"What exactly does a Life Coach do?"
Since training as a Life Coach and now as one practicing, people curiously ask me “what is it that you do exactly, as a Life Coach?” After answering this question in different ways to different people, here’s bringing it all together. It has helped me articulate my own thoughts around the, little-understood yet significant, role of an accredited Life Coach.
What does a Life Coach do?
A Life Coach helps You move forward and set personal and professional goals that will give You the life You really want.
A Life coach provides added insight, an objective perspective and enthusiastic support to business leaders, entrepreneurs, managers and just plain folks helping them define and achieve their goals – professional, personal or most often, both.
Life Coaches have the ability to view things from afar, often acting as a sounding board through tough decisions, help sharpen skills and motivate.
Note: Most life coaching clients are healthy, successful people who might be a bit stuck or simply want to make a big change in their lives and want the support of their own personal coach to do so. If there is a gap between where You are right now and where You want to be, there is room for life coaching. Not only will Your Life Coach help You bridge the gap, he/she will help You breakthrough Your limited beliefs and challenge You to think bigger.
When is a Life Coach required?
...when You are feeling stuck in the pursuit of a personal or professional goal and are unable to move forward,
...when You are unable to prioritize and are wasting precious time and energy without achieving much,
...when You are dissatisfied with the results You are getting at work or in Your personal life,
...when You are ambiguous or muddled in Your thinking about what Your goals are and where Your life is heading,
...when You know it’s time to make a change but are unable to make an important transition in Your career or life,
...when You want more; You want to grow; You believe there is more to life than what You are living right now.
How does a Life Coach help?
Clarifying, setting and achieving goals and objectives
Identifying core values and strengths
Dissolving blocks and fears
Planning – career, business and life
Balancing work and life
Making key decisions and designing strategies for success
Building powerful relationships
Getting promoted
Finding the ideal career/business/work
Making an important transition
Starting or growing a business
Getting organized and improving your productivity
What are the benefits of hiring a Life Coach?
You start taking more effective and focused action immediately
You create momentum so it’s easier to get results
You set better goals that are based on what you really want
You stop putting up with petty annoyances
You have more time and energy
Why do I need to work with a Life Coach as against consulting my family, friends or superiors at work?
Family, friends or superiors may not be objective professionals who are skilled to advise You on the most important aspects of Your life or business. A Life Coach is an expert who collaborates with You to tap into all aspects of Your potential and facilitate Your progress.
Interactions in close and intimate relationships are often clouded by emotion, judgement and bias. A Life Coach is skilled at using non-judgement, openness, and objectivity to create comfortable room for You to be Yourself and do Your best.
Family, friends and superiors at work have their own challenges, goals and time constraints. They seldom devote undivided time and attention to Your goals. The only focus of a Life Coach is Your goals.
Family, friends and superiors at work may not always be comfortable telling You the truth. The basis of the relationship between a Life Coach and client is truth, trust and openness.
How long do I need to engage with a Life Coach before I see any results?
A minimum of a month. Unlike the process of consulting where solutions are proposed and its up to us whether or not to implement those; life coaching is a process of learning and adaptation. It takes time to integrate new learning and attain goals - A Life Coach supports You through the entire process. Some people see the positive change that this process brings and commit to working longer with their coaches. Personally, I have been working with my Coach for over 4 years now.
Vishi Mishra is an Internationally Certified Life Coach certified by CCA and accredited by ICF. She conducts workshops and one-on-one coaching sessions for individuals and corporates on the theme of Personal Development.
