"But," you may be thinking, "this whole 'coaching' thing sounds flaky. Lots of people out there are calling themselves a 'coach.' What is 'coaching' anyway? These are important questions.

Here's some information about coaching:

- "Coaching" is a new career field so if you're just hearing about it you're in good company.

- Most people think of fitness or athletics when they hear the word coaching.

- Coaching as a separate professon was named by Thomas Leonard, a financial planner who began coaching his clients in the late 1980's and early 1990's.

- In 1992 he founded the first coaching training program, Coach University.

- Now there are many coaching training programs all over the world.

- "Coaching" as a broad term is about helping people identify and reach their goals. Coaches usually specialize in one or more areas. Personal coaching is one of these areas of specialization.