For this week’s blogpost, I am posting some common questions I get, and I think it would be helpful to have them all in one place!
These come from my own perspective and knowledge, so please keep that in mind. During my research, I found different perspectives.
1. What is coaching?
Coaching is a process of helping a person to change in the way they wish and help them go in the direction they want to go.
2. Is life coaching and therapy the same thing?
Always think about coaching as the journey from your present to your future. It is not about the past, neither is about going backwards to move forward.
Sometimes before starting coaching, it is recommended going to therapy to work on your past, to accept and be at peace with your past.
3. What type of life coaches there are?
There are coaches for every type of change you want to have in your life. Think of one change you want to make in your life and I am sure you will find a coach. For example, we had a baby sleeping coach for my daughter. It was life changing! From not sleeping the nights to fully resting nights! Our coach didn’t work with the baby directly, she worked with us, the parents.
There were new behaviors to adopt and help with the expected stress along the journey. The coach guided us through the journey, supporting and challenging us through the process of change. This experience was quite rough on us, but I mention this example because it was very tense. I couldn’t stand listening to my baby crying. It even got to the point that I told my husband we should separate because he was being insensitive. He could stand listening to our baby crying. It was unacceptable. In the morning, our coach walked us through the situation, acknowledged my pain, normalized the situation, and after a couple more questions, I was agreeing to continue the process of change, which was in this case, getting my baby sleeping!
This is a very specific case, but I have other personal experiences with coaching, like managing stress at work. Stress like when I started to manage a team for the first time, when I decided to become a blogger, when I wanted to feel fully present to my children, how to manage my teenager, how to improve my money mindset, and my decision to start a business.
I wish I had a coach after having a baby, and a coach helping me come back to work. I feel being pregnant can be a very vulnerable phase, and having someone who can support you during this transition would make it a much happier time, rather than living with some anxiety.
Here is a short list of examples of coaching someone could use:
12 Major Coaching Niches:
- Goal Achievement
- Health
- Love/relationships
- Family
- Mindset
- Spiritual
- Money
- Career
- Corporate
- Entrepreneurship
- Life Skills
- Industry Specific/Skills
4. What are the requirements to be a life coach?
Life coaching is a non-regulated industry, which means there are no laws that govern the field. This is the case in the United States and in all other countries as well. (It is recommended that any coach who is concerned regarding this matter seek advice from his/her state or country.) There is no degree required to be a life coach.
Unlike academic institutions (such as universities), life coach training organizations do not need to be accredited by a governing body because there exists no accrediting institution in the field. There is no license required to be a life coach. This is because life coaching is dramatically different from therapy. Life coaches are not licensed mental health care providers or therapists and must not provide medical advice, engage in patient diagnosis, or treat mental illness or trauma.
So basically, anyone can be a coach, but I would say to be a useful coach, you must learn the tools and strategies, have the life experience, and be passionate about results in others.
5. What are the formats of the life coaching sessions?
It can be 1:1, in group, or live events, like with Tony Robbins or the other big names in the coaching industry.
6. Who are the common references as life coaches?
This is subjective and if you Google you will find different ones, depending on the field. For me, I would say, Tony Robbins, Brendon Burchard, Mel Robbins are the bigger names in the life coaching industry.
7. Is there a common process to follow during a coaching program?
Yes, there is. I split into 2 phases: definition and accountability.
Definition – During this phase, there will be clarity as to what you want to achieve. It can be longer or shorter, depending where you are.
Accountability – Here is where you walk the walk. This means following a plan, and it is important to have a coach as an accountability partner to support you to overcome the obstacles during the journey.
8. What are the key ingredients to hiring a coach?
Trust. Empathy. Relatability. Recognize authority.
For me it is never a quick process, there is always a phase of engagement, getting to know the coach, how they work, and how I feel being with that person.
I ask myself:
“Do I feel energized?”
“Do I feel empowered?”
“Do I believe in the process?”
“Do I feel the words coming to me?”
If it is a yes to all of them and you have a good feeling, I would say it is a go! There is no real formula, but I would say, your gut has to say YES!
Also, I know some people look for coaches with certain certifications or licences. If you feel it is an important qualification, ask for it. Of course, this varies, depending on the kind of coaching you are looking for.
Coaching can be extremely beneficial. We are constantly going through changes and transitions, and it’s never a bad idea to have someone come along the journey with you, guiding you to your ideal end result.
If you have any questions regarding life coaching, please let me know.
I would love to hear from you what comes from your mind regarding coaching.
Take care,
AnnaJo
