COACHING IS ABOUT BEING AT YOUR BEST. It’s about performance, about ‘staying the course’ and, in the end, about creating and living the life you really want.

Many people use coaches to make more money, win the gold prize or do something dramatic. That’s fun and when it’s right it’s wonderful!

But most importantly, coaching is about living up to your own standards. It is, in Henry Thoreau’s famous words, about “marching to the beat of your own drum, no matter how faint or far away.” So, do I recommend you have a personal coach? Well…duh!

But if you can’t afford one, or aren’t ready for one, why not be your own coach? Here are a few suggestions:

Write down your goals. Review and re-write them once a week. This is old advice, but there is power and magic in writing your goals on paper! Write them down, then review them, think about them and up-date them every week. It may only take 20 minutes, but it will double your rate of success — I guarantee it!

Show up! Many of life’s most important achievements simply require that we show up, pay attention, tell the truth, work hard, go the extra mile and do our best! Superior performance is not about the future, or the past. It’s about doing a superior job right now, on the work that lies right in front of you.

Eliminate Distractions. Keep your eye on the ball. Life is full of frustrations and distractions. Successful people do NOT tolerate the things that drive most of crazy – they take the time to stop, solve the problem and eliminate the distraction once and for all. Stay focused!

Manage your environment. Top performers know that space management is more important than time management,and they have neat offices, clean cars, orderly appointment books and they keep an extra suit at the office, just in case. Make your office (and your home) a space where you can do your very best work.

Read every day. Read something useful, challenging or fun every day. If you only spend 20 minutes with a book that motivates, excites and educates you, it will make a world of difference. I promise! Aim to read at least one book every month!

Attend a ‘University on Wheels’. Listen to educational, motivational and fun tapes while you drive. At least listen to soothing, appropriate music, rather than the ‘terror of the day”’ on talk radio! Fill your mind with the BEST information you can find!

Set up routines and use the best resources you can find to stay on course. Coach yourself to the top!

Here’s to your success!

SOURCENOTE: Resources for Success!™ by Emyr Williams