well, maybe you know you are excited and passionate about what you do, but are fearful of learning at your own expense. If so, you may need a coach. You don’t necessarily need a coach who does the same thing as you either. None of my coaches have been chiropractors. You need someone who understands the business you are in. I have found that almost all health care professionals are in the same boat. We all need new patients. We need them to stay on as patients and be loyal to us. We need them to refer. And, we need them to pay.

I hope this posting will help get you in the right frame of mind to determine whether you need a coach and just what type of coach you may need.

Posted by shawn

---