Ever used a life coach?

[Love]

Hi all.

I'm thinking about either getting a life coach or going through life coach training.

Has anyone ever done either? If so, what was your experience?

Also, I'm on a really restricted budget. Does anyone know any good (but not too expensive) coaches or training programs in the NY area? Thanks.

[C.F. Jackson]

Love,

May I ask you a question?

What are your expectations and goals you're
seeking from a life coach?


Won't Be Denied!
C.F. Jackson


Lighitng 1,000 Dreams by the Day!

[Lisa777]

I am going to start using a life coach in April I'll let you know how it goes.

[annie]

Originally Posted by Love

Hi all.

I'm thinking about either getting a life coach or going through life coach training.

Has anyone ever done either? If so, what was your experience?

Also, I'm on a really restricted budget. Does anyone know any good (but not too expensive) coaches or training programs in the NY area? Thanks.

Hi. Yes, I've used several and I am one (but possibly too expensive..."really restricted budget") but I'll give you a few tips on what I know.

1. Coaching schools range between $1500 - $10,000. I looked into quite a few and decided to go with Coach Training Alliance. No regrets there. $2400 for a 6 month course....learned a ton and thought it was worth it. I would DEFINITELY research it before you jump into anything as far as training. Google lots of coaches, see what they're charging and email them and ask them where they went to school. I know there are LOTS of great training programs. I'd also check into ICF (International Coaching Federation) to see what training programs are "accredited"....a very, very loose term since the industry is so new and not really regulated too much yet.

2. You get what you pay for (not always, but generally). In the early days, I used coaches that were under $50/hour and they didn't have the experience of the confidence to help me get what I needed. They were also very new and I'm sure I was their guinea pig. I think there are some good coaches that work for under $80 an hour, but I don't personally know any.

3. There are life coaches that "apprentice". I actually have 2 at the moment. The only tip I can give you there is to take a look at my website...if that type of Life Coaching appeals to you (LifeVision), then PM/email me and you'll get a killer deal working with an apprentice! (that knows what she's doing!)

4. Go for it! It's the next step in getting from where you are to where you want to be.

annie

[llong]

I haven't hired anyone specifically, but I have had formal meetings with friends where we chat about where I'm at with each of my goals.

Honestly, I think it was incredibly useful, and I'd be shocked that hiring someone would be much more effective, save for the fact that you paid him or her money.

[judge45]

The best life coach and the cheapest was this jerk I found one morning.

He seemed a little crazy, had the nuttiest ideas, was pretty wayward, but he really seemed the only true person who could help me and he was dirt cheap, except for his drinking problem.

I found him in the mirror, maybe you could find someone there also.

HTH

Jeff

[starlet]

I'd never use one personally, although I met with several different ones at one point in my life. It seemed to structured for my tastes, I set my own pace and its always lightening-fast, no life coach sounded like they could keep up. Plus I could not see actually coughing up the dough for one.

I found the best life coach is, well, LIFE.

[Love]

Wow, this is fantastic! I knew there had to be people with experience in this area.

May I ask you a question?
What are your expectations and goals you're
seeking from a life coach?

I don't have any real expectations. I know that I want to help urban youth succeed (outside of the classroom) and that I wanted to teach them goal-setting skills and finance. I called a life coach that had a background similar to mine and went to my college, and she suggested that it might be wise to use a coach (see what's it's like from the other side) or go to a program.
Ultimately, what I would like is further skills in the coaching area (which could be done by being mentored myself or going to a program) ... and maybe a nice certification to prove to someone else that I'm capable (program only).

That sounds fabulous Lisa, I'm sure it'll go well!

Thanks Annie for all that detailed information. I had heard of coach training alliance--I'm glad to hear that you had a good experience with them. And I was also wondering whether apprentices were out there, so I'm glad to hear that you have one! I'll definitely look at your site, thanks.

Hi, Llong, I think it would be really cool to meet with friends and talk about goals. At the moment, I don't have any friends that are interested in personal development, lol! This is a probably an area I should work on. Where are all the people my age hiding?

The best life coach and the cheapest was this jerk I found one morning.

He seemed a little crazy, had the nuttiest ideas, was pretty wayward, but he really seemed the only true person who could help me and he was dirt cheap, except for his drinking problem.

I found him in the mirror, maybe you could find someone there also.

LOL!

I agree Starlet, Life is fantastic coach. But one tough cookie!

Thanks everyone for your responses! I'm glad to hear that coaches are legit and that the programs are too. I'll feel more confident looking into them now.

Cheers!

[Natasha]

If you want to help urban youth I would look in to Sockial Work instead. (That is what I would want to do, if I weren't working on my own business.)

Most urban youth could never afford a life coach, and if you are working with them for free or cheap, then that is Social Wrok anyways.

[Sunnybayes]

You are looking for a leader. Learn to lead yourself. That's what I'm trying to do. I'm trying to define my life purpose and the goals that I want to achieve, and then I'm going to make a system, kinda like Steve's Action Outline, that I can use so that I can systematically break down those life goals into actions consistently and over the long term.

