Coaching For First Timers

When I began professionally coaching over 20 years ago, it was not widely recognised or sought as a personal growth and professional development service. When I mentioned I was a coach, most people assumed I was leading a sports team.

Today, things are a little different—coaching seems to be everywhere. Not only are workplaces offering coaching to employees, but many senior positions now even require coaching skills. People from all walks of life are calling themselves coaches or seeking coaching services. Coaching has become nearly mainstream, with niches for everything from improving relationships (even with your pet) to perfecting baking or gardening skills.

It seems anyone with lived experience or expertise is now a coach.

So the accessibility to coaching and the beautiful rainbow of coaches is vast, but there still seems to be a misunderstanding of what coaching actually is, how it works, the benefits it offers, how long it typically lasts, and the type of coaching that may be needed, especially when you are a first timer.

So for anyone new to coaching or considering hiring a coach, let’s start with what coaching is not.

Advice or consulting, as your coach I do not provide you with readymade solutions or expert advice. Instead, I empower you go inward and discover your own answers.

Therapy or counselling, as coaching is not designed to heal your past trauma. A coaching partnership creates a safe space to bring awareness and compassion to your life experiences, allowing the hold of the past traumas to begin to dissolve. From this place of emotional awareness, you can move forward with life.

Training or teaching, as I do not typically provide structured lessons or skills training. I may step into the role of teacher on the odd occasion and instruct on specific techniques to help you identify and developed skills you already possess or wish to strengthen.

Friendship or casual advice as when you engage me as your coach it is a professional relationship and that comes with boundaries, agreements, and an intentional focus on your personal growth. The casual advice I may offer from my own experience is solely focussed supporting your Self development.

One time solution or quick fix as to really grow and change as a person, it takes commitment, time and a willingness to change.

So what is coaching?

Coaching is partnership designed to facilitate Self-discovery, leading to personal growth. It helps you become the person you aspire to be in life and work so you can start to Be and Do, with Purpose.

The International Coaching Federation (ICF), coaching’s governing body, defines coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.”

The process I offer is very straightforward. We start with soul-searching questions: Who am I? What do I really want (my deepest desire)? What is my purpose?

As simple as that sounds, it is also one of the hardest things to work out in life.

So is there any difference between life coaching, development coaching, performance coaching, leadership coaching, executive coaching etc?

My answer would be yes, and no. Life coaching serves as the operating system for all coaching partnerships, while the others use different methodologies to help you move from where you are now to where you want to be and insight and guidance on how to get there.

The labelling can be very confusing for those seeking a coaching service. I have clients who start of seeking executive coaching, but we end up working more on their personal live then their executive performance - and vice versa. It all depends on the focus of the coaching partnership and how this partnership unfolds. ?

What tools or techniques are used during coaching?

What makes each coach so special that each coach uses their own tools, techniques and style.

I personally blend contemporary science with ancient, consciousness-based science and practices, while also utilising techniqus from a wide range of coaching methodologies.

?Coaching is for everyone but not everyone is a coach.

Looking at the socials, you could be fooled to think that everyone is a coach, but not everyone is suited to be one. Becoming a coach requires more than just experience or knowledge in a particular field; it demands a unique way of being, a level of curiosity, the ability to consciously listen and then reflect from a non-judgemental, unbias place.

It requires a high level of Self awareness, emotional awareness, and even spiritual development.

Coaching is for people who genuinely want to change. If you aspire to live a more authentic life full of purpose, find your dream job, perform better as a leader, or simply escape the feeling of being stuck, coaching is for you.

How often do I need to have a coaching session to see change?

This is very personal and depends on the outcome you wish to achieve. I often work with executives and leaders focused on specific goals, such as becoming more authentic in their leadership style, addressing limiting beliefs or dissolve their Shadow. These clients typically choose between 6 to 12 one-hour coaching sessions, meeting weekly or every 2–3 weeks. Other clients seeking lasting change in their personal and professional lives may opt for a 4 to 6-month partnership.

I have worked with clients seeking a one-off 2-hour focus session to those who meet with me for over a year or a few times a year for several years.

Some clients only need a brief ‘moment’ with me to feel the benefits of coaching; I often help them move from where they are to where they want to be with just one or two well-timed questions.

Is coaching in person better than virtual?

Both modalities work well; it comes down to personal preference. I mostly serve clients virtually as I work with individuals across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and even Europe. I also offer solo retreats for clients seeking rapid personal growth, deep transformation, and a highly bespoke approach.

While in-person coaching can provide intimacy, it may be overwhelming for some people, who feel safer discussing personal issues in their own home environment.

Over the past decade, I have refined the art of building a deep and soulful connection with my clients virtually and most of my clients prefer this approach as it works well around their life and other commitments.

How much does coaching cost?

Coaching fees vary significantly based on the coach and the type of coaching offered. A good coach will help you achieve lasting and often life-changing results. The right coach can even help you reach a point where you continue to experience breakthroughs long after the coaching partnership ends. I know most of my clients do.

I offer high-quality coaching and a bespoke service, having spent years mastering my coaching partnerships and investing in my self-development and personal growth.

My refined toolkit of skills, bespoke and unique approach can lead to profound insights, transformation, and often radical change – fast!

Does coaching really work for me?

Yes, yes, and yes—when you are genuinely ready for long-lasting change. When you find the right coach, it becomes a deeply transformational personal growth journey, and one that will enrich your life and keep empowering you for years to come.

If you're unsure if coaching is for you, I invite you to book a free 30-minute session with me.

The worst that can happen is that you feel you wasted half an hour. The best thing that can happen is that in that brief moment, you find a partner who helps you move to where you’ve wanted to be for a long time.

Feel free to connect with me to learn more about coaching or to schedule a 30-minute free taster session. If we are not a good fit for each other, I would be happy to refer you to some amazing coaches who may be a better match. You can email me [email protected] or visit my website www.innerbloomcoaching.com

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