I keep toying with the idea of hiring a coach and never pulling the trigger.
I'd want three things:
1) Someone who challenges me and expects a lot.
2) Someone who can help guide my intensive self-study.
3) Someone who complements my approach to training. I want a *coach*, not just a book in human form.
1. Fun to talk to.
2. Looks at my games, listens to my thought process and figures out the exact boundaries of my abilities. On the flipside, a coach who generalizes students to make his job easier and puts them in buckets and resorts to "identical material for all" or broadcasting cookie-cutter instructional advice (that I can find in books) will have me looking for a new coach.
3. Comes up with instructional + fun ways to keep testing/pushing me out of said boundaries like a Sumo wrester and knows when to take me out of my comfort zone so that I'm learning new patterns/ideas and not rely on previously established habits (good or bad!).
4. Teaches in a socratic (ask questions / interactive Q&A) manner.
i am looking for a coach who is unable to contradict my moves but instead explain further why i should continue,for a possible win.
Anyone else?
What Do You Look For In A Coach?
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