A life coach is someone who is professionally trained to help others realize their lives’ potentials and achieve their goals. If you’re toying with the idea of treading this noble career path, your intention is definitely in the right place. Not only can it be a lucrative niche, but it’s also a very fulfilling one as you get to touch the lives of others.

Naturally, you may have questions swirling in your mind right about now such as: Are you life coach material? What is life like as a life coach? How do I make the transition from my old job? What are the upsides and downsides of life coaching? Well, you’ve come to the right place for answers as we’ll be tackling these and many other concerns you might have. Take a look:

Are You Right for Life Coaching?

The most pressing question among those with an interest in the field often revolves around what qualities make up a good life coach. We’ll get to that in a moment, but in the meantime let’s quickly delve into why anyone would fancy a life coach career:

  • A Penchant for Helping Those in Need
    Humanity is fueled by emotions, one of the most powerful ones being compassion and the desire to put a smile on other peoples’ faces. Many who opt for such a career are individuals who like to see others succeed. People who want to be that ray of light in the darkness of someone else’s life. Such a career allows these people to help others wiggle out a tight spot or break a bad habit and stay true to their proper course of life. Like a moth to a flame, life coaching appeals to those who take great pleasure in providing a helping hand and a supportive shoulder to lean on.
  • The Convenience of the Job
    Sure, a lot of coaching takes place via physical sit-downs, but it is a job that does not need to be done in person. With all the virtual tools available at our fingertips these days, a life coach can effectively hold sessions with his/her clients from halfway across the globe.

    What’s more, this freedom also extends to the ability to regulate what’s on your plate. You can choose how many clients you can juggle and work out a schedule in line with your convenience. This flexibility may prove more appealing to some people than a typical 9-5 job. It frees up a lot of your time so that you can spend more time with your family or doing those things that fulfill you.

  • The Job Model Ensures the Client is Always in the Driver’s Seat
    Not to be mistaken for therapists, the primary purpose of a life coach is to cheer clients on and be that voice of reason should they deviate from a particular course. Coaches are friendly motivators, allowing the client to still to determine what he/she should or should not do to achieve progress. Consequently, this leads to a team-focused and incredibly supportive environment that is imperative within the niche of life coaching.

What Does It Take to be an Exemplary Life Coach?

If you were nodding along to the reasons above, then a life coaching career might just be for you. That aside, do you have what it takes to hack it as a good life coach? While there are a couple of traits that constitute an excellent foundation, keep in mind that that is not limited to the list below. Nonetheless, it’s usually the case that the best life coaches have the following attributes in common:

  • Adept verbal communication
  • A self-driven interest in assisting others and learning more about them
  • Positivity
  • Empathy
  • Good listening and interpretation abilities

Embarking on Your Life Coach Career

There isn’t one clear road map on how to become a great coach as there are many paths to success. It’s a career that cuts across professional and educational backdrops, and its success hinges on coaches sparking positive life changes by drawing from their distinct personalities and experiences.

The backing of an accredited coaching institution as evidenced by a life coaching certification is another prerequisite for the role of a life coach in addition to those listed herein. Such a training program molds you into the ideal person for the profession, equipping you with the necessary skills for flawless coaching. Whether you want to receive your Life Coach Certification online or in an intimate environment, ensure that you enlist an expansive training program that’ll teach you all there is to know about becoming a life coach.

Author's Bio: 

Fern Gorin
Owner/Founder Life Purpose Institute
Life Coach Certification & Career Coach Certification

Fern Gorin was one of the first to pioneer the Life Coach Training field, starting her company in 1984. Life coaches trained by Fern's company, have helped over 1 million people worldwide. Graduates of the Life Purpose Institute ICF accredited program, go through a life-changing process intended to not only teach practical ways to help people through life changes but to also transform lives.