What Is Life Coaching?

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The International Coach Federation's definition of coaching is: partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.

 

"In order for coaching to work, there must be a commitment to exploring, changing, learning, taking risks, persevering even when it is hard, investing the time and energy, go beyond (your) comfort zone and step into the unknown."   from "Co-Active Coaching:  Changing Business, Transforming Lives," Henry Kimsey-House, Karen Kimsey-House, Phillip Sandahl and Laura Whitworth

 

I help you, the client:

 

  • develop the best answers from within; your own answers

  • discover your own answers that will bring you closer to the life that you want by asking the right questions

  • develop a clear vision of exactly where you want to go

  • clearly articulate your desires

  • look to the future and create plans to move forward toward your dreams

  • attain success through nurturing and motivation

  • identify the step by step actions needed to achieve success

  • prioritize

  • dig deep to discover what in your life works (and expand upon it) and what doesn't (and work to improve the situation or distance yourself from it)  

  • discover what is draining your energy and ways you might be able to remedy the situation and make a positive change

  • discover your own insight, intuition, and solutions that work best for you

  • make clear, informed decisions

  • by providing support, empathy, enthusiasm, motivation, and accountability on an ongoing basis

  • by celebrating victories, both little and big, in order to motivate and encourage you to stay on your path toward a more fulfilling life.

  • discover your potential

  • have fun learning more about yourself

  • recreate your life via the arts

 

Important qualities for a coach to possess: 

 

  • communication skills

  • listening skills

  • understanding

  • optimism

  • professionalism

  • trustworthiness--providing a safe environment that encourages growth and change

  • honesty

  • empowerment

  • ability to guide and encourage behavior change

  • ability to patiently guide you, the client, on your journey toward positive life change

 

What coaching is not:

 

  • Advising*

  • Consulting*

  • Counseling*

  • Psychotherapy*

 

*For these services, please consult a qualified, licensed professional. 

 

Your Role

 

  • Please take time before each session to complete and email the session prep form that I will provide to you by email.

  • Please take the time to sit quietly for a few moments before each session begins.  Put the events of the day aside and think about what you would like to take away from the session. 

  • Please arrive at every session on time, prepared to actively participate.

  • Give me feedback during each session--what works, what doesn't, how you would like to progress.

 

My Role

 

  • I will listen to you, respond to what I hear you say or to what you have written/created in response to an exercise, and ask questions.  If at any time you sense that I’m off the mark, please tell me.

  • I will sometimes interrupt the conversation to clarify what I'm hearing, or to keep the conversation focused on the heart of the matter in order to help guide you and keep you on track.  I ask that you not take these interruptions personally.  A coaching conversation is different from a conversation with a friend.  Please let me know if you feel offended by these interruptions, so we can discuss the matter and come to a mutual understanding. 

  • At the end of each session, I welcome you to let me know what you'll work on in the time leading up to the next session.  Of course, the coaching programs have a set schedule and topic.  That said, to bring about meaningful change takes consistent practice, so I am very interested in knowing what challenges you're working on and how you're progressing throughout the program.  If you don't mention anything, I will make some suggestions/requests.

  • I am your coach.  I am your guide.  This is about your life; your decisions, plans, and actions to make it the best life it can be.  You're free to accept, decline or work with me on alternatives to any suggestions I make. 

  • I ask you to stretch yourself.  Work at making your life the best it can be by doing the exercises, resolving issues, challenging yourself, making healthy changes--and, as a result, watching your life come to LIFE!