Life coaching has many benefits both short and long-term.
The fascinating aspect of life coaching is that it allows the client to reach their full potential by teasing out the wisdom within them. Many people do not know that they already have many of the answers they are seeking within them, and part of a life coach’s duty is to illuminate that inner wisdom of the client.
Life coaching can enrich the lives of both the client and the coach. In tandem, they help facilitate a path forward for the client to achieve goals, overcome challenges, and improve health and mindset.
Although I will only cover three in this article, there could be many reasons why you need a life coach.
Here are a few things you should know about life coaches.
WHAT IS LIFE COACHING?
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines life coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.” It’s important to remember that life coaching is NOT psychotherapy or consulting.
WHAT DO LIFE COACHES DO?
Life coaches help people to reach their personal and professional potential, depending on the client. Coaches can meet with clients in person, virtually, or on the phone, and most sessions run from forty-five minutes to an hour, depending on the coach and the setup.
Professional coaches ask a series of questions to dig deeper into a client’s problem or issue to help find resolutions and wisdom. Professional coaching is rooted in neuroscience and backed by years of research.
WHAT DO LIFE COACHES NOT DO?
Life coaches do not treat or diagnose mental illness or mood disorders, they do not consult or tell their clients what to do, and they do not give personal opinions on their client’s issues or problems.
THREE COMMON REASONS YOU NEED A LIFE COACH
1. YOU ARE NOT SURE HOW TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS
Goals are easy to dream up but can be difficult to attain. Whether they are personal or professional, goals, especially larger ones, take careful planning and meticulous thought to achieve. Often, we find ourselves with a clear goal in mind but no real roadmap of how to achieve it.
Coaching can help jumpstart this process by asking a series of questions to the client to help co-create a process or system of accomplishing those goals. In essence, the coach helps to tease out the wisdom already within the client to form a solid, step-by-step plan.
Example areas in which coaching can help accomplish goals are:
- Fitness, health, and wellness
- Career change
- Mindset
- Executive training
- Relationship and dating
- Spiritual
- Parenting
- Family
- Leadership
- Retirement
- Business
2. YOU HAVE AN UNCLEAR VISION AND LACK OF CLARITY
Another common reason you need a life coach is because of a lack of clarity. You may be feeling the need to make a change in your life, but are not clear on what exactly the change should be. Many times, especially in the middle-aged years, people experience a “midlife crisis” of sorts in which they feel a need to make a major change, yet do not have clarity on what type of change is needed and why.
Coaching can help the client gain clarity on these questions and become clear on the vision of their future. This may take some time to dig deep and discover what the client wants to change and accomplish, but the rewards can be a new, healthier, and happier chapter in the client’s life.
3. YOU ARE DEALING WITH THE STRESS OF UNCERTAINTY
We live in a society in which stress and uncertainty are rampant. Many people do not tend to their stressors and uncertainty in a healthy way; instead, falling back on unhealthy coping strategies such as alcohol, drugs, gambling, and junk food. All this does is create a perpetual cycle of shame and keep us stuck in unhealthy patterns. Coaching can help by helping the client gain perspective, see the bigger picture, and gain more certainty over what they can control instead of what they cannot.
IN REVIEW
There are many reasons why people may seek the help of a life coach. Many of them are centered around helping to achieve goals and create change that is healthy and sustainable. Life coaching is an excellent tool to use for the reasons mentioned above in this article. If you are thinking of making a big change in your life and don’t know where to start, or are having feelings of uncertainty, or lack a clear vision of your future, life coaching can be a game-changer.
Although we strive to provide accurate general information, the information presented here is not a substitute for any kind of professional advice, and you should not rely solely on this information. Always consult a professional in the medical and health area for your particular needs and circumstances prior to making any medical or health-related decisions. For your health-related questions, please seek the advice of a licensed physician or any other qualified health care provider immediately.
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