Today’s post is the second in a two-part discussion about maximising the impact and reach of life coaching – and what I believe is standing in the way.
In Part 1, which I encourage you to read for context, if you haven’t already, I mentioned that there were a number of contributing factors that I felt could be lumped into two ‘buckets’.
In Part 2, I’ll talk about the second ‘bucket’, which is more esoteric in nature than the first. In my opinion, it says a lot about the type of world we humans have conspired to create.
2. The ‘Problem’ – ‘Solution’ culture
There is no question that life presents us with a constant stream of challenges. Challenges are the fuel that promotes our growth, development and evolution … that much has never changed.
But every challenge can be viewed from two very different perspectives. It can be seen, either as a problem, or as an opportunity (admittedly often in heavy disguise!)
In a benevolent, caring world, in which people’s interests were paramount, governments and big businesses would encourage and promote an opportunity-focused approach to challenges, as this would stimulate growth and development through self help and innovation.
Sadly though, today’s world is characterised by the existence of powerful, elitist groups with strong vested interests in promoting a problem-focused mindset among the general populace.
You see, a problem-obsessed population represents a huge opportunity to those elitist groups. It allows them to prescribe the ‘solutions’ – and thereby make a LOT of money (and substantially increase their power base).
I added quote marks to the word ‘solutions’ because the solutions these powerful interests peddle are often not true solutions at all. After all, once a problem is solved, the opportunity that it presents disappears with it.
So the ‘solutions’ are designed to offer symptomatic relief rather than a cure. In that way, the underlying problem never goes away. This forces those who buy the ‘solutions’ to become unwitting dependants – or perpetual customers, if you like.
I count many of our governments and big corporates among these elitist groups. Some wield tremendous influence over the media houses that control the narrative of the daily news, that keeps the population firmly problem– rather than opportunity–focused in its attitude.
I’m not sure if you can sense where I’m going here, so let’s step back a bit.
Life coaching is, by design, very much opportunity-focused. That’s what makes it such a vibrant, exciting and uplifting industry.
It is true that many clients will, at first, present with what they see as ‘problems’. And the approach of the life coach is to help the client find their own solutions. But these are solutions of a permanent nature, as they are founded on developing an opportunity-based approach to the challenges faced.
Turning problems into opportunities, and then taking the action required to realise those opportunities, is transformational in nature. As such, it requires a genuine commitment and an investment of time and energy.
At its most effective, life coaching involves an extended process, not a one-off intervention.
So you can begin to appreciate the issue we are dealing with here.
In a problem-dominated world, where people have become used to looking for what I call ‘quick fix solutions’, the appetite for spending time and energy on authentic solutions that involve a process of personal reinvention (often challenging in itself) is, unfortunately, diminished.
Like in any industry, there will always be some so-called life coaches who value lining their pockets ahead of following their moral compasses. Hence the plethora of ‘quick fix’ coaching interventions being marketed for every conceivable personal problem nowadays.
But, if we in the industry honestly care about promoting the reach and impact of life coaching, or, in simple terms, bringing clarity, motivation and purpose to as many people as possible, it is vital that we steer well clear of becoming prescribers of symptom relief.
We must remain true to our role as facilitators of personal transformation, helping our clients to reframe their ‘problems’ into opportunities that can then be capitalised on.
That’s what the world needs right now!
Your concluding paragraph is so powerful, Bill as it encapsulates what our mission as New Insights Life Coaches, should be. Society’s promotion of a quick fix strategy is so enticing, that most people are tempted by it. Hence, for instance, the huge profits that the pharmaceutical companies make. The skills that one learns, and the benefits one gains, from the New Insights Program, are both life-changing and long-lasting. Let’s shout that from the rooftops all over the world!
Such an inspiring comment – thanks Karen!