People seek out a life coach to resolve or improve a vast array of issues in their lives. They may be experiencing a lack of confidence, procrastination or imposter syndrome. They may be settling for less than what they really want. They may be looking for more purpose and meaning. They may feel weighed down by constant fear, guilt or worry. They have a desire to improve their relationships, productivity, financial situation, work/life balance, health, spiritual connection or just their sense of freedom. In any case, they’re tired of living life the way they currently are but are having trouble moving past what feel like invisible blocks. There’s a desire to change something, but they’re having difficulty achieving that change on their own.
What is coaching?
Coaching is a proven process for helping people improve their lives. When there’s something we want but can’t quite seem to make come true, there’s something else blocking the way. Coaching is about ferreting out those blocks and discovering ways to step over them. It’s about transforming your current life into the life you’ve dreamed of — the life that’s been dreaming of you. Whether it’s realizing deferred dreams, finding peace in the midst of change, wanting a life of abundance or trying to figure out your life purpose, my role as coach is to help you get there.
Through the use of assessments, education, and powerful questions that encourage reflection and growth, you will uncover what it is you really want and what’s gotten in your way in the past. You will also discover the path that leads to accomplishing your goals.
The side benefits of this work are many: clarity of purpose, efficiency, sustainable motivation, financial satisfaction, a sense of fulfillment, greater authenticity, more loving relationships and even a sense of peace.
Coaching, therapy, and consulting share a few similarities, but each have their respective place in the world of helping modalities. Knowing what to expect from each is important.
Psychotherapy
Therapy’s main function is to heal wounds from our past, to take us from dysfunctional to functional. Its focus is heavily in the past. In therapy the therapist is the expert and the goal is usually to answer the question “why.”
Coaching’s purpose is to take us from functional to an optimal state and focuses on the present and future. Although connecting our present with our past is sometimes helpful, the focus of coaching is not on healing the past, but on moving forward from the present. Although a client may have experienced some past trauma, coaching believes that nothing in the past creates a permanent flaw or brokenness which cannot be moved beyond. Coaching usually tries to answer the question “how.”
Consulting
A consultant is hired to come in, assess the situation, and make recommendations on how to improve whatever you want to improve. The action centers around the consultant’s ideas. It is then your job to carry out his/her recommendations. Consultants provide the education and direction they believe necessary to achieve the stated goal.
Coaching is about empowering you to realize the genuine wisdom and knowledge you already possess. I do occasionally provide some education, particularly around retraining the mind and ways to be more present. But the amazing power of coaching becomes tangible when clients see and feel the clarity that is within. As a coach, I stay engaged with you as long as you wish while changes are enacted, encouraging and helping to keep you focused. I also assist in determining new goals as the need arises.