When I share that I’m in the business of coaching and training, people often ask me what the difference is between the two.
So what is coaching, and what is training? How and when do you need each one?
Let’s start with training: Training is all about learning and mastering a new skill. It’s something which is typically going to be focused on a specific topic, or set of topics associated with a role, and it’s often going to have a set timeframe in which it is delivered. Training can inspire action however it very rarely includes any kind of accountability.
Coaching is much more fluid. Coaching is a longer term relationship associated with a goal. The coaching itself is more conversational where the coachee is receiving advice over a long time period to break past challenges in pursuit of their ultimate goal. Coaching almost always includes an accountability aspect and topics will progress as opportunities and new challenges present themselves.
An easy way to consider the difference between them is in how the information is delivered and absorbed: Training typically delivers information in a more prescriptive manner: “Do this, not this”, Or “Do this, then this, then this and then that will happen.” Training is the Step by step guide to follow a system and reach an outcome. Coaching tends to be more focused on situational advice and often the participant is guided towards self discovery. The powerful part is that if the coachee owns the decision, they are more likely to own the commitment to following through with it.
🕵️ So which one is better? Which one do you need right now?🕵️
Both coaching and training are part of a balanced diet for a personal growth. Training is essential for you to develop the skills you need to thrive without wasting time and energy experimenting. The most painful lesson I learned in business was understanding that people have done this before and you are wiser to learn from their setbacks and victories rather than trying to develop your own method for everything. Start first with a proven foundational model and then once you’ve mastered it, move onto experimentation and creativity.
This means, if you are new, seek training.
In your first few years of business there are so many things to learn. Getting started in real estate not only necessitates sales skills, you also need to develop business acumen. Financial management, tracking, taxes, expense management, goal setting and leverage of tools, systems and people could encompass a lifetime of study. Meanwhile you are distracted trying to keep clients happy while closing enough deals to keep the lights on. There is a lot to learn and fortunately there is also an abundance of training out there, so go get plugged into it!
Once you've established yourself, find a great coach.
Training will give you the foundation of a new skillset. Once you have the basics, a coach helps you level up. Find a coach who has been where you want to go and they help you sort through the options you have so your time and energy is maximized. Consider the goals you have and look closely at the challenges ahead in reaching them, think about where you want your business to grow and how you want your life set up. What will you need to establish? What will you need to learn? Who will you need to find or partner with? Who do you need to become?
Your personal growth and development isn’t a snapshot in time. It’s a lifelong journey.
Getting where you are going without a plan as to how you will get there is foolhardy, so should you have a plan for your personal growth?
Look as far ahead as you can and think about what you want your life to look like. Don’t limit your considerations to business, I see people making this mistake all the time. Put ample consideration into what you want your time to be spent on, what you want to earn and what other aspects of your life will need your attention.
I recommend looking out 3 years in advance. It’s far enough that you could do something pretty remarkable while still being close enough that you have an idea of what it’ll look like. Set big goals, this way even if they are a stretch you can still get there by year 5. Ask yourself as many questions as you can, and start with the personal side:
Personal Questions to consider when planning your long term growth:
How old will you be?
How old will your children be?
How many hours per week would you like to spend working?
How many weeks off per year would you like to be able to take?
What other projects or focus would you like to have in your life?
Professional questions to consider when planning long term growth:
What aspects of your business would you like to be focused on?
What role would you like to occupy within your business?
What are your income goals?
What other income would you like to create?
Outside of your business, what will be driving your personal wealth?
Who will work with you in your business?
Who will be succeeding you in your roles?
Who do you need to become in order to attract and lead these people?
You will only get out of life what you pursue, and the good stuff doesn’t come easy. The bright side is that it can be easier if you take the guesswork out of the equation and get there faster if you open yourself up to the support available.
Surround yourself with the best people you can find and over time you’ll change to become the kind of person others aspire to be closer to. Stay tuned for next week and I’ll be sharing how to map out a plan for yourself.
As always, thanks for reading!
Sean