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I'm Not Looking for a Friend, I'm Looking for a Jedi Master
Author: Susan Dunn, M.A., The EQ Coach
Coaching's been around for about 10 years but there are still lots of people who haven't tried it yet, and don't know what it's about.
Two major confusions in people's minds are:
• What's the difference between coaching and therapy, and;
• What's the difference between coaching and a good friend
Coaching's similar to therapy, except that therapy focuses on your emotions, particularly unresolved ones from the past and defective patterns of thinking and reacting that have developed.
In coaching, we're concerned about feelings - my specialty is emotional intelligence after all - but the focus is on managing them and moving forward. Taking action is what coaching's all about.
Now what's the difference between a coach and a good friend? A lot!
I have friends and I'm also coach, and I help friends, but not at all in the way I work with clients. With friends, it's give and take. There are also set patterns to most relationships. If you go to a friend for advice, first, they aren't trained, so they're likely to tell you what they would do, not explore with you your options and
best solutions. Secondly, friends have their own issues and agendas which cloud things.
Coaches are trained to be 100% on your side, and to remain involved but subjective.
You're not looking for a friend, you already have friends. You're looking for a Jedi master - someone with wisdom and experience who can point the way. In fact, someone who will say "Try? There is no try. Do or not do." Coaches motivate!
The best way to find out how coaching is different from either therapy or friendship is to try it! All coaches offer a FREE complimentary sample session. Look up some on the Internet and give it a try.
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Susan Dunn, The EQ Coach, offers individual coaching and Internet courses for your personal and professional development. Visit her on the web at www.susandunn.cc and mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc for FREE ezine.
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