![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.coachcert.com\/coachingblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/coaching-150x150.jpg\")
<\/p>\nPlanning and taking action is foundational to what happens in the future – you are starting a habit of moving forward.\u00a0 Planning and action are essential to being successful as a coach.\u00a0 Start listing specific actions and creating a timeline, and then take action!<\/p>\n
Areas for Research<\/strong><\/p>\n Research on opportunities includes looking at jobs that request or require coach training and also jobs where opportunities are enhanced.\u00a0 A note: SHRM cites coaching as a skill area and ATD cites coaching as a core competency.\u00a0 Increasingly coaching is recognized as a leadership skill.\u00a0 In addition to jobs that specifically include coaching, having coaching skills enhances results and thus enhances opportunities for advancement in most positions.\u00a0 This means the research may focus on the use of coaching skills in current roles or professions.<\/p>\n For many business owners, including consultants, mental health professionals, attorneys, accountants, and project managers, coaching enhances the work you are already doing plus it is a value-add service to sell.<\/p>\n If you are looking at coaching as a business, look at what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur, talk to your network and ask for their input, and research companies that contract for coaching services.<\/p>\n Choosing the Right Coach Training<\/strong><\/p>\n Choosing coaching certification<\/a> includes looking at options, credibility, cost, and location.\u00a0 Remember, all training is not created equal.<\/p>\n In terms of options, focus on the hundreds of programs that have been approved by the International Coach Federation.\u00a0 For additional credibility, look at schools that are members of the Association of Coach Training Organizations<\/a>, ACTO.\u00a0 Another indicator of credibility is accreditation by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training because of the rigor behind standards for designing and delivering training.<\/p>\n The cost can range from several hundred for non-approved programs to tens of thousands of dollars for programs that may or may not be approved.\u00a0 The location of classes can be online, in major cities, or a combination of both options.\u00a0 Often the schedule is a factor too, so look at that as soon as you decide to move forward because you may want the option of joining a class in your area simply because it is the only class in your area that year.<\/p>\n