All the greats have this is common.

Although they have different talents.

Although they excel in different areas.

Although their approaches are unique. (See: Every Successful Person I Know Does This)

Every person who has become great in their field has this in common—they have a coach.

It’s a fact which often amazes me. I watch Erik Spoelstra in the NBA Finals. Things aren’t going right for his team so he calls a timeout. He wants to make some changes so in the huddle he tells Lebron James what to do. Consider this: he is telling the greatest player of this generation, and maybe of all-time, what to do. And Lebron listens. He humbles himself to the opinion of a person who cannot do what Lebron can do. Yet he trusts his coach to bring useful information to the huddle.

The same is true with Phil Mickelson. The second greatest golfer of this generation has a coach who critiques his swing, makes suggestions, and evaluates every part of his life. And Mickelson listens.

Every great athlete has a coach. Without exception this is true. They have a coach because without a coach they cannot become great. They can be good, but they can’t be great. (See: Success Is More Than One Shining Moment)

None of us can be great on our own. We need help. We need guidance. We need someone who can tell us the truth.

A coach can do that. While they may not be able to do what we do, they can look at what we are doing and help us get better.

There are two strengths of a good coach.

1. They have perspective. They see from a different angle than we do. They can see the big picture while we often hold captive to only being able to see what is happening to us. They can also see what we are doing while we are often blinded to the full reality of our own actions.

2. They have objectivity. We are often too involved in a situation to think rationally about it. While a coach may be emotionally involved, they are not involved in the same way we are. They are more distant to the situation which provides objectivity.

If every great athlete has a coach, why don’t we? (See: 7 Leadership Lessons From Gus Malzahn)

Maybe you have a coach for golf or tennis or a personal trainer, but do you have a coach for your marriage, your spiritual life, and your career?

Is there someone who can look from the outside and tell you what they see?

Is there someone who can be objective about what is taking place?

Who can tell you how to get better?

Who can confront your wrong habits and behaviors?

Who encourages you to keeping doing what is right? (See: I Love People Who Have This…)

Everyone needs a coach for the important things in life. If you truly desire to be great at something, you need help.

Don’t wait to get marriage counseling when things are going bad. Meet with a counselor or a mentor couple as a way to get better. (See: Why We Don’t Have a Television in Our Bedroom)

Don’t assume you will figure out parenting on your own. Find someone you respect whose children are older than yours and meet with them regularly to discuss how to be a good parent.

Don’t just hope your career develops as you desire; take steps to make it happen. Find a career coach or a mentor and seek advice.

Don’t drift in your spiritual life. Find someone to disciple you and assist you to become who you want to be.

If you want to be great, you will do what the greats do. No one gets where they desire on their own. We all need help.