After reading my last post, you possibly read Patrick’s comment also.  Patrick talks about how he’s thinking through using elevator statements and what will work for him.  He gives you a good example of what the process of wrestling with elevator statements is like.

Though there is undoubtedly more value to the process that this, creating elevator statements is helpful if for no other reason than it forces you to put words to what you want to say.  Choosing words in advance of a new situation (like one where you need to boldly state:  “I’m a life coach”), is what many of us need to do to feel comfortable when that situation arises.  (I know, there are many of you who are really comfortable with most anything that trips off your tongue - in many ways I envy that - it’s just not me).  So for anyone like me, just hearing yourself say the words (yes, even in front of the mirror or into the cell phone recorder for personal playback) can be really helpful.

But, is there really a canned, one-size-fits-all-potential-interactions statement that will be your ticket to success as a life coach?  I haven’t found that for myself.  Rather, for me it’s important to enter all conversations bringing my authentic self, hopefully including my natural curiosity and true compassion for who I’m talking with (I dont’ mean to say that I always accomplish this).  I find that being concerned about when to interject a prepared statement causes me to lose a focus on compassionate interest in the person with whom I’m talking - and I’m not willing to lose that.

From personal experience, I am happy to report that it is possible to get confortable with “elevator-statements-moments.”  You can comfortably and effectively communicate what you do - “I’m a life coach” - in an authentic manner that engages people and interests them in purchasing your services.  I’ll share more about this in my next post.

BTW, I invite you to participate in this discussion - please tell me what about elevator statements is working well for you and what your challenges are.  If you haven’t commented on a blog post before, here’s a great opportunity.  Click on “comments” below and follow the prompts to speak your heart and mind - I would love to “hear” your voice.

Today I shared in a coaching class about starting a coaching business.  At the end of the hour, a great question was asked and I wanted to respond more fully, so I said I’d blog on the topic.  This series is especially for Chris and Judy’s class, but the rest of you are welcomed to join in as well!

The question was about “elevator statements.”  You know - those really exciting one-sentence blurbs that you’re supposed to be able to rattle off at gunpoint, if ever necessary.  The words are so compelling that in the time it takes for a short elevator ride you have someone hearing your sentence, understanding your services and then begging to pay you for, this case, coaching.

This method of selling clearly works for some people.  We wouldn’t be discussing “elevator statements” if they didn’t.  Can they work for everyone?  I guess - in theory.  Are they worth the time to consider - to write and practice while standing in front of the mirror - especially in coach traning when you are learning about marketing and sales?  Absolutely, yes;  no question. 

OK.  I’ll flat out admit it.  I found it extremely difficult to write and use an elevator statement.  I’m guessing the person class today who asked the question was experiencing the same thing.  With a very sincere tone, he dared to ask the question - something like, “elevator statements; do you really use them?” 

Actually, for me, writing elevator statements wasn’t as difficult as using them.  Everything I came up with in writing, no matter how converstational I tried to be, it never sounded authentic.  The sound was stiff and laborious, and I always felt like I was being instructional and overly-explanitory.

My point in this post is to say if creating elevator statements is not coming naturally for you, know that you are not alone.  Don’t panic;  struggling with elevator statements is not a predictor of coaching business success.  

Please return to my blog over the next couple of weeks for ways to deal with elevator statement challenges.  After that, I’ll move on to an equally challenging topic for new coaches:  answering the question “what is your niche?”

Tim Olson, a coach friend of mine from here in Minneapolis, attended the conference in Charlotte on June 4 and 5.  I asked him to share about his opportunity to connect there with other coaches interested a topic near and dear to his heart.

Linda Hedberg:  Tim, I know you facilitated a roundtable discussion at the Christian Coaches Network conference a couple of weeks ago – the topic was coaching missionaries.  Tell me about that.

Tim Olson:  This was a great group of coaches who really want to have an impact on the world of missions to bring Jesus to the nations. Unfortunately, we all feel isolated and/or unsure how to go about it. In the round table, we were able to tell each other our experiences and vision for coaching this slice of society and to glean ideas and encouragement.

The fact is there are many coaching efforts happening “out there” but very little communication between them. The vision we shared at the round table was that some day, coaching will be an automatic part of a missionary’s schedule and support raising. We have seen the impact in terms of reducing burnout, increasing effectiveness and bringing life balance.

Linda:  Tell me about the Mission Coaches Network.
Tim:  Yes, I was asked to host the round table because of the Mission Coaches Network, which I co-started with Tina Stoltzfus-Horst. We have the same purpose: to learn from one another and to help lay tracks to take coaching to the world of missions. In effect, we hold a round table every month as a teleconference around various specific topics related to issues that both the missionaries and the coaches face.
Linda:  Who attends the Mission Coaches Network teleconferences?
Tim:  It is an open group and new coaches join us regularly. Interested coaches can contact me at mitolson@comcast.net for details on joining us.

Linda:  Thanks, Tim!

Tim Olson has his own business as a personal life coach after years as a pastor, teacher, school principal, business owner and missionary.  In addition, he works as a leadership coach for Dads First, a ministry for fathers in the US and in Ukraine. Also a speaker and writer, Tim received his coach training in the Christian track of the Institute for Life Coach Training.  He is a member of the Christian Coaches Network.   Tim can be reached at mitolson@comcast.net.      

