An Introduction to Life Coaching

 

To make any changes in your life you must first acknowledge that something needs to change. This realization might come about after experiencing difficulties in one, or commonly, more areas of your life. These might include:-

Self esteem and confidence, Relationships, Career, Work/life balance, Health, Parenting, Stress, Bad habits (smoking, excessive drinking), Exercise and nutrition, Debt and finances, Weight loss, Anxiety, depression and panic attacks.

It is however important to acknowledge that although many of these factors impact on our life situation, truly they are just symptoms. It is our core beliefs that shape our life experience; those things that we believe and think about ourselves, others and the world at large.

Exploring your core beliefs begins to raise self awareness and acts as the catalyst for change.

What is life coaching?

Life coaching is a very positive and effective practice which helps people make significant and meaningful (i.e. ones which will last) changes in their lives.

Although it is important to accept and acknowledge your past, indeed it has brought you to the point you are at now, life coaching deals with the present moment and shaping your future, rather than focusing on your past.

The role of a life coach is to help you to assess your life situation, as it is now, look at what you want to achieve in your life and then help you decide how you can best achieve that.

A life coach guides, motivates, assures, prompts and encourages but never tells you what to do. Through active listening, good communication, questioning, interpretation and evaluation a check the Life coach. Resume he will help you and suggest tools and techniques to move you towards your stated outcomes. You however set the pace and ultimately make the changes and achieve your desired goals.

Why is life coaching different from therapy?

Life coaching is often confused with therapy.

As stated above, life coaching deals with the now and positively moving forwards in shaping your future. Therapy often focuses on past events and processing through these.

Coaching is based on an equal partnership where the client and coach work together to achieve agreed outcomes.

Therapy takes on the form of a patient/therapist relationship which usually follows a specific therapy model.

If you are unsure, coaches usually always offer an initial consultation (often free of charge) to enable you to discuss your current situation and whether coaching is right for you. This obviously also allows you the opportunity to talk to the coach and decide whether he or she is the right coach for you.

What are the benefits of life coaching?

Life coaching raises yourself awareness and connects you with your true self, that which is your highest good. Although people often experience feelings of overwhelm during coaching, which is a natural part of the process of change, looking at yourself and your life in a more objective way enables you to see clearly what you would like to work towards and achieve.

Coaching is an exploration of self and so often reveals new interests, passions and different paths to follow.

A positive change in one area of your life will naturally impact on other areas of your life. By addressing your core beliefs it is possible to effect changes in many areas of your life simultaneously.

New ways of being extend beyond yourself and impact on your family, friends and those you come into contact with.

Coaching encourages you to remove boundaries and limitations you might have placed upon yourself. This can result in you becoming more creative, proactive, and motivated to succeed.

Ultimately coaching is about restoring your natural balance and helping you to live a healthier, happier and more fulfilled life.