The Life Coach.... adding values

People around ask me, “How did you become a life coach?”?It’s a good question. A journey begins with a purpose. One can change the course of your life at any time. Life coaching, wellness coaching, relationship coaching, leadership coaching, for me, there was some flavor of coaching burrowed into my heart, I tried to identify, build and caress it, then you know it is your calling.?

Initially, you struggle to get clear on your specific message, the direction and knowing what suits you best. But, you realize you just love to coach! Or maybe, you enjoy interactions, helping people to transform and feel immensely happy to notice the outcomes. I would love to tuck my entire coaching experience into this blog, but I have got to bolt it and try not to turn into a lengthy memoir!?Read below my quick understandings on?“The Life Coach”.?

What does Life Coaching actually mean?

The International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines life coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.” Back in the 1980s,?Thomas Leonard, first put life coaching on the map and by 1995, the ICF was formed. With time coaching emerged as a profession and the benefits of coaching soon became apparent. Coaching itself was acknowledged as a highly valuable discipline.??Consequently, thousands of people set out on their coaching journeys.?

The industry is exploding! It is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. By harnessing techniques based on core psychological principles and intuition, coaches empower clients and provide a toolkit of teachings to face challenges and overcome barriers. The process of life coaching is systematic. It comprises of application of theories, techniques and exercises. The process also caters to complex emotions resulting into astounding behaviours. Life coaching focuses on what’s happening right now, what a person wants next, and how that gap can be bridged. Yes, it is a broad term.

Rapidly increasing number of people credit their new-found motivation and productivity to life coaching.?

What are the issues addressed?

We all need a little help, especially when it comes to new journeys and pathways which lead to self-discovery. Life coaching can range from relationship and health coaching to life skills and career coaching. Coaches will usually work on productivity in professional, personal or business situations. They are also hired more and more frequently to help people with life/career change, personal goals and?self-development.?Clients look for guidance in confidence, career change, self-worth and esteem, work-life balance, relationships, finding life purpose, health, emotional intelligence and much more.?A life coach can help to recognize where the brain is stuck, it is a process to understand oneself better. As a life coach, I term it as a means to maximize personal and professional potentials. It is a path breaking journey!

What do they offer? / What do they do?

Although, coaching can be therapeutic, it is not an actual therapy. Think of a life coach as an action oriented mentor who are on a stride to help individuals reach goals.?

The work of a life coach is clearly centered to few things:?

• To help someone expand an idea. Humans are creative in positive environments.?
• To incorporate mindfulness, this is my personal favorite. It is to help someone understand their present experience. For example, allowing the highly successful?

?CEO to accept his/her hidden anxieties and acknowledge their strengths at regular intervals.?

• To accept multiple mindsets. To help ‘see’ things differently.?
• To understand personal value and belief systems and then how these show up in?all areas of our lives, all in all the life coach is an unbiased brainstorming?partner.?

?Life coaches are not…

The life coaches are not therapists. A life coach won’t address clinical issues. Who you should see, depends upon the nature of your concern.??For severe mental health concerns, one must see a mental health professional. To reach out, one must know the differences. There is really a thin line difference. A great life coach will know the boundaries of coaching and will refer you to a therapist if and when clinical work is needed. Further, it is not a life coach’s role to provide advice. It is a common misconception. They do not impart wisdom or a philosophy. They connect the dots. They rather facilitate the clients own process of connecting to their own inner wisdom and making choices. Reflect may be??

Beware of an uncertified, Life Coach!

I vouch for this statement. Live by it. There is a great power in this process. It would be disrespectful and unethical to make a fiasco of someone’s potentials who is in search of growth and progress. Because today anyone can hang a shingle and call themselves a coach. A person must do their due diligence in vetting a life coach.? The central idea of life coaching is that the clients must be given power to help themselves.?

Is Life Coaching for me? Can I be a life coach?

Coaching may not be for everyone. But, if you think you are positive about the statements below, give it a thought.?

Start a conversation with yourself and refer to the statements below:

1. I am a good listener

2. I feel motivated to work with individuals and groups

3. I am passionate to help people grow and transform through innovative ideas

4. I feel I am creative and enjoy problem solving

5. I feel I can motivate and help people develop their skills and healthy habits?

6. I think I can help individuals and groups to sharpen their skills through varied?methods

7. I enjoy interactions. Healthy discussions and helping people reach their goals?

8. I am able to clearly communicate ideas, feedback and accept criticisms

9. I feel I have an ability to connect with people

10. I feel I am organized, action oriented and enjoy challenges

Want to talk about it?

Get in touch with me.