Why Life Coaching?

Those of us in the industry are regularly confronted with the question: “Why life coaching?”

The reason why people hold such different – and often poorly informed – views about what life coaching really is, no doubt has much to do with the rather generic and non descriptive nature of the term ‘life coaching’.

All the more important then, that those of us in the industry can do justice to this great profession when we are called on to verbalise what it is all about.

[box type=\”shadow\”]“There are three types of people in this world. Firstly, there are people who make things happen. Then there are people who watch things happen. Lastly, there are people who ask, what happened? Which do you want to be?”

― Steve Backley[/box]

 

 

Why Life Coaching (continued)

Counselling and Coaching

Many people still confuse coaching with counselling and or therapy. Although the two disciplines can be very complementary, they are still fundamentally different and usually apply to people in different stages of personal growth.

For example, counselling tends to focus on past traumas and events that may not yet have been adequately dealt with and are therefore restricting the client from leading a ‘normal’ life.

Life coaching is more relevant and successful in people who are mentally well, fully functioning individuals. It works from the premise that the past need not dictate the future and that every person has it within them to create the future they want, regardless of what has gone before.

Happier more fulfilled lives

In simple terms I like to say that life coaching is about assisting clients to find and use their inner strengths to lead happier, more fulfilled lives.

Just as one might hire a fitness trainer to assist with getting into physical shape, one would hire a life coach to help you live life more fully, more meaningfully and more happily.

Through life coaching, clients get to acknowledge, understand and overcome the many self imposed limitations that restrict their ability to be, do and have what they truly want.

Uncovering one’s life purpose

Through the process of setting and getting goals they are able to discover their own unique capabilities and gain in self confidence. As they begin to understand what really makes them tick, the true purpose of their life can become clear, often for the first time and with amazing results!

And what could be more exciting?

Life coaching can provide a vital catalyst for all those who desire to go beyond the mediocre, reach for their dreams and experience greater personal freedom, self confidence and growth.

What life coaching is

In summary, then, life coaching…

• is about helping people to help themselves;

• focuses on uncovering and exploiting talents and abilities rather than on living with limitations or restrictions;

• is focused on the present and future rather than the past;
• is about finding ways to see and grasp opportunities more than about dealing with problems;

• involves inspiring, motivating and empowering people rather than counselling or advising them;

• aims to develop conscious awareness and achieve lasting personal growth and self confidence for the client;

• is by nature a caring, positive and uplifting discipline.

A few scenarios

In closing, if you’re reading this, not as a life coach, but as someone wondering whether life coaching could work for you, let me share a few of the very many scenarios in which life coaching could be wonderfully effective:

• You’re contemplating a major change in your life and want the confidence and ability to tackle it with enthusiasm and positivity.

• A major change has taken place in your life and you need assistance in dealing with it successfully.

• You’re no longer prepared to live a regular life and are committed to living life to the full.

• You have compelling goals that you desperately want to achieve but don’t know where to start.

• You want to be the best you can be and need help setting and achieving powerful goals.

• You’ve surprised yourself with what you have achieved (perhaps you’ve been promoted or written a book or won a talent contest or delivered a baby) and want help and guidance to deal with your new-found success.

• You want to rise above the stresses of day-to-day living and live a life of purpose, confidence and joy.

• You’ve recently left school or university and want to ensure that you are successful with the next phase of your life.

• You’ve recently married and want to build a purposeful, rewarding and positive future with your partner and family.

• You are starting a new business and want it to be fabulously successful.

• You want to grow as a person, to understand what drives you and how to gain personal freedom to live a more meaningful and joyful life.

• You’re looking for inspiration and/or motivation to be the best you can be.

 

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