Unleash Your Passion for People
Unleash Your Passion for People
What is Life Coaching?
What does a Life Coach do?
"What is Life Coaching? What Does a Life Coach Do?"
These are commonly asked questions that we set out to answer below.
We'll also offer brief explanations as to how life coaching differs from other more commonly known disciplines such as counselling and mentoring.
After reading this, you may wish to find out more about how to become a life coach. Or you may want to read all about life coaching offline, in which case we offer two complimentary 30-page life coaching ebooks that you can request to download.
Pressed for time?
Watch this 16 second summary video!
an emerging and exciting profession
Life coaching is a relatively new concept, having risen to popularity in the late ‘90s and the early years of this century, thanks to the many celebrities who credited their success to having hired life coaches.
Of course, although the term ‘life coaching’ is relatively new, the idea of helping others to appreciate their strengths and overcome obstacles to live to their full potential has been around for a very long time.
However, it is only recently that life coaching has become a mainstream career for people who are passionate about people.
Today, in the US at least, this emerging profession has become a burgeoning $1bn industry and it is set for explosive growth elsewhere in the world including in Africa.
at the core of life coaching
At the core of life coaching is the belief that every person has the capability to be, do and have anything he or she desires.
We are all unique individuals but we share one very powerful attribute ...
...the ability to create our own reality through our thoughts, intentions, beliefs and actions.
solution focused personal development
So, what is life coaching exactly?
It's a solution focused approach to personal development aimed at helping people make very positive and lasting changes in their lives.
People, or 'clients', are encouraged to realise their true potential by following a process that will uncover and eliminate obstructive thinking and behavioural patterns in their lives.
The life coach facilitates this change using tried and trusted tools and techniques to empower their clients, in a caring, supportive and inspiring environment.
A life coach is there, not to advise, but to guide and inspire his or her client to bring about a clearer understanding of their aspirations, goals and life purpose and to effect the necessary changes in their current and future behaviour to ensure the realisation of those goals and aspirations.
Human
nature being what it is ... with
the motivation, support and caring that a good life coach can provide,
most people are capable of achieving far more and leading more
fulfilling lives than they would if left to their own devices!
life coaching is different!
To answer the question 'What is Life Coaching' it may be helpful to explain how it contrasts with other disciplines that, may, on the face of it, seem similar, but are actually very different
LIFE COACHING VS COUNSELLING & THERAPY
COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY
Interventions are aimed at helping
people overcome past traumas and events that require venting, coming to terms with, and healing, before the
future can be faced with confidence.
LIFE COACHING
Aimed at functioning, mentally well people who want to
achieve more from their lives by accepting that the present is what it
is and that the past does not have to dictate the future.
LIFE COACHING VS MENTORING
MENTORING
A process in which people who are wiser and more experienced in a specific field, or area of life, look to impart
their knowledge and advice to younger people or apprentices who want to be guided to advance in that field or area.
LIFE COACHING
Life
coaches do not look to share their experience, give advice or offer
solutions. They look to use their training to help their clients come to
realisations about themselves and to embrace their own inner power and
capability to achieve their goals and dreams.
LIFE COACHING VS MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKING
MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKING
A one off intervention where a person looks to motivate and inspire an audience of many in the hope that this may provide food for thought to encourage action to change. There is no contract or follow up.
LIFE COACHING
A process that can involve several sessions working intimately with an individual, to inspire and motivate transformational change. There is usually a contract and extensive personal interaction and follow up.
LIFE COACHING VS CONSULTING
CONSULTING
A process by which experts with specialist knowledge and skills in a specific area or field will
design and/or execute solutions to problems or challenges faced by their clients.
LIFE COACHING
Life
coaches know that their clients are the only true experts when it comes
to their own lives. Life coaches will work with their clients to help
them design and execute their own solutions to their problems and
challenges. They are thus facilitators of personal transformative change.
what is life coaching?
An alternative perspective
There's an alternative, perhaps more compelling way, to answer the questions:
What is life coaching? and What does a life coach do?
Here follows a beautiful piece that answers these questions in a very different way.
It will suit some people more than others.
Why not see if it resonates with you?
Welcome to Life Coaching ... the New Insights way!
Just Imagine ...
A relationship where the total focus is on you, on what you want in your life, and on what will help you achieve it.
Just Imagine ...
Someone listening, not only to your words, but also to what's behind them; someone who even listens to the spaces between your words; someone in tune with the nuances of your voice, your emotion, and your energy - who is intent on receiving everything you communicate; someone who listens to the very best in you, even when you can't hear it in yourself.
Just Imagine ...
Someone who will hold you accountable and keep you moving forward toward your dreams and goals.
Just Imagine ...
A relationship with someone who is totally curious about your dreams and aspirations, what makes you tick, what you value, what you are most passionate about in your life - a person who will help you clarify your goals and provide the tools for action and learning that lead to the results you want.
Just Imagine ...
A relationship with a person who is sometimes even more committed to what you want in your life than you are.
Just Imagine ...
What it would be like if someone knew your values and life purpose and was holding you true to them; someone who would hold the flag at the top of the hill, encouraging you to press on towards it; someone who is with you to celebrate your victories and help you learn from your setbacks.
Just Imagine ...
A relationship with someone who will absolutely tell you the truth - the truth about where you are strong, and where you sell yourself short; someone who knows you can handle the truth and knows that's what you really want; someone who sees how big you can be and constantly holds that big picture for you - even when you can't hold it for yourself.
Just Imagine ...
A relationship where you finally break free of those self-limiting conversations you’ve been having over the years - where the voices of sabotage are simply noticed for what they are and where the really powerful part of you is always encouraged.
Just Imagine ...
Someone who listens to you without judgement and allows you to show emotion; someone who accepts you without analysing you.
Just Imagine ...
You get to talk to this person every week, after you've had some great
successes or after you've just made a mess of things. This is the place
you visit regularly and consistently... to consolidate, to integrate,
and to push on to bigger and better things.
LiFE COACHING ARTICLES YOU MAY FIND USEFUL
We have selected four articles from our Blog/Podcast, New Insights On Life that we feel may help further your understanding and appreciation when it comes to the questions, what is life coaching and what do life coaches do?
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