Life Coaching - Is it worth it?

[Guy665]

Hi all,

I have a quick question about life-coaching and would appreciate any comments?

Basically 2007 has been a good year however I still have a long way to go and still have goals/ambitions that I am absolutely determined to achieve.

I am considering in 2008 getting a life coach to see if it can help me reach goals quicker and more effectively.

Has anyone used one before and if so would you recommend one? I know that there will be a cost attached to it however I am prepared to pay if the value is there to be had...

Any comments would be appreciated...

[Spiritual]

The question you have to ask yourself is, would I listen to a life coach and do something with their tips/advice?

You can invest all the money you have in training and coaching, but if you aren't willing to use the methods, it's mostly money wasted.

Me personally, I've been tempted to go to coaches before, hoping to find something that would bring me whatever I so desired. But my gut and self-knowledge told me it would not be for me. When I would go to a coach I would probably just start discussing with him/her and just experience the difference in attitudes and worldviews.

So again, you have to find out whether or not you really believe that a coach can help you. And if you're not sure, just do a test run for one time, costs not to much and you know immediately whether this is something for you or not.

[consciousnessrising]

Originally Posted by Guy665

Hi all,

I have a quick question about life-coaching and would appreciate any comments?

Basically 2007 has been a good year however I still have a long way to go and still have goals/ambitions that I am absolutely determined to achieve.

I am considering in 2008 getting a life coach to see if it can help me reach goals quicker and more effectively.

Has anyone used one before and if so would you recommend one? I know that there will be a cost attached to it however I am prepared to pay if the value is there to be had...

Any comments would be appreciated...

Hello Guy665,

A good life coach will improve your life in ways you can't even imagine.
Part of the reason coaching is expensive is because it is human nature to appreciate something more when you are invested in it. If you pay enough for it you will put a lot more effort into achieving results!
Make sure you find a coach who has experience in working with your goals.

[Catlover]

Coaching can be very helpful if you can find a good match between your styles. I had a coach for awhile but ultimately found that her style and approach to things was vastly different than mine in many ways. She was in favor of "baby steps" whereas I lose motivation or can't even get started unless I'm doing something big with major results. She was very into "self care," which at times I thought was kind of self-indulgent and sometimes an avoidance tactic.

One way to check out a potential coach is to research what school or program he/she attended. Most likely, he/she will base their practice on the principles espoused by that program. Check out the program to see if those principles resonate with you. If, for example, like me you are not into "baby steps" but the program is, perhaps you need to keep searching.

Also, I think it is important to find someone who has been or is in a similar life situation to yours and has successfully dealt with it. For example, I have a school age child, whereas my coach's child was grown and had her own children. I think my coach had forgotten how to connect with the feelings of parenthood. Also, she had not worked recently (or maybe ever) full-time in the corporate world. There were things I wanted to talk about in these two worlds that she was just completely clueless about.

Good luck in your search.

[Gordon]

Originally Posted by Catlover

Coaching can be very helpful if you can find a good match between your styles. I had a coach for awhile but ultimately found that her style and approach to things was vastly different than mine in many ways. She was in favor of "baby steps" whereas I lose motivation or can't even get started unless I'm doing something big with major results. She was very into "self care," which at times I thought was kind of self-indulgent and sometimes an avoidance tactic.

One way to check out a potential coach is to research what school or program he/she attended. Most likely, he/she will base their practice on the principles espoused by that program. Check out the program to see if those principles resonate with you. If, for example, like me you are not into "baby steps" but the program is, perhaps you need to keep searching.

Also, I think it is important to find someone who has been or is in a similar life situation to yours and has successfully dealt with it. For example, I have a school age child, whereas my coach's child was grown and had her own children. I think my coach had forgotten how to connect with the feelings of parenthood. Also, she had not worked recently (or maybe ever) full-time in the corporate world. There were things I wanted to talk about in these two worlds that she was just completely clueless about.

Good luck in your search.

This Catlover, talks common sense!!!!


G

[justfiverules]

Catlover is indeed talking sense re doing your research beforehand.

Two comments about the coach with a baby steps / self care approach and CL's desire for big goal action.

1- There are some coaching schools (and this is a whole 'nother topic since coaching training is such an unregulated area) who teach their own particular coaching methodology - one that their students are expected to follow fairly closely. That can constrain and diminish the "natural coaching" style of the follower.

2- The most effective coaches I have known will follow, support and encourage as the client's path unfolds - but the coach only becomes aware of the journey's itinerary as the coaching relationship becomes more trusting over time.

And even with that increased understanding, if the client is not ready, willing or able - it's absolutely NOT the coach's "modus operandi" to guide or cajole the client into doing what the coach "thinks best".

[Tim Brownson]

Originally Posted by Catlover

Coaching can be very helpful if you can find a good match between your styles. I had a coach for awhile but ultimately found that her style and approach to things was vastly different than mine in many ways. She was in favor of "baby steps" whereas I lose motivation or can't even get started unless I'm doing something big with major results. She was very into "self care," which at times I thought was kind of self-indulgent and sometimes an avoidance tactic.

One way to check out a potential coach is to research what school or program he/she attended. Most likely, he/she will base their practice on the principles espoused by that program. Check out the program to see if those principles resonate with you. If, for example, like me you are not into "baby steps" but the program is, perhaps you need to keep searching.

Also, I think it is important to find someone who has been or is in a similar life situation to yours and has successfully dealt with it. For example, I have a school age child, whereas my coach's child was grown and had her own children. I think my coach had forgotten how to connect with the feelings of parenthood. Also, she had not worked recently (or maybe ever) full-time in the corporate world. There were things I wanted to talk about in these two worlds that she was just completely clueless about.

Good luck in your search.

Catlover I would go as so far as to say as you had a poor coach. It is a coach's job to align with the client and work to 'their' rules and values and not to tell them how it is.

A coach (if they are a good one) does not need to have had direct first hand experience of the area they are coaching on because it is their job to facilitate change and let the client find the answers from within.

In answer the the original question. Life coaching should be an investemnt in your future and is absolutely worthwhile if you get a coach that you feel comfortable working with. Go for it!