Why You Should Consider Life Coaching
I wish I’d known about the benefits of coaching sooner. I remember a time about 15 years ago when I was in a broken relationship and struggling. As quickly as we had bought a house, acquired two cats and meshed our lives and friends together, we were signing legal documents and unpicking our joined at the hip world. It was heart breaking and stressful. It impacted on my work, I lost my confidence and I was making bad personal decisions. I felt lost, sad and angry and couldn’t see beyond what was happening in the moment.
In life, there are points in which we face challenges and issues with our families, friends, career and relationships. Mostly we just put our heads down and get on with it. We are so immersed in our lives it’s hard to see what’s working and what isn’t.
Whether we would like to improve our self-esteem or self-confidence, expand career opportunities, pivot or change direction, seeking clarity on life/career purpose or create strategies for a better work/life balance, having a life coach can be beneficial.
What is life coaching?
In a nutshell, life coaching involves partnering with clients in a thought provoking and creative process to unlock their personal and professional potential[1]. A coach holds the space for clients to explore where they are feeling stuck, helping them overcome obstacles in their way and provide different perspectives that they can’t see. Walking side by side with the client to create a plan of action and act as an accountability partner to keep them on track.
Successful business folks and celebrities have coaches too
Many successful people from the world of politics, business and entertainment work with coaches to help them improve themselves. Hugh Jackman, Leonardo DiCaprio and Bill Gates have all worked with coaches. Eric Schmidt, Chairman of Alphabet, once stated in an interview that “everyone needs a coach” and Oprah Winfrey is a big advocate of coaching and even attributed some of her success and finding her true life’s purpose to her coach.
Coaching helps you stop the crazy mind chatter in your head that tells you all the time that you're not good enough. Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, Executive Chairman of Google and Alphabet Inc.
Five reasons to have a life coach
Setting goals and accountability: It could be a goal or ambition that’s been burning inside you or a frustration in your life or career, and you want to make changes but feel helpless, that you don’t deserve success or to have dreams. Making change can feel scary and overwhelming and sometimes you just don’t know where to start.
Finding your life purpose: Are you asking yourself the questions “What difference do I make with my life?”, “What am I meant to do in the world?”. We all have a purpose, but sometimes it’s not always clear to us. Having purpose is about living life intentionally, making choices that increase the value of our own life and others. Finding our purpose in work and life can be hugely motivating and enriching.
Overcoming limiting beliefs: Most of our beliefs and behaviours develop in childhood and they stick even when they don’t serve us. These beliefs, sometimes called saboteur or inner critic, can create dissonance and hold us back from fulfilling our potential. The role of the coach is to help you challenge these beliefs and overcome them.
Creating stronger personal boundaries: Do you feel overwhelmed with the demands of work and family? Often agreeing to do things you don’t want to do or having your personal space constantly intruded on by family members? A coach can help you take a step back to acknowledge when you are people pleasing, find ways to be more assertive and learn to say no!
Having your own cheerleader: A coach really sees you; they challenge your blind spots and the things that are holding you back, objectively and without judgement. They are your champion highlighting your strengths and nurturing you through your own transformation.