Here are some key concepts from the workshop Jerome Daley and I presented last week at the Association of Marriage and Family Ministries conference last week:

• When Life balance is out-of-whack, a door is opened for the thief to steal and kill and destroy true life in Christ.  This is as true for you as it is for those you serve in ministry.  (reference John 10:10)
• Balance is not about “self-actualization.”  It is not, at the core, about improving the quality of your life (although of course it will).  Balance is about something bigger and more vital to eternity than our comfort.
• Balance occurs when we assign kingdom value accurately upon the earth.  Imbalance, then, is when we get confused about what is really important.
• We will never achieve complete balance here on this earth.  We are either moving toward greater balance, or away from it.  The role of the coach is to facilitate movement toward balance as much as possible.
• As always, look to Jesus as the example.

The workshop was packed with examples of Jesus and other scriptural references.  We provided practical tools - lots of handouts - for participants to use either for their own journey toward balance or for use with those they minister to.

If you have interest in scheduling this workshop for your church, community or conference, please contact me at linda@lifestoriescoaching.com.

Coaching for Life Balance in Ministry was the workshop Jerome Daley and I presented as part of the life coaching track at the Association of Marriage and Family Ministries conference in Charlotte, NC, USA, last week.  Christopher McCluskey did a workshop called A Crash Course in Christian Coaching.  Judy Santos and Susan Whitcomb presented on Coaching through Life’s Transitions.  Other Christian Coaching Network members presented on topics including Basic Coaching Skills, Coaching skills Applied to Christian Leadership, and Coaching for Health and Wellness.

The AMFM included the life coaching track in the conference training schedule to introduce members to classic professional coaching and to further inform and equip members for effective ministry.  The AMFM members are primarily counselors, pastors and ministry leaders, from across the country, all with a passion for marriage and family ministries.  This was a rich opportunity to spread further throughout the Christian community the value of coaching and to offer coaching tools and support.

The AMFM experience reminds me of Judy Santos’ discussion of emerging trends in Christian coaching, posted at this blog on February 2.  Professionally trained Christian coaches are increasingly seeing more opportunities within the community of Christian leaders and churches to contribute coaching education , resources and support.

Pioneers of Christian coaching have for years been blazing trails and creating paths for other Christian coaches to follow.  I, for one, thank them for their work and commitment.

All for the glory and purposes of God!

I just returned to Minneapolis from a week in Charlotte, NC, USA.  I attended the combined Christian Coaches Network conference (last Monday and Tuesday) and the Association of Marriage and Family Ministries conference (Wednesday-Friday).  What a blessing to spend time with other Christian coaches, with a rich blend of experience, professional coach training and callings.  A great opportunity for brand new Christian coaches to learn from experienced pioneers in the field of Christian coaching - and for all of us to share with each other in the ways God is using coaches who are Christians to further his purposes and glory.

This was the third CCN conference I’ve attended.  The first was held in Virginia Beach, VA, USA, in 2003.  The second was in Seattle, WA, USA, in 2004.  It is surely fun to meet friends in person after getting to know each other over the phone.  (It’s also a bit odd for me because I find I create a sense of physical presence when I’ve shared phone calls with people - then when we are actually physically present with one another my original sense is far enough off that I have to adjust.  Job “hazard” I guess - and a small one at that.) 

The biggest blessing I experience when getting together with CCN coaches is noticing how God is working in a variety of ways - using different coach training programs (including secular ones) and different backgrounds/styles/experiences to ignite different callings (from ministry to business) in Christian coaches all for his purposes.  I love the diversity and this reflection and presence of the body of Christ in our profession. 

Those of us who extended our time in Charlotte to spend time with the larger AMFM group enjoyed giving to and receiving from them.  I’ll write more about this in my next post.  Look for several upcoming posts with more about this time for Christian coaches in Charlotte.

As always, let me know how I can serve you, either here at the blog or via e-mail at linda@lifestoriescoaching.com 

Last month, I attended a teleforum hosted by Milana Leshinsky featuring successful, experienced coaches offering “coaching predictions” for 2007.  I got to thinking about the field of Christian coaching and wondered what successful, experienced Christian coaches would have to say about emerging trends in Christian coaching for 2007. 

So, I contacted Judy Santos, Master Certified Coach and Founder/President of the Christian Coaches Network and asked her to share her thoughts.  She graciously responded by offering her thoughts on twelve trends she sees as new and growing in 2007, including:

The start of the WebCafe Marketing Class is just one week away!

Beth Cole (“webservant” and web marketing expert from www.proimpact.com ) and I are looking forward to joining those of you – including new and experienced Christian life coaches - who have already reserved your place at the WebCafe!

Leaves are changing color and shine brightly against blue-sky backdrops.  Some are already falling and dance gently in the cool crisp breeze. 

Here in Minnesota, we are fully experiencing the beauty of autumn.

Lest you be lulled to sleep by poetic imagery, I must announce a wake-up call. 

To all Christian life coaches who plan to do business in 2007, I must remind you that it’s what you do today that brings results three months (and further) down the road. 

In just three months, we will be ringing in the New Year.  Potential clients will be making resolutions and considering how to make the most of 2007.  You can help them “make the most.”

How will they find you? 

The time is now – yes, now in October - to create and begin executing a marketing plan designed to support business for 2007.

My blog-tour of the www.christiancoachingresources.com site continues. 

Christian Coaching Resources exists to provide valuable resources and information for new and prospective Christian coaches.  The following books do not specifically include a Christian perspective.  However, they offer great info that can be used by any Christian coach to contribute to an effective marketing plan.  Go to the site and find the following:

Could you use an easy-to-read useful information tool that will help you clarify distinctions between life coaching and other similar types of relationships? 

Within the Christian community, people often consider the differences between life coaching and…