A life coach isn’t a therapist. Therapists help their clients by focusing on the past, most often by revisiting painful experiences which might have led the client to develop unhelpful patterns of behaviour. Coaching isn’t about the past – coaching is all about what’s happening right now and looking ahead to the future.
A life coach isn’t a consultant either. A consultant typically draws up strategies and plans as a solution to the client’s particular problem or situation as they see it. Coaching isn’t about providing plans and strategies – a good coach will help his or her clients explore and develop their own solutions. Only you know what’s best for you, even if it doesn’t always feel like that. A coach will help you become more confident in making your own smart decisions.
A life coach isn’t like your best friend, your mother, father, sister or brother. Just like a best friend a coach will listen and support you but he or she won’t let you get stuck in a pattern of thinking or behaviour that makes you unhappy or is preventing you from achieving what you most want out of life. Your coach will never tell you what you should or shouldn’t do. Instead he or she will challenge you to think big and think smarter to find out what works for you.
A life coach is someone who will first of all focus on who you really are and what you really want out of life – and then help you develop your own plan to get from where you are now to where you really want to be.
Do I need a life coach?
Not everyone needs a life coach. And life coaching isn’t for everyone. My clients tend to have already achieved a level of success in their lives but now want to shift gear and try something new, they might want to move to the next level of success, or work on an old problem in a new way. My clients are smart and enthusiastic people who are open and committed to improving their lives – whether professionally or personally. Hiring a coach is an investment they never regret.
Coaching is particularly effective if you’re stuck in a rut, ready to make a big and bold change in your life, or want to explore your own personal development.
A coach will generally offer a variety of packages ranging from one to three weekly sessions a month, though I also know of coaches who offer four sessions a month. I also offer a “coach on call” service for people whose busy schedules don’t allow for regular appointments.
I usually encourage my clients to sign up for three weekly sessions a month for an initial period of three months but my clients can stop or change their coaching package at any time and are never locked in to a contract.
Coaches either coach in-person or on the phone for 30 to 40 minutes per session.
Do I phone the coach or does the coach phone me?
As a rule, and again all coaches differ, clients call the coach. If you’re an international client then it’s a good idea to shop around for a good deal on calls to the UK.
How much does it cost?
Coaches charge anything up to £500 a month, and I’ve seen some who charge more. I offer a variety of coaching packages ranging from £60 to £500 a month for individual clients. Rates vary for group and team coaching.
If money is an issue then some coaches do offer sliding scale payments or might even coach on a scholarship basis but I generally believe if it’s your own money you’re investing you’re more likely to be committed to making the most of the experience.
And it really is an investment. By working with a coach you can save time, money, and energy. You get to where you want to go that much quicker.
How do I pay for my coaching?
Payment for coaching is requested on the first day of the month in advance. Payments can be made electronically into my bank account or using PayPal (invoices are sent by email). I accept cheques provided they clear before the first day of the coaching month.
What if I don’t feel the coaching is working and want to stop?
My clients are free to stop coaching with me at any time and will receive a refund on any untaken coaching sessions they’ve paid for up front.
How do I find a good coach?
I know some exceptional coaches who’ve never had formal training as a coach. But as a rule, finding a coach who’s invested some of their own time and money in their own life coaching training will at least guarantee they’re committed to being a coach.
The International Coach Federation is the leading global coaching organisation dedicated to setting and maintaining standards in the coaching industry. Coaches who have received accreditation from the ICF will have received professional training from a programme specifically designed to teach coaching skills, like CoachU, and will have demonstrated proficiency in abiding by and using the ICF’s coaching competencies, and code of ethics.
You can also find a coach through referrals from friends or colleagues, or by looking on the web and taking advantage of complimentary sessions. Once you’ve found a coach you feel interested in working with, don’t be afraid to ask for references. A good coach will usually have a bundle of glowing testimonials.
"The future depends on what we do in the present"
- Mahatma Gandhi
