Lately, I’ve been noticing more and more people toying with the idea of leaving their corporate jobs to become a coach. And with that, I often get the question:
“Which training would you recommend?”
In in the end, it has less to do with the profession of coaching than you might think. In fact, the answer applies to almost any area of life or work.
What got me thinking was an enthusiastic email from a former student at DHBW – someone whose life I had the chance to positively impact as a guest lecturer more than four years ago. She asked what the best training had been for me. At first, only one thing came to mind. But later, while listening to our community call with Anke, something became much clearer.
Anke shared the long list of trainings and certifications she’d completed over the last 20 years. And it struck me: it wasn’t one training that made the difference. It was the sum of many steps taken over a longer period that eventually created the transformation.
“Truly successful people don’t live a balanced life.”
That’s a sentence I heard a few days ago in a seminar recording from one of my mentors.
He explained: Tiger Woods probably spent more time on the golf course than in the pub. Steffi Graf likely focused more on the tennis court than at the local pool chatting about politics.
Looking back on the past 10 to 15 years of my life and how I’ve invested my time in personal development – I wholeheartedly agree. A balanced life wasn’t really possible. I invested almost every free moment into growth, learning, and mindset work. Was that great for my career? Definitely. Was it ideal for other areas of my life? Maybe not at first glance.
Because for years now, there’s been a photo of a Lamborghini Urus in my car – a design I’ve always found fascinating. Now and then, one of my kids will ask, “Dad, when are you finally going to buy it?” And I usually answer, “Well… that might take a few more days.”
You know what I recently realized? I could have bought it a long time ago – if I had spent my money on a car instead of on personal development.
Here’s the thing: A car can be taken away from me. It can lose its value. It might break down. And then what? A few years of joy, and then? The same cycle begins again. A fleeting sense of happiness from something external – until the next thing is needed to fill the gap.
Everything you invest in yourself? That stays. In fact, it grows.
Because once you truly understand how to be successful and happy from within, you can access that no matter what happens.
This knowledge lives inside you – and no one can take that away. Not the government. Not the tax office. Not a bank. Not a divorce. Not even bankruptcy.
So – is there such a thing as the one essential training?
Whether you want to become a coach or flourish in a completely different field, the real question is: How much time, energy, and focus are you willing to put into it? It’s not about one thing – it’s about doing something consistently.
The more time you spend on something, the more experience you’ll gain. The more fascinated you become, the easier it will feel. The formula is simple.
And I truly believe: it’s no longer about who reaches the goal the fastest.
Why rush? You have your whole life to reach your goal.
Enjoy the path you’re on. Celebrate every step of growth, every stage of your evolution.
And yes, I get it – you’d probably love it if everything were already perfect and done.
But what then?
Always remember (as I’ve been saying a lot lately): The journey is much longer – and far more valuable – than the moment you reach the destination. So make the journey as joyful as possible. Spend as much time as you can with the things you truly want to grow in.
The number of hours per day and the number of days per year you dedicate will ultimately define how effective and successful you become in the long run.
Whether as a coach or in any other area of life – attend every seminar, listen to podcasts, find mentors and coaches, read books, take online courses; do everything that moves you further along the path toward your passion.
With that, I wish you a fantastic week – and may you always keep that spark alive for the things that light you up.
