Why Hire a Life Coach?
Exploring why you would hire a coach…
In our world today, you can find help for almost anything you can think of. You want to lose weight- you can hit the gym with a trainer, or find an app diet plan or purchase a gop1 to help you drop some pounds. If you want to learn to do art, you could choose one of the following- take an art class at your local community center, watch an online video, purchase a color by number canvas with paint included. Maybe you have a goal of being a great parent? You might ask your parents for advice? You could read books on the subject. You could follow an expert with the style that fits your preferences. My point is- we are rarely without some source of help for any topic we need more information on. Especially with “chat” in our lives.
So why would you hire a Life Coach when there are so many other options out there? Great question. Let’s start with what is a Life Coach? Let’s back up even further. Defining what a coach vs. mentor vs. consultant vs. counselor is.
Here we go:
Mentor- an experienced and trusted advisor willing to give direction and input
Coach- a person trained to help people improve their lives in specific ways
Consultant- someone paid to tell you possible solutions to your problems or needs
Counselor- a person trained to give guidance on personal, social and psychological problems
We often mix these experts altogether and assume one can offer all the things that each provides. That is a mistake. They are experts for a reason. I definitely would not want a consultant to help me unpack my deep childhood trauma. Nor would I expect a mentor to not share their expertise with me so I can learn from them. So life coaches are in our world for a specific purpose as well. They are trained to help you discover what your goals are and navigate a way to make them happen. That can be in your work, your family or a combination of all the areas of your life.
Let me give you an example. A client wants to work on their career plan based on a desire to be joyful at work and have the time and space to enjoy their family. This goal includes pieces of the person’s work, family and personal passions. Spending time defining them, processing what that means for their plan, and then coming up with action steps to work towards that plan. The result is that all areas of the client’s life are moving in the same direction.
Consider someone who has had their life turned upside down. They have spent months taking care of a spouse who had serious health issues. It impacted their marriage. But it also impacted their job and social world. Now that the spouse is healthy again, the client is not the same. Their passions may change. Their perspective on life may be different after what they have been through. Spending some time considering shifts they may want to make is normal. Having a trusted guide to help them, even better. Getting to a place that feels like you can exhale and enjoy life again is real progress.
Some clients really want help understanding themselves better. A journey in self discovery resulting in more self awareness, clarity in their strengths//giftings and a plan to move towards living on purpose. This can be true in friendships, career and life goals. What an eye opening experience it can be to feel comfortable in your own skin and not feel the need to be anyone else. Taking that knowledge into a new direction by making a shift in your career is exhilarating.
There are times when we already know what we have to accomplish. We have been trying to get there for years, but life keeps getting in the way. We have tried other methods, but it never materializes. Maybe you have written most of a book but have never gotten to the point of finding an editor. Or you find yourself very successful in your own business but now aren’t doing what really brings you joy. It is draining you. You just need to decide how to put yourself in the right role in that business. Or to shift into something new. All of these unfinished goals just need someone to be in your corner. To offer a way to process your thoughts and put your goal into bite sized actionable steps. To move. To finish. To quit something.
There are places for multiple experts to help you all at the same time. Many people will have a counselor and a life coach. Or they spend time with one for a season, and take on another depending on the biggest need in their life at that time.
How might you know if hiring a life coach is right for you? Take some time to answer the questions below. If you are curious after considering your answer to these questions, reach out for a complimentary discovery appointment.
Are you open to exploring an area of your life you are looking for a breakthrough? What is that area?
Have you allowed yourself to consider what life would be like if you could conquer the goal that has always been lingering in your mind? Can you name it?
Do you find yourself ready for a shift in life but not sure where to start? How to even process what needs shifting or exploring?
