What Is Life Coaching?(The Key To A Big Life)

So You Want the “Big Life”?
Getting it through coaching
Written by Gary Glasscock and Keith Bray
Whether it is in life, sports, fitness, career, relationships, health, or executive performance, more and more people are turning to personal coaches to help them achieve goals they set for themselves. Life coaches, to steal a phrase, help you “to be the best that you can be” in living your life. Each person will have their own vision as to what the Big Life looks like to them.
For many, it is finding growth within to better perform in daily life. For others, it’s a better career, a better relationship; being a better sales achiever, being a better leader…you get the picture.
Among the members of Big Life social networking site, you will find a great number of coaches, and most likely the right coach for you…to be “all that YOU can be” Take the time to look at the “Tree of Life” and explore the information provided by Big Life member coaches.
What a Coach is Not
Coaches, simply put, are not therapists, psychologists, councilors, psychiatrists or other forms of healers. Coaches coach the talents you have; they don’t “fix” you.
Many coaches have qualifications in areas other than coaching, but the focus here is strictly on coaching. Coaches are not a homogenous group; there is no one size fits all, nor processes that every coach uses. Some coaches prefer to work one on one, with groups, face-to-face, or by use of the telephone, Skype, or a combination of the exploding communications technologies available. You may, in a group coaching program, experience the use of webinar technology where the coach gives a presentation that is visible on your screen as well.
What Coaches Are
A Coach can be more closely related to a guide than any of the above mentioned professionals. The goal for the coach is to work WITH you to help you achieve the results you desire, whether it be a personal or career topic.
You will find coaches in many different topics. Some specialize in helping people with relationships, others help people to live balanced, healthy lives, while still others even go so far as to help people get rid of long-held guilt. You will also find coaches that assist people in removing addictions from their lives.
In the end, you can most likely find a personal coach that specializes in whatever area of your life you wish to improve.
Most importantly, coaches are there to listen to you, hear what your saying, and help you set goals you want to achieve. Then through their coaching tools, they will coach you from present moment to the achievement of YOUR goals. The client is the focus; the client is king/queen!!
Pretty straightforward in concept, and very effective in practice, but just understand that it’s not all easy, there will be work required on your part to make it a win-win relationship.
Most coaches have formal coaching training and are certified or in process. To gain certification, most coaches not only have had training but have practiced under the direction of an experienced and certified coach in “lab” situations. Most will provide you with a Code of Ethics that they adhere to, and most will contract with you to spell out things like coach/client confidentiality.
Defining Your Big Life
Generally, coaches will provide you with an introductory experience that will allow you to understand their methodology, but most importantly, to make sure “the Fit” appears right. Honesty and trust are key factors to the client achieving THEIR BIG LIFE.
Once a coach/client contract is signed, the coach will use assessment tools in early sessions to arrive at where the client is now, providing a base line to measure against. Through a series of questions and tools, the coach will guide the client to setting clearly defined goals and expected outcomes.
The client, once a Big Life is clearly defined, will agree to a plan to reach their goals. The coach will lead and guide the clien, and bring the clients internal strengths to the forefront. It is incumbent on the client to do the work they agree must be done to achieve their “Big Life”. In this respect, the client has control over the question “How Long?”
YOU define your Big Life, you coach works with your strengths to help you get there.
Financial
As per other professions, coaches have a fee schedule. Before you go forward with your coach, make sure you clearly understand the financial particulars like payment methods and terms, missed appointments, and other particulars just as you would with any other professional service provider you do business with.
In looking at fees, remember coaching is an investment in YOU. Are YOU Worthy and DESERVING of a Big Life, a happier you? The answer is, Yes you are!
While price should not be a key factor, it’s understandable that sometimes it does play a role in your determination of what services to buy. There are deals to be found out there, and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, just remember the old saying that “You get what you pay for.” If you feel the need, the coach you are thinking of working with should at least be able to give you testimonials and possibly even means of contacting their past clients as reference.
In the end, you are making a healthy and courageous choice to work with an expert to be “all that you can be”. You are worthy of the investment.
The Session
Understand right up front what type of coaching sessions you want, and what the coach offers. There is no right way; you determine what is right for you depending on what outcomes you want.
As noted earlier, sessions can range from one-on-one, to group, to telephone and other established delivery methods. Your needs and your comfort zone will determine which method you seek out.
Standard coaching sessions normally run 50-minutes. Some coaches even offer Lightning Sessions, which normally run 10 or 15 minutes, and are generally used by the client to gain a clearer perspective of a pressing situation.
Each session has an objective, and the client may well get homework. Most coaches keep session notes so that progress and roadblocks can be identified. These notes are held confidential and enjoy the same client confidentiality privileges as other professions.
Within a session, you may have a moment of clarity that causes you to revise your goals. That’s OK, they are your goals and you may alter them at any time. However, beware changing them quite often as this is actually an indication of lack of self-direction. Your coach will work with you to help you with this; however, you must be willing to put in the needed effort to make the changes you are seeking.
During a session the coach is there to listen to YOU, not lecture. A coach will direct through questions and will share experiences when asked to do so by the client. The session belongs to the client.
So I Have My Big Life
Most coaches will share in your victory. They will support you all through the difficult process of change. They will remind you of where you came from, and give you maintenance tools to help you maintain you’re new BIG LIFE.
They will be available for tune-ups or check-ins to help you stay with the new life you have created, and will work with you from this solid platform if an even BIGGER LIFE is desired. If this requires a coach to work with you in a new area they are not qualified for, they will refer you to coaches they know who have the expertise in helping you find a revised BIGGER LIFE.
Hopefully this article gives you, in a simple format, a better understanding of the profession of Life Coaching, and also gives you reasonable expectations.
As has been proven over and over by high performing people, there is no substitution for great coaching. Want a BIG Life; get a coach, YOUR WORTH IT!
About the Authors
Gary Glasscock, CLC, MSLC , is an experienced Life Coach practicing in Kentucky. His area of expertise focused on life transformation using the universal spiritual laws.. Gary is a member of the Certified Coaches Alliance and Big Life.ws. Gary can be contacted through his web site at www.manifestinglife.com. .
Keith Bray, BA, is an experienced Life Coach and business leader practicing in Ontario. His area of expertise is life transformation with an intimate knowledge of addiction issues. Keith is a member of the Certified Coaching Alliance and Big Life.ws and can be found through www.hopeserenity.ca.