FAQ
A: A Life Coach is a professionals who works with people who want to improve their lives in specific ways, such as changing careers, finding a healthy relationship, taking their business to a new level, or deepening their self-understanding, for example. They deal with stress management as well as time management, goal setting and other key areas of change to help their clients lead more balanced lives that better reflect clients’ personal values and priorities. It differs from therapy in that the focus is more on the present and future than the past, more on goals and behaviors than emotions and emotional patterns, and there is a more equal balance of power between the coach and client than between the typical therapist and client.
A: Life coaching is directed towards moving forward, change, improvements and results. Your coach is skilled at getting the best from you, helping you discover your own best answers, tapping into your own internal motivation, getting you in touch with what matters most to you, and encouraging you to feel great about taking action. Your coach also adds energy to the process and your life by their own enthusiasm and belief in you and what you can accomplish.
A: Usually coaching is done over the phone. This seems to work really well for several reasons: The geographical location of the client and the coach doesn't matter...Allowing the most beneficial match possible to be the top consideration; people tend to be more honest and open with the sense of anonymity on the phone; and no special trips are needed out of the house - Saves time, money and gasoline!
The coach and client usually talk weekly, 3-4 times a month. In the calls you talk about what has went well and what hasn't, if you accomplished your specific goals for that week, and what the next steps are. Throughout this process, the coach is asking powerful questions that help you access your best information, talents, emotions and self. The coach also provides support, objectivity, structure, energy, positivity, insight and technology (tools).
Between calls, you will have steps to take in your own life, and/or exercises to complete that help you learn more about yourself. You can also usually talk to your coach on email as much as you want, to make sure you are staying on target. Coaching is sort of like a partnership, where you work together intensely and powerfully on your life!
A: Some people will want to focus just on the issue at hand, for example, finding a career, improving a relationship, etc. However, coaching recognizes that you are a whole person! Your whole life is a system, in which each aspect affects every other. How are you going to make a good decision about your career future if you hate your home environment? How are you going to improve your relationship if you are completely stressed out about money? So, as much as you are comfortable, your coach will encourage you to consider your whole life: Physical, mental, emotional, spiritual (connection to something larger than yourself), health, environment, relationships, work/career, finances, etc. Of course, if anything is off limits, just let your coach know! You and your coach set the ground rules early in your sessions.
A: If you have challenges, goals, ambitions or aims in your life which will bring you happiness and you can confidently achieve these goals in an effective way and time, then no, you do not need to use a Life Coach. If however, you find achieving some life goals difficult, or would like the help and support of a professional mentor/coach then you should consider using the services of a life coach.