tips for choosing life coach

[sanjay71]

hello to everyone,

myself sanjay sharma from india. i am looking for a life coach and this area is so vast that it create confusion for me. because the people in us and other western countries regard the value of time is high so i am writing to the point to save your time.

i am looking for a coach for following purpose.

1. i wanted to know what is my true life purpose so that i can align my goal with my true life purpose.
2. i wanted to know my values so that i can align my life around my values system.
3. i wanted to know what is my natural strength and weakness.
4. i wanted to remove my limiting beliefts and wanted to install some empowering belief. can it is possible for me.
5. i wanted to know that how can i grow in all areas of my life i.e. spritual, financial, health, social, and mental, emotional.

can i am demanding too much. or this is possible. and i know that you have so much experience in the pd area it is reflecting from your posts that is why i need your advice. can you please post your opinion about it and some tips for choosing the right coach.

thanks,

sanjay sharma, india

[dannielo]

Steve has a comprehensive post on this.

[sanjay71]

i have read that post. on the basis of this post i am looking to hire the life coach.

but i require the tips so that i can choose the right coach from those people who actually hire the life coach. so that i cannot make the same mistake they have made. and if any reference than it is good for me.

thanks,

[JustinPopovic]

Hi Sanjay,

I wanted to provide some of my thoughts regarding your questions. As a coach myself and someone who has taken a lot of coaching, I think you will want to ask some of the following questions...

What life experiences and personal results has this potential coach produced in his/her life?
- I have met a number of coaches who try to be too many things to too many people and they end up trying to provide coaching on issues where they have no experience. In your free consultation with a potential coach (which, as Steve points out in his article, is a must), you can use your own judgement to determine if they have the right skill set and experience to meet your needs.

What is the personality and style of the coach?
- If you are looking for someone to stay agressive and hold you accountable for all of your major life goals, you will want to avoid a coach who takes a soft/gentle approach. Not every coach is comfortable to challenge you in an appropriate manner. At the same time, if you are sensitive and prefer a more gentle approach, then you will obviously want someone who can meet this need.

Ask the potential coach if you can speak to previous clients about their experience with the coach.
- I have always used this strategy and I can usually tell very quickly by the reaction of the client whether or not the coach is someone I would like to work with. Obviously, the coach is going to provide you with clients who were happy with their services but at least you can get a third party perspective.

I hope this helps!

Cheers,
Justin

[sanjay71]

thanks,

i really like your tips on choosing the right coach.

because you are a coach i would like to know what do you think that a person can define their purpose of life, know his values, know this natural strength and weakness and also know that how to remove the limiting beliefs and installed the empowering beliefs through coaching. and can he understand these concept in very crystal clear way.

or i am demanding too much.

i really want your opinon on this.

[JustinPopovic]

Hi Sanjay,

I don't think you are asking too much at all! In fact, I think the best coach is someone who WANTS to help you in ALL of these areas.

When I was receiving coaching, one of the first exercises we went through was defining my passions and the areas of life that were most important to me. We also focused on my natural strengths and abilities. Moving forward, my coach was able to reference these areas over and over again as we worked together.

In terms of working on your beliefs with your coach...DEFINITELY. One of the main benefits I received from my coaches were the areas of self limiting beliefs. I think it often takes someone like a coach or a mentor to help you see these beliefs in yourself.

My coaching clients experience the same thing. Because I have a different perspective of their life and attitudes, I am able to see where they are limiting themselves...often they had no idea they were doing it. So it is a great exercise because we were able to interrupt the negative thinking patterns and work on more empowering beliefs together!

Also, you should be commended for being VERY clear about what you want from a coach. CLARITY = POWER

Cheers!
Justin