In order to become – and remain – a top performer in any field, it’s my belief that you need a coach.  Even if you’ve been adept at your practice area for decades, you’re not exempt from a basic, universal human truth:  it’s impossible for us to see ourselves the way that others see us.  Because of this, we often judge ourselves based not only on what we actually do, but also on our intentions and motivations. Not so for the people around us; they respond to us based on what we do.

It’s important to have someone who knows your goals and who will honestly and constructively help you see how you really come across, and what the actual impact of your actions is.  How can you make changes and improvements if you don’t really know what you need to do? Even if nothing is particularly wrong, getting a different perspective on things can change your outlook and enrich your professional life.

In addition to giving you an accurate reflection of yourself and helping you figure out what direction you need to take, a coach is someone to whom you can be accountable. Having someone who will keep tabs on how you’re progressing toward your goals, and who will challenge you if you’re falling short on promises you’ve made yourself, is an essential element of actually reaching your destination.

Even Google CEO, Eric Schmidt, has a coach. Consider his Forbes magazine interview on the value of coaching: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVfeezxmYcA.

For those of you who do have a coach – how has he or she helped you improve your practice?

Robert Armstrong
President & Co-Founder
American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.
6050 Santo Road, Suite 240
San Diego, CA 92124
(800) 846-1555
www.aaepa.com