1. Coaching sounds a lot like therapy or seeing a counselor. What's the difference?
A therapist or counselor sees you when you have a problem with mental well-being and works with you to solve or treat the problem. A coach sees you when you want a supportive partner to help you create new possibilities in life and to help you be accountable for achieving goals that you set together.

2. Isn't a coach a lot like a mentor or a consultant, then?
Not really. While a mentor or a consultant is the expert in the field in question, a coach deals with you as the expert in your own life. Rather than give advice or direction, a coach will listen, question, and reflect as you tap your own inner wisdom to create the life you want, with the coach as your partner.

3. If I'm really whole and complete and have all the resources within me, why would I need a coach?
Nobody needs a coach, but many people find that they can create insight and life-changing action with real velocity when teamed with a professional who really listens to what's being said both in words and in the spaces in between, and helps see the unseen within. Many of us at first see only a portion of our own power and resources, and almost all of us accomplish more in the presence of another person committed to our greatness. That's why a person might want a coach.

4. You're in Hawaii. I'm not. How could you be my coach?
Coaching is commonly conducted over the phone. Sometimes coaches and clients to know each other extremely well, but never have met in person. Telephone coaching can be warm, supportive, focused, and precise - and you never have to drive downtown and find a parking space to see the coach. Time zones might be an issue. A person in the eastern time zone who prefers to coach at 7am might not be a good match for a coach in Hawaii, who would find the phone ringing at 1 or 2 am for a coaching session. Hawaii is two hours behind Pacific Standard Time, three hours behind Pacific Daylight Time.

5. Why do coaches contract for three months?
Coaching sessions at first may reveal more roadblocks than resources, since that's what most of us are used to seeing. It's easy to be discouraged until the process has had the opportunity to build some momentum and the client has seen some successes. There's nothing magic about the three-month interval, but the general idea is that both client and coach commit to conduct the process for long enough to get beyond a period of discouragement after the first few sessions. Coaching is a process, not a quick fix. Our lives don't get the way they are in just a week or two; substantial transformation likewise requires more than a week or two.

6. How are sessions scheduled?
That's completely negotiable. Some clients prefer a half-hour session at the same time every week. Others prefer longer sessions, perhaps at longer intervals. Some have such variable schedules that each session must be scheduled separately. Once a session is scheduled, the client calls the coach at the scheduled time, making sure to call from a place where phone service is good and the client will be able to focus on the call.

7. How do I go about choosing a coach?
In the final analysis, the only way to be sure you've chosen a good coach is your own experience of getting good coaching. It's the same with doctors, lawyers, accountants, therapists, and auto mechanics. Make your initial choice by trusting your instincts. Word of mouth referrals are helpful, especially from people you know. What does the coach say in writing on the website or any written documents? Is there a blog? Is the coach certified by an educational program approved by the International Coach Federation? Is the coach a member of ICF, and does the coach have additional hours-based certification (ACC, PCC, MCC)? Does the coach seem interested in the areas in which you want coaching? Ask for a half-hour consultation to get a direct experience of the coach's style before making a commitment, if you feel unsure.

8. What if I'm looking for a certain area of expertise that I don't see specifically mentioned in your website?
Talk to us - e-mail or phone. If you're looking for something we can't provide, we'll tell you. We may have referral ideas. We won't make any promises on which we can't deliver.

9. What forms of payment to you take?
We prefer payment by credit card. PayPal is also acceptable. Personal checks, while acceptable, must be received and cleared before the session for which they're paying. Payment for coaching services is always due in advance.

10. Do you make these questions up yourselves?
Of course. Do you think we'd be willing to answer just any old questions?
[back to top]

Favorite Links

International Coach Federation - http://www.coachfederation.org/ICF

Hawaii earthquakes map - http://tux.wr.usgs.gov

Best political website - http://www.allhatnocattle.net

Daughter's art blog - http://www.katherineplumer.com/blog.html

Krystyn's art website - http://www.krystynwarkus.com
[back to top]

Testimonials

"Mike has been an absolute must in making new possibilities real and concrete. There is creating new possibilities, and then there is putting the structure in place and looking at what is working/ not working. Mike provides that foundation and structure." -C.V

"Coaching sessions were helpful and informative. I learned a lot about myself during the process, and it has really opened up new doors for me. I would highly recommend Mike to others. You don't have to be stuck or "broken" to value the help that Mike provides." -D.F.

"Mike has been very helpful. I clearly see the gap between what I want and what I communicate to others and to myself. I have lived like a five year old victim, and kept the story of "that's why nobody likes you" alive and ruling my life." -J.K

"I have already spread the word about my sessions. Coaching has provided the tools to fight for or meet my challenges/ goals, and the support I needed to meet them. Having Mike in my corner improved my chances for success." -M.B., M.D.

"Why would a doctor want a coach? It's easier to imagine that aeroplanes might fly, or that some use could be found for aluminum." -W. Osler, M.D.
[back to top]