In the last issue of WAM, I wrote about the value of working with a coach to help you identify, clarify and prioritize goals in any area of your life. In this issue, I'll write about the value of coaching for you as a business owner or entrepreneur, as you move forward toward your goals and beyond.

In this age of information, we have ready access to a wealth of information in the form of magazine articles, how-to books, Web sites, seminars, etc. If you're looking for information on a specific topic relating to your business, you will surely be able to find resources that address it. As valuable as this information may be, information alone is not all that's needed to succeed in business.

The success of your business depends upon you; it is your vision and commitment that will determine your success. If you maintain your vision and commitment, you will succeed.

But, what about all the other parts of your business? There are undoubtedly areas of your business that you don't enjoy as much as others -- ordering, bookkeeping, marketing, selling. They often are neglected while we focus more on the work itself.

That's why it is critical to maintain your vision and commitment, especially when things "get tough" -- when you'd rather not pick up the phone and make that call to a potential client, when you haven't had a lead in a week, when your sales are down. And, this idea of maintaining your vision and commitment applies to you, as well, if you're already successful. You have the ability to go beyond where you are today to a future that you may not have yet envisioned that will be even more rewarding.

Owning and operating a business is hard work, as those of you who already own a business know and as those of you who are just starting out will learn shortly. A business coach works with you in an ongoing relationship to help you look at your business as a whole, as well as at each area of your business. She can help you clarify your vision for your business, set goals and priorities, strategize and create action and/or project plans. She can also help you examine the conversations you have about who you are in business and who you need to be. And, she will hold you accountable to the actions you commit to. The coaching relationship is a powerful one that will serve to benefit both you and your business.

The coaching relationship is a powerful one that will serve to benefit both you and your business

Some Questions For You To Consider:

Who do you have to be in order for that vision to become a reality?

What are the various aspects of the business you have (or are creating)? What is your intention for each of them?

Is your office physically organized in a way that maximizes the efficiency with which you take care of your administrative work?

How do you currently keep track of your appointments? Is this method effective for you? If not, what other ways could you do it? How can you find out about other methods of organization?

How many new clients do you want this month? What are your strategies and tactics for reaching this goal? What are you doing on a daily basis to ensure that your goal is reached?

Make a list or create a map of all the elements of your marketing plan. Which part will you address first? By when? How? Which part will you do next? By when? How?