[C.F. Jackson]

Love may ask another question or two?

My next question: What have you started to do to achieve your
goal to establish your purpose of assisting urban youth?

Also, should you say yes, are you taking action each day?

I like to suggest that you study Think & Grow Rich by
Napoleon Hill. For those I mentor, I direct for them to study
this book. It's key for people to have a foundation within when
they begin to become mentored so that they have a foundation.
This book is a great foundation to move further within you.

I hope you've found some value in what I've shared.

Continue to make this the best day ever!

Go For It!
C.F. Jackson
Won't Be Denied!

Lighting 1,000 Dreams Worldwide!

[Love]

I love that everyone is so helpful here.

And I agree, one should always have a firm command of one’s self. That’s why I work so hard on becoming a better me and facing my own fears. And I think a helpful way to do that would be with a coach. I hope that coaching gives you that extra umph, or that extra clarity you need to what you need to do.

I also think that it’s true that most urban youth could never afford a life coach. The position I envision in my mind is one where I am hired by a school or after-school program to deliver a supplemental program. I figure that a school or after-school with forward-minded direction could afford to pay something. Or even a school without such direction, when given all the good info about coaching. Just think of all the money that goes into remedial activities. Why not put that into proactive activities?

As for what I’ve done… First, I’m working on improving my own self. Knocking down my own fears. I’m doing that by reading a lot of PD books and putting what I chose to into action.
I followed a guidance counselor to an urban high school and sat in on advisory classes.
I’ve started writing about some of the topics I’d like to address with the youth—but just for me.
I searched for positions that may lend themselves to developing some skill in this area.
I called and had an informational interview with a life coach.
I’m currently researching coaching and coaching groups.
I’m building up a skill (Sat coaching) so that I can earn money as I work towards this goal.
I plan on calling a principal I know, and asking what it would take to hire someone for a position like this.

That’s the plan so far. I do think it is important to continually supply the force to accomplish one’s goals, though. That’s how they get done.

Thanks for the kindness everyone! I am so going to get this done

[marymary]

Hi Love,

It seems like we are on the same path here...I too am working on my own journey with a goal of doing more for pre teens and teens in middle to low income situations.

Your idea of SAT coaching is wonderful. This is such a valuable skill and it leads right into the coaching....I do both SAT and private high school entrance exam prep classes and find that a lot of that is coaching and not just the academics.

Also, it leads right into coaching, which is what you want to ultimately do...they really go hand in hand.

I still teach full time, and love it...but I want to turn this little business of mine into my full time business and add coaching to the program.
Annie gave me a good recommendation for a program...and I am going to start this summer.

I charge a lot less for the test prep than my comptetion does right now, because so many kids are priced right out of being able to afford test prep. And yet, I make a really good second income, my classes are always full and I absolutely love doing it....

Your idea of having a school pay for a program or even maybe Boys and Girls Clubs or something. is great...and what you are doing to get going is perfect.
There is also grant money available for programs like this...maybe the guidance counselor can direct you to some...

Also, most of the people who are doing it solely for the money, are located in very high end neighborhoods...leaving the urban and lower income kids completely out of the loop...

Best of luck to you....I know you will do it...there is a niche for this, and a great need for exactly this work....and you sound perfect for it.

Mary

[AndrewJ]

Here's a good article about life coaches: Why you need a life coach
Why you need a life coach

Andrew

[C.F. Jackson]

Love,

Look into learning and volunteering via online
at icouldbe.org.

I believe this will provide your with a great
resource and insight. Register with them and
mentor some of the youth and check out their
program. Why start from scratch?

Should they ask how your learned about the
program, let them know Mentor Purpose directed
you.

Won't Be Denied!

C.F. Jackson

Lighting 1,000 Dreams Worldwide!

[Carl Rogers]

Originally Posted by Love

I also think that it’s true that most urban youth could never afford a life coach. The position I envision in my mind is one where I am hired by a school or after-school program to deliver a supplemental program. I figure that a school or after-school with forward-minded direction could afford to pay something. Or even a school without such direction, when given all the good info about coaching. Just think of all the money that goes into remedial activities. Why not put that into proactive activities?

Hello,

I am a MA Community Counseling student, and I can tell you that becoming a school counselor would allow you to provide primary and secondary prevention activities with at-risk youth. Working in a school setting is one of the best ways to get direct contact with these vulnerable youth. School counseling programs are typically 2 years long, but well worth the time and money. The MA school counseling program assoicated with my University costs about $25k for the tuition and books, so not too bad for a MA! I attend the University of Northern Colorado.

Personally, I am in favor of counseling v. coaching, primarily because counselors get more education and experiential learning opportunities (700 hour internship requirement for my degree). Further, counselors are regulated by state laws and counseling association ethics (all but two states, California and Nevada, have licensure statues in place; these two states are in the process of creating LPC legislation). I think life coaching has a place, but I think that counselors can help in more areas of life than life coaches. Mental health, addiction, lifespan development, personality development, and so forth are all areas we are trained in. And not all problems are what they appear to be.

Just my two cents.