What is a Coachable Goal?

When people think about coaching, they often imagine major career moves and life transitions. While those certainly fit, coaching is much more versatile - goals don't need to be obvious to be coachable. Nonetheless, not every goal is coachable, so here are some questions that I consider during initial consultation.

1. Is the goal important to you? Generally, if the goal is important enough to you to seek coaching, it's important enough to be coached on. Sometimes though, someone (such as an employer or parent) has set their own agenda for you. If you don't care for those goals, it would be fruitless to impose them on you. I truly only coach your own goals.

2. Can you describe a future condition or state of being? Goals are by nature future oriented, so working through past events or being a captive audience for you to air your grievances isn't right for coaching. That being said, if you need help defining your future state ("How can I be more...?") that is something I'd love to help bring clarity toward.

3. Do you take ownership? Your success will depend on your choices, habits, and skills. If you are unwilling to do the work, then any goals set through coaching are destined for failure. Similarly, I can't coach someone who isn't in the room. We'll work on changing your responses to a situation, not changing the economy, your kid's attitude, or your company merger. But if you are willing to make the changes, I'll be with you every step.

That's it - just those three questions! That opens coaching up to a wide range of topics that range from career and business, personal habits, education, hobbies, health and well-being, relationships, communication, and other life decisions. You don't have to have it all figured out before you begin, but if you can get to "yes" on these questions, then you can get to "yes" on your goals with a coach.