A life coach is someone you turn to whenever you want to do and be better. But how in the world do they help? What do they do, and is it all worth the price tag?
LIFE COACH truly cares about what is going on inside of you and wants to understand the way you truly are, to help you achieve the best life possible.
I wanted to bring some more clarity into what is this Life Coaching about, as not everyone isn't 100% sure what a life coach does or how it can benefit you, or eventually when you should go see one.
First, let's clarify what a life coach isn't. A life coach is not an adviser. They're not going to tell you authoritatively what you should do or what goals you should have, and they don't act as professional consultants.
What Life Coaching Is Not
– Life Coaching is not counselling whereby the client needs to dive into their past to facilitate healing
– Life Coaching is not mentoring or consulting. The coaching relationship is NOT for a coach to give advice or tell their client what to do about their life. It’s about empowering clients to create their own pathways throughout that process.
– A life coach does not evaluate or critique their clients or their life in any way. It is a non-judgemental exchange.
– Even though life coaches care deeply, they do not support their clients in the same way a friend does. They can remain fair to you and your concerns while still wanting the very best for you and what you want. This allows them to hold you kindly accountable at times you may need it most!
– A life coach won't tell you what’s right or wrong for you and your life. They aim to help you to uncover these answers for yourself.
The biggest responsibility of a life coach--the thing they spend their time on for you--is helping you identify the need for specific change and then bringing that change around. To do this, they give you balanced information and help you figure out objectively what your values are, what you want, and what your strengths and weaknesses are. They offer realistic encouragement, structure, and synergy along the way and help you discover what actionable steps you can take to move you in the direction you want. They also can hold you accountable and provide ways to assess your progress. Through all of this, you gain a better understanding not only of your history and tendencies but who you are and can be.
Most people understand that getting out of their box is a good thing, but climbing over the top still is hard--there's comfort in being familiar and predictable. So don't be surprised if there's some healthy tension between you and your coach. You're always in the driver's seat at the end of the day, but the life coach's entire job is to make you different. Be open-minded and prepare yourself for real mental and behavioural shifts.
Secondly, don't make the mistake of thinking that others will look down on you for having a life coach. When it boils down to it, people typically appreciate a leader who can admit that things could be better, that they don't have all the answers, and who are willing to take a little help. The more humble you are, the more others see you as real.
According to the Coaches Training Institute, there are four bases to the co-active life coaching model:
1) People are Naturally Creative, Resourceful, and Whole
- the client has all the answers within them; it is the job of the life coach to get the answers out
2) Coaching Focuses on The Whole Person
- everything is connected, therefore making a shift in one area will make it easier to make a shift in other areas
3) Coaching Evokes Transformation
- the client is in charge, the life coach will act as a guide to bring forth the client's desired life with more balance and fulfillment
4) Dance in The Moment
- the life coach will embrace where the client is now as they begin to move towards their desired life vision. The client will always take the lead in this process.
Here are a few areas in which a life coach can help a client:
Advancing or planning a (career, life, business)
Dealing with a divorce
Losing weight
Helping to start a healthy lifestyle
Making financial goals (financial security)
Help with setting up goals and objectives
Help with forging through barriers or fears
Balancing life (personal vs business)
Starting or growing a business
Getting out of a funk, or rut
Finding time to enjoy life more
Getting pointers on how to get promoted at work
Finding an ideal partner
Learning to become a better partner
How to become successful
Help with making a life transition
How to become a better communicator
How to find more fulfillment in life
'Becoming more organized (home, life)
Fulfilling personal, emotional, or monetary needs
Identifying your passion
Life Coaching is a new pathway to discovering yourself.
Life Coach usually works with people who are ready to move forward in life. Those who are willing and are committed to change their lives for the better.
There's a reason that Life Coaching is the second-fasted growing profession in the world - because it works for people.
With this being said, there is a bunch of folks out there, who like to call themselves a Life Coach but has no education in this field. Be careful when you're looking for one.
I am not here to judge but in my opinion, if you hire someone who is supposed to help your mental being, a good education would be essential. You most likely would like to check this out.
This organization called ICF (International Coach Organization) is world known and is recognized as the most prestigious one. If a Life Coach graduates from a college that has ICF accreditation, that is a good sign.
A Life Coach is helping vulnerable, creative, smart humans who may be feeling stuck in life and like they've lost track of their true self and passions.
