Coaching developing… JibberJobber is a tool for the end user, but over the last year we’ve been putting in coaching tools to enhance a coach/client relationship and help with accountability. Some coaches love it, other coaches find it too much (there is a wide spectrum of coaches and styles, as you know :p). Shoot me an e-mail if you want more info on it.

The way that I start is, after I have the idea, figure out the table of contents, do a quick brainstorm/braindump, start putting peices of that into appropriate chapters, hold on to the rest for future reference, and then flesh out each chapter. We just finished that TODAY, and now we will go back and put in the polishing things, the tips boxes, quotes from others, and some kind of actionable list (something missing from my first book).

I wouldn’t claim to be a pro at it though. Maybe one day I’ll do a webinar on it.

Deb Dib, great comments. I wonder how many of us self-motivated people think that coaching is, perhaps, a sign of weakness? That we even need someone else’s help? Funny thing is, when I tell people I have a coach they relate their own experiences with their coach, and it’s always beneficial.

Tiffany, I have no secrets :p To get 1,000 contacts in this category it was kind of easy, there are lots of online directories of coaches and resume writers, and of course Google is pretty helpful

I’m not sure about this second book thing, I do think I’m a nut for trying it. I can’t believe that it’s so close to the first book. But I vow (don’t hold me to it) to NOT write a book in 2008!

How much time do I spend writing – good question – right now, probably 6 – 8 hours a day. I think it’s a way to dispel nervous energy, though, since there are times when I’m waiting for others on various other projects, and I have the time (kind of).

The only secret I have was given to me by Thom Singer over dinner this January. He said “write something for your book every day, for 45 minutes.” I wish I took his advice when he told it to me. That is the #1 bit of advice that I spread. But I have noticed, this time, that I have a system down, so I’m not reinventing the process. I’m no expert though, Louise has written over 20 books (I think).

It’s also incredible that you have a manuscript for a second book. I’m curious how much time you spend writing. Publishing a book is a goal of mine, but even getting my thesis completed is a major, time-consuming task. What are your writing secrets?

I’ve realized over the years that I am a creative type, and I freely admit that organization and focus on the big picture are challenges for me — Pat helps with that tremendously. And she’s a great cheerleader, which, as a solopreneur, is a nice thing to have

As a senior exec coach myself, I’ve never had a client that didn’t benefit from coaching, no matter how accomplished he or she was. Coaching is the catalyst many people need to help bring out, work toward, and achieve their very best (even dreams they thought were unattainable) in a way that they may not have been able to identify, or work toward, on their own. It’s very cool.

Deb Dib, the CEO Coach
“Unabashedly passionate about helping visionary, gutsy, fun leaders with a conscience build great careers, mold great companies, and even change the world a bit.”