12 Fantastic Ways Life Coaching Helps You!
Coaching – have you noticed that everywhere you turn these days, you bump into a coach? But what does a coach actually do? How do they help you?
I enjoy meeting new people, and one of the questions I like to ask is “what are you most excited about right now?” It offers up all kinds of interesting information!
However, one of the most common questions I get asked is “what kind of work do you do?” I’m excited to share with them that I have the best job in the world! I work with leaders, professionals, and entrepreneurs, helping them get the results they’re after. My new acquaintance graciously nods and smiles. Sometimes they are curious and ask questions. Sometimes they have a blank look suggesting they have no idea what a coach actually does.
I get it – I didn’t really know either! That’s why I set out to experience coaching first hand before taking the plunge and investing time and money into training to become a coach myself. Turns out, it wasn’t quite what I thought it was – it was better!
I value coaching so much that I continue to work with a coach myself. More on that here.
My clients come to me for a wide variety of reasons, but ultimately, it boils down to helping them bridge the gap between where they are now and where they want to be personally and/or professionally. They desire to do what they do better! It’s exciting to witness the growth and changes that take place.
Ever thought about working with a coach? Here are a dozen pretty compelling reasons to enlist the services of a coach:
1. Quicker Results
You can keep on doing what you are doing and hope for better results, or, if you are serious about getting where you want to be in your life or work, coaching is a fantastic way to speed up the process. A coach provides a framework, keeps you focused on your goals, brings to your attention patterns and ways of thinking that are working against you, and helps you break it all down into practical next steps.
The positive changes made in the process of reaching your goals often trickle down into other areas of your life and work in positive ways – that’s a big bonus!
Don’t know where to get started or what to change to get where you want to be? The coaching process naturally brings to light next steps!
2. Increased Satisfaction
Be honest. How satisfied are you with your life? Your work? Your relationships? Is your life the right mix of challenge, rest, and adventure? Are you energized by your life/work and eager to get out of bed in the morning or do you dread the day ahead and feel tired before you stumble out of bed?
Maybe you’ve been going through the motions and haven’t given your life or work any thought! If that‘s the case, now is a great time to assess your life!
But if you already know that your life or work isn’t what you want it to be, that’s a great reason to work with a coach!
3. Greater Clarity!
It’s hard to have confidence in your life and work without clarity! Where are you feeling a little fuzzy? Are you unsure of your purpose – what are you here on earth to accomplish?
Perhaps your purpose is clear, but the strategy, plan, or way forward it murky.
Have you come to a fork in the road and you don’t know which path to choose? Is it time to time to get more clear on your boundaries, personality, strengths, values or who God created you to be? Those are perfect opportunities for coaching! After all, it’s tough to boldly move forward when you are fuzzy!
Facing a daunting circumstance or problem? Coaching will shed some light on that too!
Coaching also offers the opportunity to get clear on the best career direction for you, and more!
4. Getting More Organized!
Having processes, systems, and ways of doing things makes a powerful difference when it comes to successfully accomplishing your goals…if you have that skill! Not everyone does. Some brains just don’t naturally think that way.
Or maybe you have some processes, systems, and ways of doing things, but you aren’t getting the results you were hoping for. That’s an amazing opportunity to partner with a coach who is able to help you explore new ways that take less time and are more impactful.
Many of my clients greatly appreciate the space a coaching session offers to unload all the random thoughts that have been piling up in their heads and organize them in a coherent, organized, and meaningful way. When you lead or are attempting to do something significant, there often isn’t much time for that kind of sorting through your thoughts that’s necessary. If you haven’t had a clear head in a while – it feels pretty darn good!
5. Increased Awareness!
Coaching encourages you to tune into how you are thinking and to explore whatever you are facing from new angles. It’s incredible how a simple insight propels you on a whole new trajectory!
Here’s one example from one of my own coaching sessions: I realized that I viewed my circumstances as permanent, as set in stone. And believing what I was facing was permanent – forever thing – it left me feeling discouraged and unmotivated.
The truth: my circumstances were temporary. When I was able to view my situation as temporary, it completely changed my perspective and unlocked the door for me to push through and not give up!
Becoming more aware – that’s what naturally occurs through coaching and is the precursor to powerful shifts!
6. Fresh Mindsets
Mindsets are so sneaky! You rarely realize they are at work or that they are keeping you from reaching your goals, realizing your full potential, or enjoying a fulfilling life.
What’s nifty about coaching is that the mindsets that are working against you are exposed. If you don’t spot them, your coach is sure to! Then you’re able to do something about them!
7. Energy!
Life is hard! It’s easy to get bogged down and burdened by difficult situations, having too much to do, the weight of your responsibilities, difficult people, criticism, distractions, etc., they all zap your energy. That sets off a vicious cycle where you want to check out or work longer and harder to avoid facing the hard stuff. Both approaches are draining.
When partnering with a coach, you are able create new strategies and ways of navigating life that are energizing and more balanced too!
8. More Motivation
It’s hard to get excited about your life when you aren’t where you want to be! But when you take a few baby steps and see progress – that’s motivating! When you see yourself growing, evolving, becoming more confident, and stepping into more of your potential you will be inspired to keep on going! It gives you hope that reaching your goals and dreams is possible! Watch out – there’s no stopping you!
9. An Advocate!
It’s not often talked about, but leaders frequently feel isolated and alone. That same feeling creeps up for solopreneurs and entrepreneurs – anyone out front. Knowing that you have a safe and confidential place to explore, process, and make key decisions is a game changer!
Imagine what it would be like to not have to navigate the hard stuff alone!
Not only do I invite God into our sessions, I’m praying for you outside our sessions too!
10. Greater Focus
My job as a coach is to keep you on track – to remind you of what it is you set out to do. That doesn’t mean you can’t shift directions – you can. But it will be an intentional and conscious decision to shift – not an accidental “oops, how did we get here” kind of shift.
When distractions, the unexpected, or problems show up (and they will!), together we will zero in on proactive ways to approach those situations so that they don’t derail you.
11. New Insights, Tools, & Skills!
In order to be an ICF (International Coaching Federation) Certified Coach you must be continually learning and growing and have the Continuing Coaching Education (CCE) hours to prove it. The beauty of that for you, the client being coached, is that you get to reap the benefits from all the varied training I’ve experienced! Plus, I love to learn and I am actively seeking new information, resources, and skills that will enable me to serve my clients better.
12. It’s Easy!
I know your time is valuable! That’s why I work with my clients over the phone, saving you time and allowing you to do it from the comfort of your home or office. That way it also doesn’t matter where in the world you live!
I also record my sessions with your permission so that you are able to replay them at your leisure. Many of my clients find they make new discoveries after listening to the recording. Others never listen and some listen to them years later! It’s totally up to you!
What questions do YOU have about coaching? What’s one reason you would hire a coach?
