A prospective coaching client asked me this provocative question. It spoke to walking the talk, eating my own dog food, and living the results of what I believe in. I have paid for formal coaching. I’ve swapped coaching with colleagues I respect and admire. And I have been the beneficiary of people who brought coaching qualities to our relationship.

What intrigued me most was how different people have stepped into the role of coach at different times of my life:

• My mother has been one to provide new perspectives. Now in her late 70’s, she came to this country in her 20’s. She has the wisdom that one acquires from being an immigrant, living through war times, being laid off, filing for bankruptcy, being widowed, and finding her way in a new world. So when I complain to Mom about something, she easily gives me another perspective.

• One of my business mentors has been one to tell me the truth, even when it hurts. I’ve told this story many times so bear with me if you’ve heard it before. In the summer of 2004, I was enjoying the life of a free-wheeling solopreneur–creative, following my passion, loving my work. And not much else in terms of a business plan. Jeanenne painted for me the brutal reality that I had been denying. I might have savings in the bank but I wasn’t going to make it without a new approach to running a business.

• My sister has been one to see my brilliance and encourage more of it to come out. She was the one that told me many years ago, as a teenager, that I was a good writer. It took another 30 years for that to come out in me.

There are countless others who have informally coached me along the way. So as a professional coach, it may seem odd that I’m pointing out how you can get coaching without hiring a coach. The truth is, it has taken me 44 years to get to this place. Hiring a coach accelerates the process because you get the whole package, concentrated and focused in one relationship.

Yes, I’m the product of life coaching. And I have seen my life change dramatically because coaching has become a way of life for me. BTW–the prospective client is now a new client.