Coaching comes in many forms throughout our lifetime. Think about it—coaching is simply someone coming alongside you to help you achieve your goals. Your parents were likely your first coaches, guiding you through walking, manners, and life skills. Teachers coached you academically and professionally. Sports coaches helped you develop physical skills and teamwork. Are you coachable?

Coaching doesn’t stop in childhood. It’s a powerful tool for growth in every stage of life.

Who Are Our Coaches?

If you don’t get caught up in the word coach, you’ll realize that they come in many different forms. Here are just a few examples:

• Pastors
• Counselors & Therapists
• Books & Podcasts
• Life Coaches
• Business Coaches
• Mentors
• Consultants
• Health & Fitness
• Me, Your Aging Well Coach

Coaches don’t always come with a title, but they do come with wisdom and experience that can guide you in the right direction.

You Don’t Know It All (And That’s Okay!)

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “You don’t know what you don’t know.” That couldn’t be more true. One of my biggest takeaways from college was realizing how much there is to learn. The deeper you dive into a subject, the more you discover just how much you don’t know. If you’ve ever gone down a Google or YouTube rabbit hole, you understand this feeling!

That’s exactly what a coach does—they help you navigate your learning curve. They’ve already walked the path you’re on, so they have insights, experience, and shortcuts that can save you time, energy, and money. Trust them.

The Recipe for Success

Speaking of trust, I like to think of coaching like following a recipe. Whenever I try a new dish, I follow the recipe exactly as written the first time. If I’m baking a cake, I measure every ingredient carefully, set the oven to the exact temperature, and follow each step.

Most of the time, I’m happy with the result! But occasionally, I realize a small tweak would make it better—maybe a little less sugar, a slightly different baking time, or an added spice to enhance the flavor. The next time I make it, I adjust accordingly.

Coaching works the same way. When you receive advice from a mentor, don’t dismiss it right away. Try it as is first. Then, if necessary, tweak it to fit your style. When my daughter was younger, I told her she had to try a new food five times before deciding she didn’t like it. The same applies to personal growth—give new strategies an honest try before deciding they’re not for you.

The Role of a Coach

A coach is not your parent, boss, or employee. Their job isn’t to tell you what to do or do the work for you. Instead, they:

• Listen to your needs and goals
• Offer guidance and perspective
• Help you develop a plan of action
• Hold you accountable to your progress

However, coaching only works when you find the right fit. Look for someone whose values align with yours, someone who challenges you but doesn’t intimidate you. The best coach isn’t just experienced—they’re someone who can take you to the next level.

Are You Coachable?

We weren’t made to navigate life alone. Whether it’s through a book, podcast, mentor, or professional coach, being open to guidance is key to personal and professional growth. The right advice, at the right time, can change everything.

Stay open. Stay coachable. Keep growing. And always remember—you are royal. 💜

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Purple Essence By Evelyn, your partner in aging well and achieving your best self.