Introduction

The year was 2007.  I was working full-time as a project manager/business analyst (which meant I was the BA on my projects), pursuing my MBA, had just received the CSM credential, and was considering becoming a project management trainer.  One day, while going through the CompTIA website, looking at certifications, I came across the Certified Technical Trainer (CTT+) certification.  It caught my attention, and I ended up registering for the class.

While reviewing the course materials, I found out that I would need to prepare and present an introduction to a course, of my choosing, in order to complete the class and get certified.  The idea didn't take long, as I already had one germinating in the back of my mind.  As part of my MBA program, I had recently completed a course that included a section on coaching others that I really enjoyed.  The idea I started to develop and presented on, in order to achieve the CTT+ designation - The Self-Coaching Workshop.

We could all benefit from a coach, every now and then, to help us focus our efforts and figure out a direction, but we can't always afford a coach.  It doesn't help that it's not hard to find someone who took a weekend or night class at the local college and calls themself a life coach, but doesn't seem to do more than ask you how you feel and charge you an hourly rate.  A coach is not a therapist, and should be focused on helping you stay focused on accomplishing something specific.  Sometimes, you are the best person to coach you.  Other times, it's your only option.

In the coming pages, we'll be exploring how to be your own coach; what you can do yourself, and where you'll need help from others.  This is not meant to be a prescriptive approach, where "you have to follow every step or you'll fail."  This is a relatively short exercise that I'm hoping to guide you through and give you tools to help you succeed on your longer journey.

As I mentioned on my home page, this is a starting point.  I've spent the past 17 years applying the principles I presented in my CTT+ certification class.  Now, it's time to take what I've learned and share it with you.  I'll add links to the navigation as I add new content.