A mix of different topics providing support and solutions for a range of problems and questions were deliberately selected. You’ll notice that there is a mix of books, audio and other products spaced throughout the 12 days. Some will be more appealing if you are new to coaching, whilst others will be more attractive if you have more experience.

I invite you to explore the following and decide which one is most useful for you.

Day 1 – “The Life Coaching Connection: How Coaching Changes Lives” by Steve Chandler

Day 2 – Get Clients in 30 Days by Elizabeth Purvis

Day 3 – Playing Cards For Happy Managers & Happier Employees

Day 4 – The One Page Business Plan: The fastest, easiest way to write a business plan by Jim Horan

Day 5 – “Effortless Success” by Michael Neill

Day 6 – “The 8th Habit: From effectiveness to greatness” by Stephen R. Covey

Day 7 – Time Trade

Day 8 – “Coaching for performance” by Sir John Whitmore

Day 9 – Maestro Conference

Day 10 – “Get Unstuck & Get Going … on the stuff that matters” by Michael Bungay Stanier

Day 11 – From Non-Coach to Coach Discovery Session

Day 12 – Adopt A Word

There are many other coaching resources out there, like on this list, some are complimentary and others require an exchange of money. Coaches, if you were to add one extra coaching resource to this list what would you add and why?

Feel free to share you thoughts in the comments box.

Today’s final resource in our 12 days of coaching resources is:

Adopt a word

You may be aware that for many years animal charities and organisations have given the option of adopting an animal. Are you aware that you can also adopt a word?

Today’s coaching resource is perhaps not one that will immediately spring to many coaches mind as a resource. However, I wanted to include in this list something that also benefits the work of a charity, particularly as Christmas is associated with giving.

One of the things many coaches focus upon is language and paying attention to the words that individuals use. So I thought it was appropriate that this coaching resource is all about words.

Adopting a word is an unusual gift idea whether you want to use it as a promotional present or to give as a personal thank you or sign or appreciation.

Not only do you get a certificate* confirming your word’s adoption but you have the option to “flaunt” your adoption with added merchandise with your word on such as T-shirts, mugs and key rings.

(* Note that this is a UK based charity so if ordering from or for outside of the UK do check about delivery options for the country in question.)

To adopt a word visit here.

Missed Day 11′s coaching resource? Find it here.

From Non-Coach to Coach Discovery Session

Each month I offer a handful of From Non-Coach to Coach discovery sessions. It’s something I started doing as one big problem I’ve noticed that many coaches struggle with is the transition between being a non-coach to a coach.

Often their focus is upon what they think they “should” be doing. This often means that they either miss the chances to serve (and even profit) from opportunities already waiting for them or they are too scared to take the next step.

I love to be of service to coaches, particularly those who are just starting out on their coaching journey! So I’ve created a special 1 hour session to help with this problem, my From Non-Coach to Coach Discovery Session.

Scheduling wise I can only offer a small number of these sessions a month but they are open to all.

Your consultation will be laser-focused on one thing, and one thing only: You becoming the coach you want to be.

You get my expertise, loving strong coaching, AND specific action steps to move you forward quickly. Together, we’ll …

• Create a crystal-clear vision of exactly what being a coach means for you and how it fits with your business and lifestyle goals.

• Establish exactly what’s been holding you back from making that transition to become a coach and why you are not already serving clients.

• Identify next action steps for you to easily make that transition from non-coach to coach

I’ll lay out specific action steps for you, and finally, I will make at least one coach’s request to you to get you going. And the best part?

Your 60-minute From Non-Coach to Coach Discovery Session is absolutely FREE

If you are longing to step up, get out there, start getting clients, start making money AND be of greater service to the world …you can see what a tremendous opportunity this is!

The only “catch” is … you have to act fast to get one of this January’s sessions!

To claim one of these FREE sessions, here’s all you need to do:

The first of two steps to booking your from Non-Coach to Coach Discovery session is to visit here and answer a few simple questions.

Once you have done that you will be transferred to an external page that will let you schedule from a selection of available time slots.

Remember I only have space to do a few of these per month so if you want to get the benefit of a session I suggest you act now by clicking here.

Missed Day 10′s coaching resource? Find it here.

“Get Unstuck & Get Going … on the stuff that matters” by Michael Bungay Stanier

There are two physical aspects to this resource. The first part is The Action Acceleration Sheet ™ containing coaching elements and questions to help you get unstuck and take action.

