I’ve taken quiet a passion in coaching this last year. I haven’t written much about it because I wanted to see it it was a real passion or was I just part of the latest growing fad.

I’ve been using Donna Schilder as a coach for some time and looking back, I am so happy I did. It wasn’t easy at first. Ain’t nothing wrong with me! Maybe, there’s never really anything wrong with anyone, still it always helps to have a neutral third party to brainstorm with. And what I found is simply amazing.

Donna helped me open up new horizons I barely suspected. I’ve always been busy chasing many business ventures all at once, and I excel at it. The busier, the more engaging. Back when I had my computer and network consulting business in New York city, I loved working with so many people from such varied backgrounds and skills, getting in touch web developers with database programmers, interfacing between clients desires and IT folks, mediating between business demands and technical realities. It was fun wearing so many hats.

So this whole coaching thing got me thinking how I miss my consulting role and how I could integrate coaching with real estate. Coaching is not consulting. Consultant tell people what to do, mentors cheer people and advise them on what to do, coaches help you discover yourself and help you reach your goals. In other words, they help YOU bring it out of yourself. I feel so many Realtors need help right now. Facing this new market is difficult but not impossible. Setting the foundations for a better tomorrow is crucial and can be done easily, with a little help.

I am starting my coaching practice. I will focus on Realtors and start ups. I deeply understand both, having had many startups and being a Realtor. Helping professionals define their goals, assess them, helping them implement their dreams and setting acheiveable, measurable goals is something I enjoy doing. It comes naturally for me. It’s fascinating sitting down with someone and sorting out a way to achieve their goals. I believe now, more than ever is the right time for Realtors to sit down and think things through. A well informed Realtor with a clear vision of his or her goals and an understanding of the market will place her or him on a path to success tomorrow. Laying down the foundation involves having a business plan, working on contingencies, anticipating probabilities or at the very least, being ready for eventualities.

I will be away for a week this month for another trainning in a University that specializes in coaching.

I am surrounded with people in real estate and hear so many who have well over 30 years into the business, some half a century saying they have never seen a market like this. Indeed, this market is a killer. However, those who are willing to sit down, invest their time and energy today are paving a successful tomorrow.

So, here’s to Coaching!