Career Archives - Daniel Wong

How to Choose the Right Coach for Your Teen

Updated on October 24, 2023 By Daniel Wong Leave a Comment

Every teen needs guidance to navigate the challenges of adolescence.

But as a parent, you’ve probably noticed that your teen often rejects your guidance.

The more you tell your teen what choices he or she ought to make, the less likely your teen is to listen.

So what should you do?

Connect your teen with an experienced coach. A skilled coach and mentor can transform unmotivated teens into motivated and responsible young adults.

These positive changes can ease the tension in your relationship with your teen. For many parents, this is the biggest benefit of finding the right coach.

How should you choose the right coach for your teen?

Every teen has unique challenges to overcome and opportunities to make the most of. So it’s important to look for a coach who has the right combination of skills and experience to meet your teen’s needs.

Here’s what to do first…

Identify the goals to be achieved through coaching

When a coach works with teens, the focus isn’t usually just on academics. If school performance is a concern you have about your teen, a holistic approach is most effective.

A coach can work with your teen to develop the intrinsic motivation needed to do well in school. A coach will also help your teen to develop the mindset and practical skills necessary to thrive.

This process involves many aspects of development for your teen. So it helps to start your search for a coach by listing the main concerns you have about your teenager.

Think about the outcomes you want to achieve through the coaching sessions. Ask yourself questions like:

Why am I looking for a coach for my teen?
What do I want my teen to learn through the coaching sessions?
Which areas does my teen need the most guidance in?

Below are some common areas for improvement that I help my teenage coaching clients to make progress in:

Common area for improvement #1: Motivation

A lack of intrinsic motivation is a common but serious problem that many teenagers struggle with.

A coach can help teens to find the inner drive to learn and improve. As a result, these teenagers will be able to reach their full potential in school and life.

Common area for improvement #2: Responsibility

Do you think your teen sometimes behaves irresponsibly?

If so, you’re not alone.

Teenagers need to learn to make wise decisions, but the desire to do so has to come from within. A coach can help teens shift towards more responsible and mature behavior.

Common area for improvement #3: Sense of purpose

Many teenagers coast through life without a strong sense of purpose.

A lack of direction can lead to frustration for both teens and their parents. It’s difficult for many teens to understand how to make meaningful choices and lead a meaningful life.

At a time when they’re making important decisions about the future, a sense of purpose can guide your teen in the right direction.

A coach can help your teen to cultivate passion and live a life that’s founded on the right values.

Common area for improvement #4: Attitude and mindset

We all know how important it is to develop mental strength. But many teens lack the fortitude to overcome challenges and setbacks.

Coaching can enable teens to become more process-oriented and resilient. Instead of focusing too much on grades or achievement, they’ll learn to find joy in the process of attaining mastery.

As such, they’ll develop a more positive attitude toward school and other areas of life.

Common area for improvement #5: Respect

Respect for authority figures – especially parents – can be dramatically improved through coaching.

You’re probably already aware that teenagers’ disrespectful behavior can damage relationships and cause frustration for everyone involved.

The right coach can help your teen to understand the importance of respect, such that your teen will change his or her behavior for the better.

Common area for improvement #6: Time management

Coaching will equip your teenager with the skills needed to manage his or her time effectively.

Your teen will learn how to reduce procrastination and overcome distractions. Your teen will also learn how to stay organized and prioritize well.

These time management skills will benefit your teenager both in the short term and the long term!

Common area for improvement #7: Study skills

As a parent, you know it can sometimes be hard to get a teen to study.

Some teens lack the motivation to study, while others need more practical support. Coaching addresses both of these issues.

If your teenager doesn’t know how to study effectively, ensure that the coach you engage is able to teach study skills.

Here’s what to look for in a coach…

The right coach is uniquely qualified to guide teens to become motivated, confident, and responsible. The right coach empowers teens to thrive and to maximize their potential.

So what factors should you consider when looking for a coach for your teen?

1. Experience and background

Look for a coach who specializes in working with teens. Choose a coach who has experience working with teens who face similar problems as your teen.

2. Expertise

Take a look at the articles and books the coach has written, the videos the coach has published, the interviews the coach has done, the talks the coach has given, etc. These should demonstrate the coach’s knowledge and expertise.

3. Professional development

You’re looking to engage someone who will inspire your teen to grow and develop. So the coach you choose should be an example of someone who embraces lifelong learning. Coaches who continually strive to improve themselves are in the best position to mentor your teenager.

4. Proven results

Read the testimonials and success stories of the coach’s previous clients to see if the coach has a proven track record.

Questions to ask a potential coach

If you’ve found a coach for your teen who seems suitable, here are some questions to ask:

Question #1: What coaching methodology do you use?

Find out how the coach plans to guide your teen toward making positive changes.

What approaches or techniques does the coach use? What is his or her coaching philosophy? What makes his or her approach effective?

Question #2: Do you offer a trial session?

A trial session is a great way to see how well your teen and the coach get along. The better the connection, the more likely it is that your teen will benefit from the coaching sessions.

Question #3: What’s your availability like?

Given your teen’s schedule and commitments, does the coach have available slots to work with your teen? Can the coach start the sessions right away, or is there a waiting list?