The second part of the resource can be used alongside The Action Acceleration Sheet to create a powerful tool or as a stand alone creativity catalyst. Physically, this part of the resource is set out as “flip” pages.

The “flip” pages are sorted into three sections:

• Inspiring stories,
• provocative quotes
• and powerful models.

The idea is that you randomly select a flip in each of the sections and use that to assist you get a new perspective, inspiration and tap into your own creativity and wisdom. Together the flips in all three sections can give 125,000 different combinations.

Personally I find that the format and design of this resource really aids it’s use and makes it really easy to either quickly “dip into” for a boost of inspiration or to take slightly longer to focus on getting unstuck.

It is a product that you can either use alone or with a client/coach/colleague etc. As this is a coaching resource then you probably won’t be surprised about the suggestion that you add an aspect of accountability to assist you to get unstuck. However, it is possible to add accountability without a second person physically working with this resource with you – unless that is your preference.

Using all the sections on offer with this resource you can:

• Define the challenge you are facing,
• inspire new solutions,
• create an action plan to overcome obstacles
• and then take action and get things going.

To find out more about this resource and to get your own copy visit here.

Missed Day 9′s resource? Find it here.

Maestro Conference

So what is the difference between running an event “live” in person and a teleclass?

Traditionally, teleclasses may have provided much more geographical flexibility and convenience, making it easier for attendees to participate from around the world with no travelling.

However, the technology meant that the structure of your content was restricted to being presented as one large conversation. Your delegates may or may not have been able to vocally participate but when they did share it was with the entire group, one at a time.

One giant conversation can work but you loose some of the interactivity and flexibility that live events can offer. Even with a compelling speaker realistically there can only be minimal interaction with each individual caller.

It can be far too easy for participants to multi-task whilst on the call – checking emails etc and easily get distracted from the class you have prepared. There’s also the added complication that some may not immediately be comfortable talking on a call when they know the whole group also listening.

There is now technology that will allow far more interactivity and flexibility over the phone (or Skype) so that your event is much more like having an event “live” in person.

Maestroconference allows you to have the option of having break-out groups during your call. Allowing you to divide all participants into groups of your choosing so that they can talk to each other without hearing what all the other groups are saying at the same time. You can then bring everyone back into one conversation. When in break out groups, you and any other assistants/speakers you nominate, can “walk the room” listening and participating with different groups.

This technology also allows you to ask participants to vote using their phone keypads – which as leader you can see on screen what people’s response is on a web interface and allow you to capture that information if necessary.

Video, Powerpoint and desktop sharing is currently in beta testing but is an option that that they are currently exploring so that a visual aspect can also be included in calls.

I know the first time I participated as a delegate I was immediately struck at how much more this technology allowed – and the positive benefit the added interactivity brings to the experience.

To find out more about MaestroConferences latest developments and even experience the live interactive platform in a demo visit www.maestroconference.com

Missed Day 8′s coaching resource? Find it here.

“Coaching for performance” by Sir John Whitmore

Sir John Whitmore does have a background in sport, having begun his career as a professional racing driver and founding a sport and business training company with Tim Gallwey (Author of such books as The inner game to tennis).

However, you’ll find that as you read this book the main focus is from a business perspective. This does not mean that the skills, models and ideas discussed can not be transfered into other arenas – the book just doesn’t use those examples and you will have to create your own

This book has sold over 500,000 copies in at least 17 languages. It’s a book that has been popular in the corporate world for new managers as it’s presented in a user friendly manner, you’ll find that it’s written in a concise style with any “jargon” clearly explained. Presenting coaching as a method to grow people, performance and purpose.

One of the first coaching models that many coaching schools teach is GROW. You’ll find that this book provides an overview of the model and each section within it’s pages. Which is perhaps why this book is many people’s first coaching book.

Whilst earlier editions will vary in how the book is arranged, you’ll find that the latest edition is divided into 4 sections:

• The Principles of Coaching;
• The Practice of Coaching;
• Leadership for High Performance;
• Transformation through Transpersonal Coaching

The first edition of this book was published in 1992 , whilst the latest and forth edition was published in 2009. The last publication saw the inclusion of a new section on leadership and chapters such as the future focus of coaching. Adding an extra 50 pages to the third edition copy.

