One such idea was that paying someone simply for accountability was a giant waste of money. At the time, I would not have argued against hiring a coach, but was vehemently against the idea of making that investment simply because it would make you take action. I believed that what really needed to happen was an improvement in one’s accountability to oneself, which would be rooted in self-respect of boundaries and would make a coach obsolete. I think what was really happening was my own fear of being held responsible for someone else’s success was very activating for me, and I denied the whole process as a result. Since then, I’ve changed my tune. Here’s why:

Two things can be true: it’s not my job as the coach to take action and I am an important catalyst for change. I see myself as more of a tour guide and my client is the one “driving the bus”. I am holding the map, I can help you see what roads are blocked, and I certainly offer up a mirror to reflect things that you might be missing. I’m not the one applying the gas pedal but I can be there when you’re afraid of missing the turn.