10 Times to Invest in a Coach Rather Than Traditional Education

With everyone bickering over the outrageous price of higher education in the United States, I'd like to add an out-of-the-box thing to explore.

• $10,230/year for state schools for residents,

• and $26,290 out of state

• $35,830/year for private schools

• law school is $43,020/year (By the way, only 23% of law grads say their degree was worth the cost. (CNBC.com 2/21/18)

• $130,000 for tuition in a two-year MBA program.

The average student debt of a grad in the US is $38,390. Can you imagine why? Hmmm…

Don't get me wrong. I love teachers, and professors and I've spent 8 years in higher education. However, it's time to think outside the box, and the second-fastest-growing profession on the planet has something to offer.

I'd like to suggest that more people consider an alternative to getting a whole different kind of education when considering a need or desire for new learning, new growth, or new levels of personal or leadership development.

Coaching!

Hear me out on this. No. It's not a replacement for traditional education. AND it's not for everyone.

However, if you or someone you know is considering or wanting growth, you may want to consider investing in a coach instead.

1. When you don't know what you want or need to study.

About 80 percent of students in the United States end up changing their major at least once, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. On average, college students change their major at least three times throughout their college careers.

Wouldn't it at least make sense FIRST to know what you wanted to study and why before attending? The right coach can help you with that saving time, money, and "I hate this stuff!"

2. When you've finished studying, and it's time to get "out there " …. To what?

I know plenty of people who "go back to school" since they don't know what to do next. "Maybe I should go back to school?" According to the Harvard Business Review, two-thirds of college grads struggle to launch their careers." As a result, young adults no longer have as clear or straightforward and opt for more education.

3. When you don't need more information. You need more transformation.

Let's face it, we have plenty of information! (Google that!) But, as my wife Mindy said in a Q Commons talk a few years ago, "there's a difference between the transfer of information and transformation."

Great coaching offers transformation!

4. When you've learned more than you're putting into practice.

It's soooooooo possible to pack our brains with stuff… and not be applying it day to day. Coaching offers a way to bridge that gap and intentionally apply what you know. It's what coaching is all about.

Applied knowledge.

5. When you're more of an external processor or experiential learner.

How many more studies need to tell us that not everyone learns best by listening to lectures, taking notes, and taking tests? Many more learn far more and more effectively by interacting, asking questions, taking risks, and experiencing. Wouldn't it be better to train entrepreneurs, pastors, executives, marketers, or communicators by coaching them?

6. When you're stuck in a critical area, and things aren't changing.

Coaches are in the business of getting people unstuck! They get them unstuck financially. Unstuck in health. Unstuck in business. Unstuck in relationships…. Tell me if I'm wrong but most traditional education doesn't get people unstuck in quite the same way.

7. When sitting in another classroom or lecture hall doesn't sound attractive. ( even sounds downright dull.)

Sure. Listening to stuff can be fine… for a while. But, no one ever gets bored or falls asleep during their coaching sessions. At least hasn't happened in mine!

8. When you need personal attention and not "one-size-fits-all" information.

Mass communication often fails to address what's going on in our minds. Great coaching starts there.

9. When a coach works with the things you most want to learn.

Today's coaches have expertise in areas like public speaking, health, marketing, spiritual growth, leadership, entrepreneurship, relationships, personal development, writing books... you name it! Even in coaching. Might working with that expert be the fastest, most efficient, and most inexpensive way to learn and grow? Hmmm...

10. When you've experienced a lot of traditional learning and are ready for new growth.

Finally, if you've never experienced the most valuable aspect of learning: Learning about yourself, then you owe it to yourself and your complete education and personal growth to give it a shot.

Too expensive, you say? Well, look back at the costs you'll incur for traditional education. How does it compare? And with what outcomes? Results? Explore the studies that now show clear results from coaching for individuals and companies and non-profits.

Sure, I can see this may feel controversial for us to consider. But we can see GIANT holes in traditional education.

Might coaching have something to offer the education conversation?