WHAT IS LIFE COACHING?
The International Coach Federation (ICF), the largest coaching credentialing organization in the world, defines coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential."
Life Coaching is focused on the future, not the past. That is one main difference between Life Coaching and therapy/counseling. Life Coaches work with you to determine your goals and dreams, as well as identify the challenges or transitions you are facing. Additionally, strengths and gifts will be uncovered. Then, together as a partnership, a plan is designed so the individual can attain those goals, make the changes they are seeking, and help restore balance to their life.
Life Coaches listen and observe their clients so they can personalize the coaching program to the individual's specific needs. Life Coaches utilize skills and positive attributes the individual already possesses to help them achieve their goals.
Main Responsibilities of a Life Coach
Promote self-awareness and discovery
Identify/define what the individual/couple wants to achieve or change
Hold the individual/couple accountable and responsible
Evoke strategies and solutions developed by the individual/couple
Provide support and encouragement
Ultimately, Life Coaches help people improve their performance and enhance the quality of their lives.
what coaching is not
A Quick Fix - Personal development and transformation takes time.
Therapy or Counseling - Coaching focuses on where you are, where you want to be and how to get there, not the past
Answers or Advice - Coaches do not provide you answers or advice. Instead, they partner with the client to brainstorm and the client decides the next steps they want to take.