WELL COACHED
5 business questions for Mattison Grey

by Tim Brookover

Empower, the June 12–13 expo presented by the Greater Houston GLBT Chamber of Commerce, will feature presentations by a range of experts in the community. We checked in with one of these mavens, Mattison Grey, the business and career coach.

Tim Brookover: What can Empower visitors expect from your presentations this year?

Mattison Grey: People can expect them to be fun, educational, and inspiring. My goal is to give people something that they can take home and use immediately in order to get more of what they want.

T.B.: What is the one point you hope people will take away after they see you?

M.G.: How to stay focused on their big goals, while managing all the other stuff.

T.B.: What is one thing people can do to reach their personal goals?

M.G.: The most important thing people can do is write down their goals in a clear, measurable way and create a “by when” date. In other words, have a way to know when you have reached your goal and make a deadline. A great example of this that we have all experienced: When you were in school, there was always a date for each test. The test was going to happen whether you were ready or not, so consequently most of the time you were pretty prepared. What would have happened in school if the teacher decided you could take the test whenever you wanted to? Deadlines are absolutely the key to getting things done.

T.B.: What is a common mistake people make in striving to attain their goals?

M.G.: The most common mistake people make is not creating a system of accountability. Most people can’t truly hold themselves accountable. You have to find some way or someone outside of yourself to hold yourself accountable to do what you said you are going to do. Ask a friend, teacher, or coach to help you stay accountable to your goals. If you know someone is going to be checking on you, you are more likely to do something. I often say as a coach that my job is to make clients do what they want to do.

T.B.: Where can people who don’t make it to Empower catch you?

M.G.: On June 25, I am presenting “Reality Selling,” a day-long fee-based seminar at the Houston GLBT Community Center that will show how to find out what your customers really want and help them to get it. Anyone whose income depends on the quality of their interaction with people can benefit. Then, in cooperation with the community center, I will be starting a free coaching evening in July. This will take place one evening a month, and everyone is invited [dates and times were not set at press time]. Also watch for the Greater Houston GLBT Chamber of Commerce series of entrepreneurship seminars beginning in August and the Leading and Learning educational program beginning in September.

For details on presentations by Grey and other smart people at Empower, taking place at the George R. Brown Convention Center, check the chamber website, www.ghglcc.org.

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