How can a busy coach prepare for the next client session in just a couple of minutes?
Great sessions start with quick prep. Here is how to walk in ready in a couple of minutes, even with a full roster.
Read your note from the previous session first, since it reconnects you to the client's story and what you covered. Then glance at their open commitments and goal progress to know exactly where to begin. When the last note, commitments, and goals sit on one screen, prep becomes a quick glance instead of a hunt.
Prep is what clients feel
A client can tell within a minute whether you remember their last session. Prep is the difference between generic and personal. Related: How can a coach keep an accurate count of sessions remaining in every client's package?
But with a full roster, deep preparation before every session is not realistic, so you need a fast, reliable method.
Keep reading: What is the best way for a coach to show a client real progress over many months of work?, What makes a coaching session note actually useful when you sit down to prepare next time?, How can a coach keep an accurate count of sessions remaining in every client's package?. See how CoachLedgr helps you coaching session notes and client progress ledger.
Read the last note first
The single most useful thing you can review is your note from the previous session, what you covered and what they committed to. Related: What makes a coaching session note actually useful when you sit down to prepare next time?
That note reconnects you to the thread of their story, so you pick up rather than start over.
Check open commitments and goals
Glance at what the client said they would do and where their goals stand. That tells you exactly where to begin. Related: How should a coach set goals with a new client so the goals actually stick and get tracked?
Opening with a commitment they made shows you were paying attention, which builds trust fast.
Keep prep to a glance
When your last note, commitments, and goals sit on one screen, prep becomes a quick glance instead of a search.
A minute of focused review beats ten minutes of hunting through scattered notes, and the client feels the difference. Related: How should a coach keep client session notes private and secure without making them hard to use?
- Clients notice whether you remember them
- Start with the previous session note
- Check open commitments and goal progress
- Keep everything in one place for a quick glance
Julien Jimenez
Julien Jimenez is an independent software builder based in Paris. He designs, ships, and operates focused SaaS products for small businesses and independent professionals. Read the full author page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the single most useful thing to review before a session?
Your note from the previous session, covering what you discussed and what the client committed to. It reconnects you to the thread of their story so you pick up rather than start over.
Why open a session with a commitment the client made?
It shows the client you were paying attention, which builds trust quickly. Referencing what they said they would do also tells you exactly where to begin the conversation.
Every client, every session, one ledger
Coaching session notes and client progress ledger. CoachLedgr is built to help you put this into practice.
Start your ledger freeMore from the CoachLedgr blog
What is the best way for a coach to show a client real progress over many months of work?
What makes a coaching session note actually useful when you sit down to prepare next time?
How can a coach keep an accurate count of sessions remaining in every client's package?
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