As you might well imagine, one of the important roles that I am accustomed to playing as the head of New Insights, is to promote the advantages of life coaching and becoming a life coach.
The problem, of course, is that that’s what people expect to hear from me so I often get: \”Well you would say that wouldn\’t you\”.
… So it’s great to be able to find and refer to totally unbiased sources of information about the industry from time to time. (To honest, it also cuts down on the amount of writing I have to do 🙂 )
I came across an article written by Greta McClain and posted in the Digital Journal a few days ago and that I thought was worth sharing with you. OK, so it is written from a US perspective, but I believe it applies equally elsewhere.
[box type=\”shadow\”]\”Chaos in the world brings uneasiness, but it also allows the opportunity for creativity and growth.\”
– Tom Barrett, U.S. Politician[/box]
Life coaching becoming one of the fastest growing industries
After the 2007 economic crash, many individuals were faced with unemployment and the challenge of finding a new career, leading some to venture into what has become one of the fastest growing industries over the last decade.
With the housing, manufacturing and retail sectors being hit especially hard, hundreds of thousands of newly-unemployed workers were searching for work and new skills which would allow them to enter other industries. According to Bureau of Labor Studies report, two of the fast growing industries are individual and family services and vocational rehabilitation services.
A rapidly growing industry which can easily fall into either of the two categories is Life Coaching. According to a 2012 study, there are 47,500 life coaches worldwide and 15,800 in North America. The industry brings in an annual revenue of $2 billion.
One does not wake up and become a life coach overnight however. As with any career, an individual must have the natural ability and skills to be an effective life coach. Of equal importance is specialized training to become a life coach. This training enables the individual to not only be successful in their new career, but provides them with the additional skills needed to help others be successful.
Life Coaching can be defined as a process of training or development that assists an individual obtain the skills and knowledge needed to achieve specific personal or professional goals. A recent Huffington Post article points out that life coaching differs from traditional physiological therapy in that it focuses on moving the individual forward and developing opportunities, as opposed to looking back at past issues that have resulted problems that need to be fixed.
According to a USA Today report, life coaches are particularly popular with men, who perhaps saw the greatest need for guidance and skill development due to the decline of traditionally male dominated jobs in construction and manufacturing. Patrick Williams, founder of Life Coach Training, says men make up approximately 60 percent of all those who receive life coaching.
Life coaching is also popular with many entrepreneurs. Ali Riaz, president of a search technology company purchased by Google, turned to a life coach to help him better organizational and time management skills. He told the New York Times:
“Anybody looking from the outside at me, they would say, ‘This guy has no pressure. He’s so happy.\’ Guys would say, ‘I want your life.’ I’d say: ‘No, bro, you don’t.’ Life was hard. It took all of my time to make it all work.”
Although Riaz was nervous that the process would somehow minimize the personality traits and skills that has made him successful, he believes the process has helped him develop additional skills that has enhanced his natural talents. The ability to admit he does not know something and to be a better listener has creates a different dynamic he believes has enhanced his success.
Life coaching has become a popular career for retired individuals as well. Many retirees enjoy sharing the life lessons they have learned, which enables them to not only serve others, but also allow them to continue their own personal growth. Fifty-four-year-old Linda Garneau likes the idea of being able to make a difference in people\’s lives, saying:
“Being a coach at this stage of my life allows me to live with a clear purpose and make the difference I did not make in my younger years, but am certainly going to make now.”
Source: http://www.digitaljournal.com/
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It is a pity we live in a society driven by pride, in our village, there are broken people, I know through my involvement in our church, and it does not matter how many times I have offered to help, it is seen as a sign of weakness to admit you need help. People need to realize they do not need to hit rock bottom, before they can make a fresh start. Great article, I will see if I can get our local paper to publish it
The best life coaching clients are not those who ‘hit rock bottom’ and need help but those everyday folk who are doing fine but recognise that they are capable of so much more and are prepared to invest in chasing their dreams!
Great article Bill lets hope the UK can grab some of that enthusiasm and open its minds to life coaching. I had a session last night with a client who said “I think everyone should have a life coach”
– wonderful to hear considering on our initial conversation she said “not sure this is for me”
Only 3 sessions in and what a change.
Yes, indeed, Annette. And I think it is beholden on life coaches to get the best training they can so they can make the greatest difference to their clients. That way demand for life coach services will spread like wildfire – as they should!
My soul is dancing at the news that I am part of such a rapidly growing industry! How happy I am that I was not asked to become a mentor while still working in the corporate world. It is truly an honour and a privilege now, as a self employed New Insights Pro Life Coach, to be given an opportunity to encourage and support each client who chooses me to inspire them to discover their “Untapped Potential.” None of us needs to be fixed. But oh how I want to shout from the roof tops, “You don’t need life coaching. You deserve it!”
Good for you Karen, you have so much to give!
Thanks, Bill! Always helpful to have this kind of information and affirmation when introducing interested and potential clients to the exciting and empowering world of (life) coaching.
You’re welcome Roger!