Why use a life coach?

[Cron]

It seems like a lot of personal development advice is common sense or that it can easily be read on one's own.

It seems the value in hiring a "life coach" is that you have someone to be accountable to and cheer you on.

If that is what you need to get out of a rut that you haven't been able to get out of on your own power......so be it, it is better than being stuck in a rut.

Am I missing anything else about why a person would want to consult with and pay the considerable fees for a life coach?

I am playing devil's advocate here because I am considering seeing one.

[Gene]

Originally Posted by Cron

It seems like a lot of personal development advice is common sense or that it can easily be read on one's own.

It seems the value in hiring a "life coach" is that you have someone to be accountable to and cheer you on.

If that is what you need to get out of a rut that you haven't been able to get out of on your own power......so be it, it is better than being stuck in a rut.

Am I missing anything else about why a person would want to consult with and pay the considerable fees for a life coach?

I am playing devil's advocate here because I am considering seeing one.

I would suggest interviewing some potential life coaches and see how you feel about them. Many life coaches and counselors will do a phone interview and when it seems workable will do the work with a client over the phone with minimal and sometimes no in person contact.

No person is an island and together people can solve problems that alone would be nearly insurmountable. What do you have to loose?

[sarge1]

This is an interesting topic as in one respect using a coach to move you on is a good idea. They can be a source of motivation. I would like to share a concept about coaching in a world where being the best,fastest and number one is somthing heavily promoted. That is in race true winners are those who improve their own personal best but may still come last. Coaching is about enabling a self realisation of doing something better. Not everyone in life can be number one or a winner but I do think we can all improve and be better citizens.

[Cron]

Originally Posted by Gene

I would suggest interviewing some potential life coaches and see how you feel about them. Many life coaches and counselors will do a phone interview and when it seems workable will do the work with a client over the phone with minimal and sometimes no in person contact.

I found one or two sites for coaching in my area that heavily encouraged phone and email contact as a primary means of communication.

That did not impress me.

Many of these people do not have a formal education in what they are doing ( ie a degree in psychology or something ), they charge fees at a similar level to such degreed professionals, and they don't have much to tell that can not be read in a book, hear on a cd ( even their own ) etc.

I don't mean this to be rude, I am just analyzing the field before I decide to step into it and walk across.

Taking away those things, I ask myself "what will I be paying for?". The answer I have left is for someone to rant to and someone to inspire me.

Other people may be different, but to me those things entail face to face contact. If face to face contact isn't there and these people do not have content to offer beyond books/cds, then I there really isn't anything left to offer that I can't get from a book if face-to-face contact is taken away.

No person is an island and together people can solve problems that alone would be nearly insurmountable. What do you have to loose?

My pride in having solved my problems myself. The strength and skills I would have gained in trying to solve my problems myself. My hard earned money. Some of the people I looked at charge over $100 an hour.

I still think it is possible for the price and the other sacrifices would be worth it, if I get value and results.

I am still trying to decide if that is the case.

[Tuumble]

A good life coach does not give advice but asks questions that helps direct you towards your own answers.

No-one knows you as well as you and you are more likely to act on goals / ideas if they are your own.

[Phil Parkinson]

I think a common problem with 99% if individuals is that they are just lazy... a life coach can provide a kick up the arse to those people...

Problem is... there is a MASSIVE difference between what constitutes a good life coach and a bad life coach.

x

[DrRitcheson]

Dear Cron,

I sympathise with your response to the lay of the coaching land, so to speak. The lack of any reliable and meaningful qualifications or accreditation makes the criteria on which you base your selection of a coach all the more difficult to determine. The lack of regulation, whilst not uniformly a bad thing, does open up the field to charlatans or at the least, very limited people, who lack the background and professional training to be of any real help, let alone, justifiably to command such salaries!

What's the sort of input/support/advice/counsel you are seeking?

Warm regards

Andrew

[Gene]

Originally Posted by Cron

My pride in having solved my problems myself. The strength and skills I would have gained in trying to solve my problems myself. My hard earned money. Some of the people I looked at charge over $100 an hour.

I still think it is possible for the price and the other sacrifices would be worth it, if I get value and results.

I am still trying to decide if that is the case.

It is a commitment of resources to pay someone $100 for several hours of work. It is up to you to determine if the prospective coach or counselor is capable of giving you the assistance you desire.

I have seen PhD Psychologists who were very ineffective counselors and some with relatively modest educational achievements who were excellent counselors. I believe the same is true for coaches there are some very good coaches and some who are not sited for the work.

Perhaps there is another way for you to get useful feedback without paying if that is a barrier for you. There are many support groups for a wide variety of life issues which are helpful to many people. Without more information on the area you seek to improve it is not possible for me to make specific recommendations.

Happy Trails!

[dayflyer]

Life-Coaches today play an important role for many in a society that is becoming for fragmented and isolated. The roles that life coaches typically carry out would have, in previous generations, by preachers, teachers, elders & community leaders, family members, and friends. As our western civilization adopts a lifestyle that perpetually de-emphasizes our reliance on one another, and forces us to find other avenues to fulfill basic needs. I believe that my for example is that individuals with large, interconnected, and mainly positive support network receive excellent re-enforcement. When the support system is lacking, or becomes caustic or negative, then outside help becomes paramount. It is sad in that it is commonplace for families to be very caustic, and very unsupportive. It is this situation that almost demands these kinds of services.

[robertanthony]

Hi Cron

I have trained as a personal development practitioner here in the U.K. At the moment I am training as a life coach. I have always been interested in personal development before I even knew what the word meant. For me it has been a love of learning and believe it or not I hired a coach to see how they work. The experince has been wonderful. If you want a quick insight into the main coaching model - check out T.G.R.O.W & S.M.A.R.T. goals.