How can Life Coaching help me?
When we’re younger, we have so many people to guide us through what we do. At home, our parents take it upon themselves to teach us how to live, while at school, our teachers empower us with knowledge about the outside world. That’s how we all receive our initial lessons on how to navigate life through a “life coach” in charge of different parts of our lives. However, as we grow up, we can often get lost along the way. Between crazy routines and lofty goals, its no wonder we end up struggling.
Wouldn’t it be great if there was just one more teacher who could show us the path ahead, this time as well? Well then you’re in luck cause that’s exactly what life coaches do!
What is life coaching?
Life coaching is exactly what it sounds like. We have instructors for yoga, trainers at the gym, teachers for meditation – in the same way, a life coach helps you achieve your full potential in life.
Think of them as your own personal cheat sheet to living well, or like a more proactive self-help book. From addressing professional roadblocks and personal problems to giving relationship advice and setting realistic goals, life coaches do it all.
So, what exactly does a life coach do?
Life coaches don’t establish your goals for you. Instead based on the fact that you already know what’s best for you, a coach will;
- Listen and engage in a genuine conversation with you
- Ask the right questions to help you come to the conclusion of what’s best for you
- Set up a clear plan to reach that end goal
- Persistently follow-up to ensure you’re following through and adjust the plan as needed
Sessions can be online, over a phone call, or even just face-to-face, all depending on your preference. Coaches usually specialize in different categories, so you can pick the ones that suit you the best. Confidence building, work-life balance, relationships, finance, finding your purpose, nutrition, exercise – you name it and there’s a specialist for it.
Should I choose online life coaching or meet a life coach in person?
Online life coaching is convenient for most people because you can set it up around your schedule. It is discreet, easily accessible, and often more affordable. However some people find it easy to open up to a life coach in person.
At the end of the day, the only difference between online coaching or in-person coaching is the physical distance. A good coach will be effective either way.
What are the types of life coaching available?
While life coaches can cover a wide variety of specialties, there exists two broad categories that all specialties will fall under.
Health and wellness coaching
If you’re considering rebooting your fitness levels, you may benefit from health and wellness coaching. This includes getting a wide perspective of your health and diet, as well as any lifestyle habits that may be affecting your health.
Personal coaching
If you feel like your life is off-track or requires realignment, talking to a personal coach may help. Many people choose to consult a personal coach for professional purposes, to help them decide about career changes or big moves. Some also go to a personal coach to learn how to process emotions in a healthy, constructive manner.
How is life coaching different from therapy?
Many people confuse life coaching with consulting or therapy, but they’re actually worlds apart. While a therapist will deep dive into your past to figure out behavioural patterns, a life coach won’t. Though therapy and life coaching can complement each other, coaching mostly deals with strategizing and implementing things to ensure a brighter and happier future.
Benefits of life coaching
- Many of us often wonder what our purpose in life is. Life coaching helps us identify and get closer to it.
- We all have certain weaknesses, which we often fail to overcome. A life coach can help us turn our weaknesses into strengths.
- Knowing what you want in life and how you want it is empowering. In this sense, a life coach also helps you build a strong personality.
- Fitness is a personal journey. But oftentimes, we need that extra nudge to get the ball rolling. Life coaching can help in this regard as well.
- We can often get stuck in the career rut and fail to see our own potential. Coaches are trained to help people get out of the monotony.
- Everyone struggles to have their life together these days. Having a life coach helps you transition from work to personal life seamlessly.
- Life coaches can also help you attain financial independence.
- The best thing about life is that you can add to your skills and hobbies anytime. Not only does it make you feel more valuable, but it is also good to have a hobby you like. Life coaches help you develop new skills for yourself which eventually ends up helping you in the long run.
- We are obsessed with our flaws but not many of us notice our strengths. Life coaching can help you recognize your strengths and live a more meaningful life.
- Maintaining relationships is no child’s play. And it’s okay to seek help. Life coaching is also known to help strengthen your old relationships and make new ones.
Things to keep in mind before signing up with a life coach
Before you sign up for a life coaching session, here are a few things to keep in mind.
- People consult life coaches for all kinds of different reasons. What is it that you want out of it? A self-assessment before booking a session will help you get the most out of it.
- Can I find a life coach near me so that it is easy to arrange sessions? If you plan on face-to-face consultations, look for someone nearby.
- A session can either be over the phone, on video, or face-to-face. It can last anywhere between 30-60 minutes.
- Though there’s no limit to the number of sessions you should take, three months is a good enough time to let your life coach help you transition into the new you.
- It’s important to find a coach that you trust. Honesty is important. Needless to say, all sessions are confidential.
- The outcome of your sessions is only going to be as good as the effort you put into it. So, don’t forget to do your homework!
