Find a Coach--Lessons from a Rope's Course POLE

Several years ago I participated in an outdoor challenge during a Personal Growth Seminar that illustrates how coaching can mean the difference between Failure and Success.

You see, I climbed a Pole.

This towering Pole was way out in a forest and became the Goal one October morning. There was an entire group of us that were given the opportunity to experience Courage, Focus, and Intention. 

The Pole resembled a telephone pole, but was much taller.  It reached 40 ft to the sky making me dizzy when I looked at it.

The goal was to climb to the very top of this Pole, and then stand on its skinny 10” diameter end.  There was absolutely nothing to hang onto but thin air once you reached the top.

A long wooden Ladder was attached to the bottom of the Pole, which gave access to its lower section. After that were small metal grips, which looked like thick rounded staples. These gave a place for fingers to grip and feet to stand on, as you inched your way up to the top.

I looked around at the others who had signed up for this Personal Growth Seminar.  Some were eager for the adventure.  Many were like me and had turned white as a ghost.

I wanted to throw up.

I have never liked heights. Even elevators are reason for me to go into a panic attack. 

But I made the Decision to at least climb the Ladder. I was Doubtful that I could do much more.

I put on a safety helmet and allowed myself to be strapped into a safety harness.

Up the Ladder I went rung by rung.  I never looked down because I knew that it would make it worse.

The next higher section was easier than I thought. I reached for the metal grips with my hands and pushed with my feet.  Once my feet felt those small grips, I was able to reach higher for the next set of grips. I looked only at the sky as I moved upward.

Inch by inch I made my way up to the top of the Pole.

Oh yes, one more thing. The Pole was swaying with each of my movements.  That added to the Fear Factor.

Once I made it to the top, I encountered a major challenge. I couldn’t figure how to stand up.

Thank goodness, no one took a video of me trying to stand up on that swaying pole. From the ground, it probably looked pretty hilarious.  It seemed like my bottom end was up and the rest of me was down. For me, each second was frozen in time and seemed like hours. 

I could hear people yelling up at me from below, “Stand up, Margi! Stand up!” 

But I couldn’t make it happen.

My feet eventually slipped and I was carried safely back to the ground by the ropes that secured me.

Although I hadn’t fully accomplished the challenge, I was nevertheless extremely pleased that I had made it to the top.

Later that day a fellow team mate was experiencing The Pole.  He made his way up the ladder and then past each of the metal grips.  Just like me.

Then I heard one of the Seminar Leaders begin to coach him. 

“Okay, you have about 12” more to go. Start standing up NOW. Don’t wait till you get to the top.  Easy does it!  Get your balance. Extend your arms out to the side.  Hold it, hold it.  Okay, good.  Now slowly put one foot on the top. Now gradually bring your other foot up and place it next to your other one. Very slowly turn around.  YOU DID IT!!!

I remember wondering what that kind of coaching would have done for me. Would I have been able to stand?

So how does this relate to Network Marketing?  It relates perfectly!

When you are starting to build a network marketing business, there will be times when you feel like you are climbing the Pole.  Perhaps you feel stuck. Or just plain frustrated.

Find a Coach.  Someone who will personally mentor you as you learn the ropes of this industry.  Find a mentor who has experience and knows how to help you climb your way to success.  Someone who won't give up on you. Someone who will believe in you until you can believe in yourself.

Let's get started!

Margi Starr

A Compassionate Coach for Network Marketers

http://margistarr.com

937-360-9203