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A Life Coach (as opposed to a sports coach) will help you develop and execute a plan to work toward your goals. Your Life Coach will listen intently, ask you to probe deeper, guide you as you define your goals, design your plan, and help you to achieve your goals.
How is coaching different from consulting, mentoring, therapy, or having a really great "best" friend?
Coaching is very different. If we take a look at each, we find that:
- Consulting involves hiring an expert who you hope has the answers. The Consultant is hired to “Fix” whatever problem is put in front of them. The Coach on the other hand, is hired to help you find the best way to achieve your goals and make the improvements you want. The Coach believes that you are the best expert for your life. In a coaching relationship, it is truly “All About You!”
- A Mentor has some similarities with a Coach in that both should be looking at where you are going in life. However, the Mentor typically focuses on one specific part of your life. For example, you may hire a Career Mentor who has years of experience in your chosen field. The Mentor will share their secrets and approach with you and help you develop professionally, but will remain narrowly focused on the work part of your life. Your Life Coach however, will always be helping ensure you have balance, since without balance, success in one area of your life may well lead to disaster in another.
- Most therapists work with patients focussing on the past to identify psychological issues, their root causes, and possible therapeutic and medicinal treatments. A Therapist works to help clients become healthy and well adapted. Coaches, on the other hand typically work with healthy people who want to take a proactive role to improve their lives or become exceptional performers.
A good coach should be aware of situations when a client may benefit from working with a therapist. The International Coach Federation provides the "Top Ten Indicators to Refer to a mental health Professional" which I use in my practice. It is important that everyone seeks the appropriate kind of support for the issues they face, and in some cases, a client may work with both a coach and a therapist.
- Having a really great best friend and a supportive family are important components of an effective support system. A Coach is a wonderful addition to your support structure since a coach offers an independent view of your world, with no hidden motives or preconceived notions about what you can or should achieve.
Who hires coaches? I thought coaching was only for corporate executives.
There is no doubt that Corporate Executives have benefited significantly from their relationships with coaches. However, executives are not the only people who can benefit from having a coach. Anyone who wants to improve their life in some way can achieve great results with the support of a coach. Coaches may also be extremely beneficial during transitions in your life. For example, college students preparing for graduation, individuals facing job changes, or mid-career professionals looking for a change are frequent coaching clients.
What areas of life can a coach help me with?
A coach can help with virtually any improvement you wish to make in your life. Instead of having you read a long list of possible ideas, ask yourself the following questions:
* What would I like to change in my life to make me feel more successful, fulfilled, or happy?
* What thing(s) about my life do I tolerate today but wish I could change?
Odds are that you have just identified the first items that you would work with your coach to explore, set goals around, and achieve.
Why coaching works?
Coaching works because you already have the ability to achieve your goals, all you need is someone to help keep you on track as you work towards that goal. Your coach becomes your confidant, cheer leader, supporter, sounding board and sanity check all in one, but the real work comes from you. Armed with your goal as your mission, you head out to achieve your goal knowing that you have a well-planned approach and a support system to get you through it all.
Is telephone coaching really effective?
Yes, in fact the vast majority of all coaching is conducted over the phone. Many coaches feel that telephone coaching is even more effective than face to face coaching since visual distractions are eliminated for both the client and the coach allowing more focused attention on the issues at hand.
Where do the coach and client first focus their efforts?
The efforts will be focused on whatever issue the client feels is most important and is most willing to actively work on at the time.
How soon can the client expect to see results?
That is up to you and the issue you are working on. Some clients (including myself) have seen dramatic results within the first couple of weeks. In other situations, progress may be much slower, but still continuing at a steady pace until the goal is achieved.
What goes on during a coaching session?
During a typical coaching session, you will be doing a lot of talking while your coach will be doing a lot of listening. As your coach, I will spend as much as 80% of our time listening to your thoughts and feelings about your goal. The rest of our time together will be spent making sure we share a common understanding. I will also be asking you additional questions, and helping you define your plan of action.
How do I know if coaching is right for me?
The best way to know if coaching is right for you is to start the process today and arrange a no obligation sample session.
Why do clients pay in advance?
Commitment. As with anything else, if you pay for it in advance, you are showing your commitment to what you are undertaking.
How long do people work with a coach?
Clients may work with a coach for a few sessions when they have an immediate need, or they pay maintain a long term relationship with a coach as they continually work to improve their quality of life. The choice is yours.
Do you guarantee your coaching?
I guarantee that I will meet all of my commitments to you, and abide by our Client/Coach agreement. I also guarantee that I will work diligently with you as you pursue your goals. I cannot guarantee that you will achieve your goal as that success is up to you.
Do coaches have a Code of Ethics?
Yes. As a member of the International Coaches Federation, I am committed to follow the ICF Code of Ethics that can be reviewed by visiting the ICF Code of Ethics Page
Other Questions
Please visit the other pages of our web site, and our policies and procedures. If you still can’t find what you are looking for, email me and I will get back to you as quickly as possible.
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For more information contact us at:
mark(at)LifeDevelopmentCoach.com
©2007 Mark A. Vickers and Mind, Body, Spirit Productions
