Yesterday I asked you to consider which was most important to you, your personal entertainment or your personal development.  Then I asked you to take the “Calendar and Check Register Test” to measure your actual values.

I have asked this question of many people, and the overwhelming response is… guilt. Most people want to say they value personal development more highly than they do personal entertainment.  The “Calendar and Check Register Test” tells them otherwise.

Possible conclusion: the cost of personal and professional development may not be too high, but your investment may be too low. And I mean your investment of money, time AND emotion.

I always look forward to discussing cost with potential coaching clients, both individuals and corporate coaching prospects. Why? After all, “pricing” discussions make most people uncomfortable.  For me, the cost discussion reveals whether coaching is a sound investment for my prospective clients, it reveals possible ROI, and it reveals whether it is a sound investment for me. One thing I have learned in 20 years of coaching: I cannot be more invested in your success than you are.

I discuss Three Elements of Cost with every potential personal, professional or organizational prospect I serve. In fact, this may be one of the most valuable yet free services I provide to everyone, because it includes free coaching. Our conversation goes something like this:

First, there is the Cost of Money. The currency of financial cost, of course, is dollars and cents. I am sure, if you are like me and most people, no matter what I tell you about financial investment, it will be more than you want to pay. Correct?

Second, there is the Cost of Time. Of course, the currency of time cost is hours, days, maybe weeks, months or even years. I am sure, if you are like me and most people, no matter what I tell you about the cost of time may be, it will be more than you want to spend. Correct?

Third, there is the Cost of Change. The currency of change is not so obvious. The currency of change is commitment.  Would you agree that until we accurately determine your commitment to change, the cost of time and money is irrelevant? 

At this point in our discussion, whether this individual or organization ends up hiring me or not, our coaching relationship begins (because I find few people are able to pinpoint the source of their motivation and commitment without asking at least a few more questions).  These questions reveal, for me and for the person-being-coached, actual commitment to success and change that allows us both to make wise decisions.

In summary, if you are unhappy, dissatisfied, want improved results or simply to want to take your life and/or business “to the next level and beyond”, your investment of time and money cannot possibly be “too high” if your commitment to success is real.

Besides, aren’t you worth it?
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