A quick overview of what life coaching is, how it can help and some of the most common questions I get asked.
A life coach is a trusted, supportive and empowering companion – there to help you get from where you are to where you want to be.
Life coaching is about helping you get from where you are to where you want to get to – all through empowering you to forge your own path and build the resilience to make it stick. It’s action-orientated and focuses on helping build the confidence, perspective and self-awareness to make changes in your life and build on what you have.
We could all do with a trusted, qualified companion sometimes to help us unpack our thinking, explore options and reflect on what we really want. A life coach can be a valuable companion through this process.
How can a life coach help?
A life coach is, fundamentally, about helping you be the best you. It’s about working through parts of your life you want to change and helping you find a solution that works for you.
It’s built on the belief that you already have the capability to find your own solutions – given the right support, encouragement, space and time to reflect. Life Coaching is about making the most of the strengths you already have, and using them to make the change you want to see.
Life coaching is about helping you get from where you are to where you want to get to – all through empowering you to forge your own path and build the resilience to make it stick. It’s action-orientated and focuses on helping build the confidence, perspective and self-awareness to make changes in your life and build on what you have.
We could all do with a trusted, qualified companion sometimes to help us unpack our thinking, explore options and reflect on what we really want. A life coach can be a valuable companion through this process.
How can life coaching help?
Life coaching is, fundamentally, about helping you be the best you. It’s about working through parts of your life you want to change and helping you find a solution that works for you.
It’s built on the belief that you already have the capability to find your own solutions – given the right support, encouragement, space and time to reflect. Life Coaching is about making the most of the strengths you already have, and using them to make the change you want to see.
How does life coaching work?
In its simplest form, coaching is just a series of conversations. But a good coach is one who can listen, empathise and play back your own thinking – helping you explore your perspective, challenge you when needed and help you turn your ideas into action.
You always set the agenda
You’re in charge and set the agenda for each session or group of sessions. You should always agree at the start what you want to focus on and what we want to achieve.
The role of the coach is to be an attentive companion
The coach isn’t there to give their opinions – they’re there to explore your thinking. A coach should never be the biggest personality in the room and the focus will always be on helping you find your own way.
It’s action focused
We’ll always focus on what actions or outcomes we want to see. Sometimes you won’t know exactly what that looks like – so you’ll work on it together.
It’s a partnership
We’ll always work in partnership with an equal commitment and accountability to get you where you want to go.
COMMON QUESTIONS ON LIFE COACHING
These are some of the most common questions I get asked about Life Coaching.
Are all Life Coaches qualified?
No. There is currently no official qualification for Life Coaching, which means you can technically call yourself a life coach without any training or perhaps after taking a weekend course. That’s why it’s always worth checking what qualifications and experience a coach has and checking to see if it’s from a reputable source. Coaching in general is still quite a new industry and it’s likely this will change in time, but for now, it’s always worth asking.
Do I need a Life Coach or a Therapist?
Life Coaches are generally not qualified to offer mental health advice in the same way that a licensed therapist or psychologist is. Although there may be some overlap in topics, if you are struggling with mental health it’s generally better to see a licensed therapist. Some coaches are qualified, and some therapists aren’t licensed, so it’s always worth asking the question.
What’s the difference between an Executive Coach and a Life Coach?
In general, it’s a difference of where they focus and, to some degree, whether they are accredited. An Executive Coach tends to focus on career and work related development, whereas a Life Coach will look at your life in broader terms. There are, of course, overlaps between both. All coaches should follow the same basic philosophy, even if they do things differently.
What results can I expect to see from Life Coaching?
This is a difficult one to answer but it depends on a) the coach you choose, and b) the level of commitment you’re willing to put in. In general, there is strong evidence to suggest that coaching can improve your chances of achieving your life goals and builds self-awareness, self-resilience and emotional growth. As with most things in life, the energy you put in will impact what you get out.
Is Life Coaching just snake oil?
Great question! Although the answer’s less clear. Coaching takes it’s philosophy from a range of psychological schools, all of which have significant research proving their efficacy. If your life coach draws on these, and uses them effectively, there is evidence life coaching can work well. If, however, the approach tends to draw on broad platitudes and affirmations then there is little evidence that this can be useful in the long run.