You can click the link to go straight to this book on Amazon UK, or Amazon.com

Did you miss Day 7′s coaching resource? You will find it here.

Time Trade

Time trade is an appointment scheduler that I personally find really easy to use. When I first started as a coach, particularly when setting up an initial chat with someone who had expressed an interest in coaching, I found that it wasn’t unusual to play email and/or phone mail tag before we could find a time that worked for us both.

I found that it has eliminated a lot of email/voice mail tag that used to go on – so I’m actually having conversations with people at a convenient time for us to both and a lot quicker than previously!

If you, like me, often talk to individuals in other parts of the world you will be familiar with working with different timezones. This scheduling system automatically detects the timezone someone is physically in and coverts the available times to show automatically in the local time for the person looking at the schedule. This cuts out either person having to manually do any maths to work out what time it will be for them – I like things that make processes easier!

Once I started using this scheduling system as opposed to manually setting up calls the conversations I’m having are with people who are showing up a lot more committed without noticeably affecting the number of conversations I’m having. This may naturally have coincided with my progression as a coach but the automatic reminder emails that go out 24 hours before an appointment certainly helps.

This system allows you to set up potential session times to offer as available times to book. If you use either outlook or google calendars this system can integrate with that so that appointments showing as an option will only appear if there is space in your schedule – if you add something else into your outlook/google calendar then time trade will adjust what is shown as available. It will also automatically add any booked appointments straight into your google/outlook calender.

This system is available as both individual, team or corporation subscriptions. My guess would be that many coaches will be interested in the individual option which at the time of writing they are offering a 30 day free trial.

Visit Time Trade’s website here.

Missed Day 6? You can visit the last coaching resource here.

“The 8th Habit: From effectiveness to greatness” by Stephen R. Covey

Stephen R. Covey is perhaps best known for his international best seller originally published in 1989, “The 7 habits of highly effective people.” As you may have surmised from the title the 8th habit builds upon the foundation of the 7 habits.

It could be easy to say that this book focuses mainly on teams, leadership and business. However, the underlying message is about realising and unlocking the greatness within ourselves and others. A message that could also appeal to coaches who don’t specialise in business coaching.

The book is split into 2 sections:

• Find your voice
• Inspire others to find their voice

and also contains detailed appendices and notes section.

Personally, I think that the written style is not as conversational as some authors, yet it does include many anecdotes and examples. Given the focus of the book and the written style I suspect that the author had a managerial and business audience in mind whilst writing this book.

Some will find the style either too dry or long-winded to read from start to finish. Others will find that they discover some great insights.

It’s not the shortest book ever produced (the hardback edition on my bookshelf is around 400 pages.) It is also slightly more involved then the 7 habits book. It is possible to get editions of this book that contains a bonus dvd containing 16 inspirational companion films to illustrate points being made throughout the book.

You can find the book on Amazon UK, or Amazon.com

Missed Day 5′s coaching resource, visit here.

“Effortless Success” by Michael Neill

This is a set of 6 C.D’s with a running time of 394 minutes (6 hours 34 minutes). You will find that the C.D’s also contains a 40 page “workbook” (approximately A6 in size) This isn’t a C.D. series just for coaches but it is a set that many coaches will recognise uses a coaching approach about having a wonderful life.

If you have read any of Michael’s written work you will be familiar with his conversational style of writing. This spoken form reflects this and has a relaxed chatty manner, that for many will be easy to listen to. It invits you to engage and play with the content and ideas for yourself.

Within these C.D’s you will find not only what Michael means by effortless success but also obstacles that can get in someone’s way with questions and exercises to give a nudge in such situations. You’ll find that the workbook contains many of those questions and exercises in written format.

If you prefer to see content in written format then the book “You can have what you want” by the same author would be a better fit. This audio format allows you to not only have someone explain an idea but also guide you through an exercise with the spoken word rather than the written word. An aspect that will appeal to some and make experiencing the exercises easier.

Personally, one of my favourite parts of this CD set is the “guided internal experience” on the last track. A lovely guided imagery/ meditation that compliments the ideas and exercises found on the previous 39 tracks.

To hear examples of how Michael will be your personal coach on this CD series visit here.

Missed Day 4′s coaching resource? Find it here.

