What Is Life Coaching?
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 am 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 will work on in the time leading up to the next session. 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 are 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!