Question #4: What’s the structure of the coaching sessions?

Here are some related questions:

What’s the recommended frequency of the coaching sessions?
How long is each session?
Will you provide periodic updates to the parents?
Do I pay for the sessions one at a time, or do you offer some kind of package?
What’s your refund policy?

Conclusion

No matter what challenges your teen is currently facing, I hope you’re now convinced that he or she would benefit from coaching.

And after reading this article, I hope you also know how to choose the right coach for your teen.

Over the past decade, I’ve spent thousands and thousands of hours coaching teens 1-to-1. It brings me incredible joy to see my teenage coaching clients become motivated, confident, resilient, purpose-driven, and responsible!

To find out more about the 1-to-1 coaching program I offer for teens, visit this page. Or you can also click the link in the box below…

VISIT THIS PAGE NEXT:

1-to-1 Coaching Program for Teens (With Daniel Wong)

You Weren’t Born to Just Get Good Grades, Get a Good Job and Die

Updated on May 7, 2020 By Daniel Wong 10 Comments

As a society, what are our goals and aspirations?

Based on my observations, it’s to get good grades, get a good job, and then die.

That might sound strange or morbid, so allow me to explain.

I work with children and teenagers to help them make the most of their potential. As such, I interact with many parents on a daily basis.

These are some of the most common things I hear from parents:

“I want my child to get good grades so that he can get into a good school.”
“I don’t expect my child to get straight As, but her grades should be good enough.”
“I want my child to do well enough so that he can get a good job in the future.”
“I hope my child will be able to get into a good profession like medicine or law.”

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to get good grades or a good job. (By the way, the title of this article was inspired by a poster I saw that read, “You weren’t born to just pay bills and die.”)

But it seems like in our society, getting good grades and getting a good job aren’t just goals or concerns. They’re obsessions.

They’re what we spend most of our waking hours striving toward tirelessly.

They’re what we seem to think the point of education is – and possibly the point of life, too.

Of course, most of us would declare that we absolutely do not believe that the purpose of life is to get good grades, get a good job, and then die.

But given how much we emphasize to our children the importance of succeeding academically and getting a well-paying job, it would be hard to claim otherwise.

After all, it’s the story that’s been told for generations . . .

Study hard, so that you’ll do well academically.

So that you can get into a good school.

So that you can get a good diploma or degree.

So that you can get a good job.

I question the truth of this story, because we live in an information age where new opportunities abound. So the path to having a rewarding career is no longer that simple or direct – but that’s not the focus of this article.

I want to question the belief underlying the “get good grades and a good job” story, not the accuracy of the story itself.

The fundamental belief is that getting a good job – traditionally defined as a job that’s stable and lucrative – is the key to success and happiness.

What could be more inspiring than the hope of attaining success and happiness, right?

But few people wake up every morning feeling thrilled at the prospect of spending the day in the pursuit of good grades or a good job.

It’s more common for people to ask themselves, “Isn’t there more to life than just trying to get good grades or a good job?”

One reason the “get good grades and a good job” story isn’t inspiring is that it’s all about you.

Why do I say that?

I mean, shouldn’t you be inspired by a story that’s all about yourself? [Read more…]

How To Care Enough To Change The World

Updated on June 3, 2021 By Daniel Wong

A few years ago, I had the privilege of attending a talk by this incredible woman, Marian Wright Edelman.

Children’s rights activist, Marian Wright Edelman

Edelman is the founder and president of the Children’s Defense Fund, and she’s been awarded more than 65 (yes, 65!) honorary degrees. She was also the first black woman to be admitted to the Mississippi bar.

To say that she’s an impressive woman is an understatement!

The way that Edelman concluded her speech was exceptionally memorable.

“I cannot preach like Martin Luther King, Jr. or turn a poetic phrase like Maya Angelou…”

She proceeded to list a large number of distinguished people, and the characteristics they possessed that she did not.

What you can achieve when you care enough

Edelman went on to say:

“But I care and am willing to serve and raise my voice with others for children… I care and am willing to serve and sacrifice to build our children a better future.

“I care. I really, really care. You can change the world if you care enough.”

You can change the world if you care enough.

If that statement is true (I like to think that it is), it’s no surprise that a lot of advice you hear from career development gurus revolves around pursuing a line of work you care deeply about.

It’s entirely true that in today’s Information Age, it’s no longer enough just to be compliant, competent or even charismatic. You need to care.

[Read more…]

What Campfire-Building Can Teach Us About Achieving Greatness

Updated on June 2, 2021 By Daniel Wong

You’re pretty ambitious. You have goals and dreams, and you’re hardworking. You want to be successful, and you have the drive to make it happen.

You won’t ever be satisfied with average, or even good. You want to be great.

But as you pursue greatness—whether it’s in your academics, your career, your business, your relationships or your life—you sometimes wonder if it’s worth it.

The sacrifices, the disappointments, the frustrations… what’s it all for?

In an attempt to do more and be more, maybe you feel like you’ve lost sight of what’s truly valuable.

I’ve by no means achieved greatness—far, far, far from it. But in thinking about what it means to live a great life, I’ve realized that it’s a lot like building a campfire on a cold night.

[Read more…]