I’ve been reflecting on Alabama’s win over Georgia in the college football national championship game, and I’m still marveling at how they did it. They were missing several injured stars and had fallen into a deep hole on the scoreboard. Further, Tua Tagovailoa, their freshman quarterback with no experience in any meaningful games during the season, was suddenly thrust onto the biggest stage. All Tagovailoa did was become the biggest star of that game, coolly throwing the winning touchdown in overtime and adding his name to college football lore.

But the fascination for me was to see head coach Nick Saban’s famed “Process,” his coaching philosophy, in action. Saban turns attention away from the end goal — like winning a national championship — by focusing on the little things. He preaches that doing those little things correctly, every day, will build confidence and lead to success.

Saban and his team invest in their players: teaching, supporting and encouraging them while keeping them focused on the moment. Because of Saban’s “Process,” the moment for Tagovailoa was never too big, even though he was a rookie. That’s why Saban was comfortable bringing him into the game.

In the new year, you may be looking for a great coach or mentor to help you either enhance your current career, further explore your entrepreneurial itch or direct you to something completely new. And, as someone who may be exploring entrepreneurship for the first time, it’s critical to find a coach who can help you focus on your possibilities and help you to explore your goals, needs and expectations in a safe space.

What qualities must this coach possess? After more than 30 years of helping people achieve their professional goals at The Entrepreneur’s Source, I have defined eight specific tips to help you choose the best coach:

1. Your coach will have a direct interest in you. They will want to take the time to find out what your career 2.0 is so you can achieve your income, lifestyle, wealth and equity goals. That’s basic relationship and trust building. After all, it’s only your future you’re talking about. Don’t you want someone invested in your “why”?

2. Your coach will uncover areas of strength, as well as opportunities for growth. If you truly want to stretch yourself, your career and your attitude, you must have someone who will work with you to explore every aspect of your professional life: work history, philosophy, skillsets and even professional relationships — and be candid about it. Having someone just tell you how wonderful you are is not coaching. Challenging your current thought processes and offering new ones is.