The One Page Business Plan: The fastest, easiest way to write a business plan by Jim Horan

Coaches often refer to goals/objectives and work towards achieving a vision with their clients. Granted, depending upon your background and the situation you are using that language you may use different labels with your clients.

So you may expect coaches establishing a business to comfortably create a business plan that focuses upon things such as the business vision, mission and objectives. Yet several “myths”and perceptions about how a business plan “should” look or be created can get in the way.

Today’s coaching resource is, “The One Page Business Plan: The fastest, easiest way to write a business plan” by Jim Horan. It addresses many of these myths, such as business plans must be long to be good.

This book is designed to help you get your business plan onto paper. Containing several types of exercises and questions to stimulate you, it is deliberately simple allowing you to start at any point and jump around in the easiest way for you.

The plan you’ll produce with this book will be short, concise and to the point. It will be something that you can pin on your wall and see daily – it’s not such a weighty document that it gets put on a shelf to gather dust and never looked at again!

This book also contains examples of what does and doesn’t work for each situation. If you go to buy this resource, you may notice that there are editions for different countries that allow specific examples from that country to be used.

In addition, “The One Page Business Plan” also comes with a “creative entrepreneur’s toolkit” CD. On the CD you’ll find:

   Interactive Exercises and Templates

   Sales Calculators

   Budget Worksheets

   Sample Plans

   Score Cards

   Bonus Tools

(All in either a word or excel format)

A business plan can have multiple uses and sometimes it’s about meeting other peoples specific requirements to get funding. It’s worth noting that if that is your primary reason for looking at this resource it will get you started getting clarity around your ideas and give you a strong foundation to build upon. However, you will need to take it further to adapt that to the specific requirements for the person/group you are seeking funding from.

Find the book on Amazon uk, or Amazon.com

Missed Day 3′s Coaching Resource, find it here

Playing Cards For Happy Managers & Happier Employees

Today’s coaching resource is designed to assist team leaders and managers in business.

The resource is a set of playing cards with a difference. At first glance you will see that the 52 cards have the traditional clubs, spades, hearts and diamonds. Each card also contains coaching style questions following a specific theme, depending upon the suite of that card, all important in people management.

Each set consists of 52 cards, a Joker and two explanatory cards. They are currently available in English, German and Dutch, and further languages are available on request.

The design of this resource means that you have lots of flexibility about how you can use them to create enthusiastic, high-performing and engaged teams. Just some of the ways that you could use these cards:

  Pick a random card to act as a catalyst in a meeting when energy and inspiration is low

   New managers can use the cards to identify areas to strengthen and take action accordingly.

  Generate discussion points in team meetings with each member randomly selecting a card – allow the team to learn from each other and their experiences.

  A fun game in a training environment allowing enlightening discussions in a gentle manner

If you are reading this blog and have got this far through this post I suspect I don’t need to tell you the benefits of such coaching style questions or the positive impact that enthusiastic, high performing and energised teams can have for a business. To find out more about these cards or even get your own pack(s) visit www.selfcoachingcards.eu

Missed Day 2? You can read that here

It is a homestudy kit that can be applied regardless if you are just starting out or have more experience.

So you can get a taste of Elizabeth’s style let her explain in her own words a bit more about this resource.

Get Clients in 30 Days

Are you marketing like crazy and still aren’t getting the clients you need? If you’re doing, doing, doing and still not seeing results, I can practically guarantee you’re missing at least one of the steps in the shortest and most direct path possible to enrolling new clients.

In this homestudy course, I’ll will walk you through the 4 essential steps, plus you’ll get:

  Proven systems to quickly enroll new clients and fill your programs (these allowed me to create a multi-six-figure business while my tribe was still well under 1000 people)

  Simple ways to become irresistible to your peeps and design your offerings so that they instantly “get” what you do (without having to push, cajole or explain)

  Step-by-step instructions (plus tested and proven done-for-you marketing) to get your ideal clients raising their hand to have a conversation about working with you

  Detailed information on how to have rich and juicy invitation conversations that give value and serve your potential clients’ highest good – while leading them to take the next step

Plus time and money saving templates, scripts, and copy to support you in taking inspired, aligned action (instead of energy-draining “throw it up on the wall and see what sticks”)

Ready to stop “churning” and start serving? Get your copy today here: http://www.getclientsin30days.com

Missed yesterday’s coaching resource? Day 1 can be found here