Don’t worry, it comes as no surprise to us if you or some people you know still view having a life coach as an unnecessary luxury. Yes, while getting a life coach does incur extra costs that weren’t previously known to you before, there are numerous physical, emotional and spiritual benefits that you just can’t put a price tag on. According to Norman Munro, a registered psychotherapist, “Commonly, life coaches will want you to examine several critical life areas, such as health, work and career, relationships, spirituality, and financial status, and evaluate how you feel about them.”
Does having a life coach work for everybody? It all depends, and that is what we are here to talk about with you today.
Misconceptions About Life Coaching
First, let’s clear up any idea you might have about life coaching. Proctor Gallagher Institute sums it up into five of the most common myths about life coaching. First, although certain institutions offer certification courses, not all life coaches are professionals.
The practice is not formally regulated, unlike medical doctors or engineers, so in a sense, anyone can be a life coach. The key is to get to know the person’s credentials and persona well before engaging in any arrangement.
Second, just because someone has a life coach, doesn’t mean they are problematic people or aren’t capable of moving this forward for themselves. The proof is that some of the most excellent and successful people we know today sought a life coach for some different reasons, but what we know for sure is that the quality of their lives still had room for improvement, as does everyone.
Third, it’s a waste of time that you could be spending on other things. We’ll tell you upfront that the frequency of you meeting a life coach is dependent on your situation and upon the advice of your life coach. Meetings can happen anywhere from once a week to once a month, and doesn’t even need to be in person!
Fourth, and probably the most common misconception, is that life coaches are primarily the ones to instruct you on how to run your life. If you think that life coaches will decide for you or dictate your actions, then you are very wrong. What they will do, however, is influence you into making better decisions for yourself and a lot to do with behavior. They will tap into your good behaviors and help you let go of the bad ones.
Lastly, and the one that needs the least debunking, is that you need to be rich to have a life coach. Yes, having a life coach is an extra expense that you may or may not afford, but what we can assure you is that having a life coach has a very high return on investment.
Do I Even Need A Life Coach?
Now, we get to the most critical question we ask. Do I need a life coach? Moreover, will have a life coach be good for you? The simple answer is yes, everyone could use a life coach because some of the most evident signs are very general, everyday encounters. According to Rachel Lee Glass, a practicing psychotherapist and life coach, “Life coaching has a legitimate place in the mental health field.” We will sum it up into three main points for you to get a grasp of why people hire life coaches.
The first sign is that you feel the weight of the decisions you need to make. It can either mean you’re in a position of power where the choices you make affect some people around you. Alternatively, you have anxiety when it comes to making decisions. Here is where a life coach can best help you.
Second, you have this longing to improve or exceed your current state in life. If it means you’re feeling down in the dirt, a life coach could help understand and evaluate your status and help you figure out a way to get back up again. It also means you feel you need a companion whose purpose is to figure things out with you.
Third, and the most relatable, it could be that there are many feelings you have that you just can’t explain. A life coach will tell you that it is entirely okay not really to know what you’re feeling.
What If I Cannot Afford a Life Coach?
Not to worry! Self-improvement doesn’t need to cost much. If you can’t afford a life coach but have the same drive to want that balance and control in your life, then you can be guided similarly. Lookup lists of recommended books by life coaches or some written by them too! They offer great advice in writing as they do in person as well!
Life coach Gina Pickersgill from London, UK, explains her approach: “I try to get the person to realize where they want to go, and then to come up with their own solutions to get there. I challenge clients to accept that they have choices and can change. I try to help them get clarity about what they want, then I make them commit to specific goals and an action plan.”
Read up on stories about people who have benefitted from life coaching and take some of the lessons they’ve learned, and apply it to your life! You’d be surprised at where your determination can take you.