I have come to the conclusion, after years of confusing and often disappointing results, that training is much more complex than I ever realized.

In the May issue of ICS I discussed my discovery of a sizeable segment of small-business owners engaged in providing professional cleaning services that fit a category I refer to as "Information Addicts." During this same period, I also discovered another group that is very similar to the Information Addicts. This group can be categorized as "Wishers."

The Wisher could be described as a racehorse in a turtle's body. Wishers are so excited about where they want to be that they have very little interest in where they currently are, or even in how to get to where they wish they were. But where do they really want to be?

A surprising discovery
"Here" is where these business owners wish they were. In other words, the present is already the future, as far as they are concerned. Some might refer to this state of being as "living in a pipe dream." The frustration for a trainer is that they seem to be quite content to stay in this condition.

Here are some conclusions I have reached after thoughtful consideration. There seems to be four distinct segments of Wishers, with the last two groups making up the majority (and also showing the greatest potential for training or personal coaching).

Those who reach goals in surprising and difficult-to-understand ways.
Usually, the reliable, tried-and-true approach (commitment, plan, action and perseverance) works best. However, sometimes it does not. I used to assume that because my clients weren't taking the recommended logical steps, they wouldn't reach their goals. I was proven wrong enough times that I now adopt a wait-and-see attitude.

Those who function in a lifelong pipe dream or wish state.
I used to think that type of existence was wrong, or at least foolish. But I have learned that, in some cases, the very people who never accomplish anything (at least as we would usually define accomplishment) and do nothing but dream are ultimately happy with their lives. Perhaps this is their measure of success.

Those who "don't deserve this."
Some people, for whatever reason, are simply unable to emotionally cope with whatever success they do achieve. They can't be happy, maintain a healthy bank balance, sustain success or even reach goals that they know are attainable. They consistently do something to ruin it. I have found this to be potentially fixable by discussing the concept of "deservance" with them. It won't work unless they see it themselves and want to change with some support. Coaching works best in this situation.

Those who just need motivation.
Some Wishers simply need some motivation to move from the state of possibility or wishing to the state of actually making something happen. This should stimulate a person to look for training or to hire a coach

The gap between "wishing it could happen" and "making it happen" is larger than you would think, and one that calls for ongoing support, bridge building, accountability and more. A Wisher needs to look at success and accomplishment as a muscle. And just as some folks need a personal trainer at the gym to get the job done, some Wishers need a trainer or coach to do the same thing in their business activities.

Examine the four categories above and see if you identify with any of them. If you do, perhaps one of my findings will be useful to you.