What is a Work Coach? - DBR 004

If you want to be a pro, get a coach.

In this episode, I'll discuss how you can get better at what you do by describing what I do and why you might be interested.

Just like everyone else, when I meet people they ask me what I do. Because it's pretty unique, I'm still working on how to explain it in 20 seconds rather than 20 minutes.

I'm a work coach. I help white collar workers, people in professions, and knowledge workers get better at their work

I don't teach lawyers about the law. I don't teach accountants about the IRS or about Quickbooks. So, how do I help professionals get better.

All professionals need an underlying skill set, similar to professional athletes who need an underlying athleticism - fitness, cardio, speed, etc.

The underlying skill set for professionals is work management. This consists of identifying, defining, and organizing your work. It also involves managing information and communications.

Schools don't teach these skills. We don't teach them to entry level employees when they get their first job. It's unfortunate.

I'm not a life coach. I'm not going to ask you about your five-year goals. I'm not going to help you figure out your 'passion'. These are valuable ideas, I just don't do that. I can recommend some really great people if that's what you feel you need.

I'm a 'player's coach'. I'm going to help you work on your technique around managing your work.

If you're like most people, you have a technique. But it's not a carefully engineered PROCESS for managing work. Most likely, it's some sort of system that you've cobbled together from hints and tips. You've tried to copy what you see your peers doing.

But, as Dave Ramsey says, "If you do what you see everyone else doing, you'll be just as broke as they are." In the same way, if you do what you see your peers doing, you'll be just as stressed, confused, and uncertain as they are.

If your work management technique is poor, you will have certain symptoms: stress, uncertainty, wasted time, lack of balance.

You'll try to work 'harder', usually meaning more hours. You'll feel more pressure to multitask. You'll push tasks along rather than completing and delivering them. You'll be buried in email and paper. You'll worry about burnout and work-life balance.

Once we fix your technique (it takes about eight weeks - just eight hours), those symptoms will decrease. You'll feel more calm and confident about your work. You'll be better able to deliver on your tasks, with greater speed. You'll find time for your most important relationships. You'll feel less time is wasted.

That's what I teach...

Attention Compass is an engineered process for managing tasks, information, and attention. It's a tune up for your work and management technique. That makes me a coach.

If you're tired of struggling with poor technique, let's talk.