Life Coaching

Life Coaching

Define your purpose, take action and achieve your goals

Life coaches near you

Life Coaching Online

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How can life coaching nourish you?

A life coach is trained to help you define your goals and priorities, and empower you to overcome the obstacles[1] that have been keeping you from living at your full potential. Life coaching hinges on the idea that a person already has the qualities they need for success.[2] By asking the right questions and providing creative strategies for solving persistent behavioural problems, a coach can help their client harness their innate strengths and abilities.

Life coaching is not a regulated modality, and the quality of training available varies greatly,[3] so it is worth checking if the coach you wish to hire is registered with the International Coach Federation.[4] Asking people you know for recommendations[5] is a good step, but check whether they get a payment or discount for clients they refer to the coach. Look for independent reviews of the coach you’re thinking about hiring, and ask them for references from previous clients.[6]

Benefits of life coaching

Life coaching can help you evaluate what is important to you, as well as discover your strengths and learn how to build on them.[7] Coaching can help you conquer procrastination, empower you to take meaningful action, and teach you to manage your time[8] effectively. Another major benefit is that a life coach will hold you accountable to the commitments you’ve made in working towards your goals.

The results of an exploratory study suggest life coaching may be an effective way of applying positive psychology to improve quality of life and the ability to attain goals.[9]

Research suggests life coaching may have positive effects on work/life balance[10] by revealing and addressing the underlying reasons for difficulties in this area. Life coaching has also been described as a “well-established” path towards work-related stress management.[11] It has been reported that coaching which relies on evidence-based techniques may significantly reduce depression and build resilience[12] among high-school students. 

Most life coaches have a good understanding of subjects related to personal and professional wellbeing, ranging from ways to relieve stress and coping with confidence issues, to conflict resolution to business development.[13] However, if your concerns are beyond the scope of their training and expertise, they will recommend a specialised professional, and there are formal guidelines about referring a client to a psychologist[14] or other mental health practitioner.

Life coaching may assist in relieving symptoms related to:

Alcohol and drug addiction Anxiety Brain fog and clarity Bullying Circulation and cardiovascular conditions Communication and self-expression Concentration, focus and problem solving Confidence and self-esteem Conflict resolution Depression Fears and phobias Grief, bereavement and loss Indecision Love and Relationships Mental health Sadness Stress and tension Show all

What to expect from a life coaching session 

Finding a coach with whom you have good rapport is essential, so many coaches will offer an initial ‘discovery session’ for free or at a discounted rate. During the first session, they will ask you about what you hope to achieve[15] and what areas of chronic difficulty you might be experiencing, such as procrastination, low self-esteem, or uncertainty about what you want out of life. Life coaching is often conducted face-to-face, but many coaches also work via online conferencing such as Skype or may offer phone-based coaching.[16]

Although life coaches apply many different techniques and approaches, the general process is to define a clear, specific goal and then empower you to achieve it. If you have trouble even figuring out what you want, your practitioner can use strategies such as a profiling questionnaire[17] which will enable you to identify values and priorities that can give your life greater meaning.

They will then work with you to map out a path from where you are to where you want to be, and structure the journey as a series of achievable steps.[18] You will usually need to agree on a time frame for completing each step, and your practitioner will check in with you to ensure you are meeting your deadlines.

Sometimes it only takes a few coaching sessions to help you find the clarity you need[19] and define a suitable direction for navigating to your goals. In general, however, you can expect a coaching engagement to last several months while your practitioner supports you in establishing new habits and working through limiting mental patterns.[20] Completing your action steps will boost your self-confidence and inspire you to continue making progress towards success.

Don’t hesitate to speak with your coach if you have trouble hitting the targets that you’ve agreed on. Your coach will provide you with support and equip you with the creative strategies you need[21] to discover new ways of solving problems, keeping you on the path to success.

References

  1. Home | Experience Coaching
  2. ICF, the Gold Standard in Coaching | Read About ICF.
  3. Anyone can be a life coach, so is it time to ask: who is really coaching you? | smh.com.au
  4. Credentialed Coach Finder | International Coach Federation Australasia
  5. Life Coaching Regulations | superprof.com.au 
  6. ICF Coach Directories | ICF Australasia Charter Chapter
  7. 30 Proven Benefits of Life Coaching & Mentoring | positivepsychology.com 
  8. Life Coaching In The Digital Age | forbes.com
  9. The impact of life coaching on goal attainment, metacognition and mental health | Social Behavior and Personality
  10. Work-Life Balance: How Life Coaching Can Help | Business Information Review
  11. Work-related stress, work/life balance and personal life coaching | British Journal of Community Nursing
  12. Evidence-based life coaching for senior high school students | International Coaching Psychology Review
  13. What is a life coach? | CNBC make it
  14. New ICF Resource Helps Coaches Understand When and How to Refer Clients to Therapy | International Coach Federation
  15. What happens in a typical coaching program? | selectcounsellors.com
  16. Life coaching | choice.com.au 
  17. Life coaching | totalbalance.com.au
  18. How Does Life Coaching Work? | noomii.com
  19. What can you expect? | authenticempowerment.com.au
  20. How Many Coaching Sessions Do I Need? | The Un-Self-Help Blog | noomii.com
  21. What is life coaching? | lifecoachingmelbourne.com.au

Frequently asked questions

Life coaching is a goal-oriented practice that focuses on helping individuals identify and achieve their objectives. Unlike therapy or counseling, which may delve into past traumas, coaching emphasizes the present and future, aiming to empower clients with actionable strategies for personal and professional growth.

In a life coaching session, the coach works collaboratively with clients to define goals, identify obstacles, and create a plan for success. The coach employs questioning techniques and provides support to help clients tap into their existing strengths and capabilities.

Life coaching is not a regulated profession, so qualifications can vary. To ensure your coach is reputable, look for certifications from reputable organizations, such as the International Coach Federation (ICF). The ICF sets high standards for coaching ethics and competency.

Life coaching is suitable for anyone seeking personal or professional development. Whether you're facing challenges or simply want to enhance certain areas of your life, a life coach can provide guidance, support, and motivation to help you achieve your goals.

When selecting a life coach, consider factors such as their certifications, coaching approach, and expertise in areas relevant to your goals. Seek recommendations, read reviews, and ask for references to ensure the coach's style aligns with your needs and preferences.

Life coaching is versatile and can benefit individuals, businesses, and teams alike. Many coaches offer specialized services for corporate settings, leadership development, and team building. The principles of coaching can be applied to various contexts to foster growth and success.
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