What is coaching?
Coaching is a relatively new profession that was popularised only in the 1980s. At that time, it was a profession of highly motived, empathetic people, that just ‘tried to do good’. Depending on who’s side you’re on, they did good, or they did not. This led to varying results and a variety of different philosophies and techniques in life coaching, ultimately resulting in overhauling and self-regulated the industry since the late 1980s.
Nowadays, the coaching industry is overseen by a handful of large organisations. The ICF (International Coaching Federation) and the IAPC&M (The International Authority for Professional Coaching and Mentoring) can be considered as the most authoritative in their field.
Key Takeaways
- The work of a life coach was overhauled and self-regulated. Nowadays, the coaching industry is overseen by a handful of large organizations. These are, the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and the International Authority for Professional Coaching and Mentoring (IAPC&M).
- A life coach is a professional who helps you set and achieve goals, overcome obstacles, and make positive changes in your life. Clarity, Action Steps, Self-Improvement are keywords.
- Different types of life coaches include health and wellness coaches, career coaches, executive coaches, and relationship coaches.
- Prepare yourself by writing down goals, list questions and most importantly, allows yourself to be vulnurable.
- If you’re considering hiring a life coach, make sure you find someone who aligns with your values and whom you feel comfortable with, and be prepared to do some work outside of sessions with your coach.
- A good life coach will challenge you and push you outside of your comfort zone.
To learn more about life coaching and its benefits, read the full article.
What is Life Coaching?
A professional who helps you set and achieve goals, overcome obstacles, and make positive changes in your life. A life coach can help you with any area of your life, from personal development to career advancement.
The reason for most people to embrace a life coach, is to make major change(s) in their lives. These changes include starting a new business, getting out of a toxic relationship, or changing careers.
A life coach is not a therapist and not a counselor; they focus on helping you achieve specific goals. Life coaching is all about taking action and moving forward in your life.
If you’re considering hiring a life coach, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Make sure you find someone who aligns with your values and whom you feel comfortable with.
- Be prepared to do some work outside of sessions; expect ”homework” to do between sessions.
- A good life coach will challenge you and push you outside of your comfort zone.
- Life coaching is an investment in yourself; it’s important to choose a coach who fits within your budget.
Benefits of Life Coaching
A life coach can help you clarify what you want in life, set goals, and make a plan to achieve those goals. In addition, they provide accountability and support as you work to make changes in your life. Common achievements are:
- Gaining clarity on what you want in life
- Overcoming obstacles that have been holding you back
- Setting goals and taking action steps to achieve them
- Improving your communication and relationships
- Developing new skills and strategies for success
- Increasing your confidence and self-esteem
- Living a more balanced and fulfilling life
More benefits can be found here
What to Expect from a Life Coach?
It can be difficult to know what to expect from a life coach. After all, each coach is different and will approach sessions in their own unique way. Nonetheless, there are some general things you can expect from a life coach.
First, your life coach will help you to identify your goals. This may involve taking a deep dive into your past to understand what has led you to this point in your life and what you really want to achieve. After you gained a good understanding of your goals, your life coach will help you create a plan to achieve them.
They might check in with you regularly (usually via email or Whatsapp) and see how you are progressing. Further, they will give you homework assignments keep you on track to your goal.
Ultimately, working with a life coach can be a very transformational experience. If you are struggling with direction or feel stuck in a rut, he or she can help you get clarity and start moving forward again. Above all, only if you ‘do your own push-ups’, you will reap the full rewards.
How to Prepare for a Life Coaching Session
Assuming you’ve already chosen a life coach and have scheduled your first session, it’s time to prepare for your first meeting. Prior to the first real session, you will have a Discovery Call to get to know each other. Here are a few things you can do to get the most out of your sessions:
1. Write down your goals.
What do you hope to achieve through life coaching? What areas of your life would you like to work on? Having specific goals in mind will help you and your coach create a plan of action and measure your progress over time.
2. Make a list of questions.
Do you have any questions about the coaching process? What topics would you like to discuss in your first session? Having a list of questions will help you make the most of your limited time with your coach.
3. Gather any relevant materials.
If there are any documents or other materials that will be helpful for your coach to see, make sure to bring them along to the session. This could include things like journal entries, financial records, or business plans.
4. Be prepared to be vulnerable.
Life coaching can be a very personal process. In order to get the most out of the sessions, you’ll need to be open to change and be vulnerable. For example, you are willing to share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences with your coach. If you’re not comfortable doing this, coaching may not be right for you.
Different Types of Life Coaches
Here is a breakdown of the different types of life coaches for different types of needs:
1. Health and Wellness Coach
If you’re looking to improve your overall health and wellness, a health and wellness coach can help. They will work with you to create a personalized plan to help you reach your wellness goals. This may include developing healthy habits, improving nutrition, increasing activity levels, and managing stress.
2. Career Coach
A career coach can help you if you’re looking to make a career change or advance in your current field. They can help you identify your strengths and passions, set goals, and create a plan to achieve them. A career coach can also provide guidance on job search strategies, networking, and interviewing. CoachUp.sg does offer resume writing services.
3. Relationship Coach
If you’re seeking help with your personal or professional relationships, a relationship coach can assist you. They can help you identify the areas in which you need improvement and work with you on communication skills, conflict resolution, and setting boundaries.
4. Business Coach
Are you an entrepreneur or small business owner? A business coach can help you take your business to the next level by providing guidance on goal setting, time management and give you the accountability and striking power you need.
To learn how CoachUp.sg can help, you can find our services here.
Alternatives to a Life Coach
There are many different ways to get help and support in achieving your goals, and a life coach is just one option. Some other alternatives to working with a coach include:
- Seeing a therapist or counselor: This can be helpful if you’re struggling with mental health issues or past trauma that’s impacting your ability to move forward in life.
- Mentoring: A good coach helps you explore your toughts and feelings and refrains from giving advice. Mentors usually do give advice on matters of the field of their expertise.
- Doing it yourself: Sometimes the best way to get what you want is to go after it yourself. Certainly, this requires self-discipline and motivation, but it can be very rewarding.
Conclusion
`A life coach can be an invaluable asset in helping you reach the goals that matter to you. This step-by-step guide should give you a better idea of what to expect from working with a life coach and how they can help you move towards the future that you want.
Don’t be afraid to take control of your own destiny and invest in yourself with a professional life coach – it could ultimately make all the difference.