Life Coaching for Docs 

Why is CMDA Offering Coaching?

 

Today's Christian doctor faces obstacles and pressures it would have been difficult to imagine or even foresee ten years ago. The threat of malpractice, the maze of electronic record keeping, and the pressures of too little time and too many responsibilities can seem overwhelming. Balancing life in medicine with personal and family demands, and the challenges of working with colleagues and patients can be a daunting task! It's not uncommon for Christian doctors to use words like 'stuck,' or 'in a rut,' or 'needing change, but not knowing how to make that change happen' to describe where they are in their lives and practice. CMDA recognizes these challenges, and desires to provide tools and opportunities to encourage our members in their desire to honor Jesus Christ in their lives, their families, and their practice of medicine or dentistry.

 

Coaching represents one of the fastest growing areas of personal development in America today. A life or personal coach serves as a skilled consultant, but in many ways does a lot more. Because CMDA recognizes the challenges that can be presented in life as a Christian doctor, we are offering coaching services to our members which will specifically focus on the concerns and goals of the doctors we serve.

 

What is a life coach?

 

Coaches are skilled and trained to work with individuals who are ready to grow, develop, and move into new and exciting places of living and serving. Essentially, a coach helps people order their lives around the things they value most.

 

Why is coaching a good choice for doctors?

 

There are several reasons that a growing number of CMDA doctors are finding benefit in having a coach. First, coaching fits into the lifestyle of super busy doctors. It's done by telephone. It's done confidentially. And perhaps most importantly, the agenda for each coaching session is set by the doctor receiving the coaching. No one knows your life better than you. In the coaching relationship, the expert is not the coach, but rather, the person being coached. The coach is trained to ask insightful and creative questions, and come alongside an individual who is in the process of developing plans, goals, dreams. Coaching is not necessarily for those in crisis or in need of healing, but rather, is specifically targeted toward those who are facing particular challenges, or are desirous of a change, and wanting to move from what may be a good life to a “great life.” 

 

What sorts of issues in a doctor’s life lend themselves to coaching?

 

The frantic pace of today’s world can produce burnout, fatigue, strained relationships, and a sense of fragmentation in many doctor’s lives. Coaching serves as a methodology which can enable doctors to have a sounding board to sort out life, reduce stress, and develop a plan for healthy, happy living. Some common issues addressed in coaching might include developing a plan for the future during seasons of transition, understanding individual purpose, improving relationships, finding balance in work, family, and leisure, and integrating spiritual values into everyday life. But the truth is, almost anything can represent a focus for coaching.

 

How can I find out more?

 

Usually, those who are interested in finding out more about life coaching will email Ken Jones, our ‘point person’ for this new endeavor. Ken serves as the CMDA San Francisco/Redding Area Director, and was a pastor and life coach before joining our CMDA field staff. Ken will find a convenient time for a one-on-one phone conversation. There is, of course, no obligation connected to this informational session, and all inquiries are strictly confidential. Ken will help clarify what the client might like to see happen during a potential coaching relationship, and help determine whether coaching is a good choice. After that initial evaluation, if a coaching relationship is desired, Ken will meet by telephone with the doctor, weekly in forty-minute coaching sessions. Short, phone “touch-base” conversations may also be important throughout the month. Each week, specific goals or targets are established, giving the client a sense of movement toward the new chapter in their lives.

 

Cost?

 

CMDA believes that coaching can be a tremendous resource for the doctors we serve. The suggested donation to CMDA for coaching is $400/month, with an initial agreement for 13 weeks or 3 months.

 

How do I know if I am ready for life coaching?

 

If you’re considering whether or not to be a part of our new CMDA coaching program, answering the following questions may help you in determining if coaching is right for you:

 

Is the time right for me to acquire a coach?

 

If you are facing important changes in the way you live your life, then the time is probably right for you. People who are extremely busy or have trouble imagining taking on one more thing in their lives are also probably prime candidates. In fact, the first thing a doctor may want to explore with his/her coach is what to remove in order to make life feel simpler, more balanced, and manageable.

 

Is coaching worth my time and financial investment?

 

Acquiring a coach is an important investment in life. The impact of a coach on the personal and professional life of a Christian doctor can be profound. But the financial commitment to the process needs to be carefully considered.

 

Am I prepared to change?

 

During the coaching relationship, new perspectives and ways of seeing life will be explored. If you have a desire and willingness to stretch your creative side and are open to seeing things from a different perspective, coaching can help you develop a new course of action which you may never have considered before.

 

Is coaching what I am really looking for?

 

There are many kinds of professional relationships. Some people would benefit more from an accountant, an attorney, a financial planner, or even a personal assistant. A coach can help you determine the kind of help that would be most beneficial for you. For example, if you’re experiencing chronic emotional struggles or dwelling extensively on past hurts or failures, you may have tried therapy. If it proved unrewarding or unsuccessful, you might benefit from a coach to help you move on in your life.

Still have questions?

Feel free to contact Ken Jones for answers to any other questions you may have about coaching at kenjones@cmdawest.com.