It seems Life Coaching is all the rage. Just google that term and see all the hits - pages of them. Harvard Business Review reports that coaching is a $1 billion a year industry. So just what is a personal coach, professional coach, or life coach and why are so many executives and individuals using them to accelerate their careers, get unstuck from some place, and to experience better, more fulfilling, richer lives?
First, what is a professional coach? A leading global professional association for coaches defines coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.” Whaaa...??? Plain English, please.
Second, who uses coaches? A 2009 study of the professional coaching industry found that coaching was used by 90% of organizations surveyed and that even in the economic downturn, 70% report that they are increasing or maintaining their commitment to coaching. Not only businesses but thousands of individuals have discovered the benefits of working with a life coach.
How about a sports analogy to illustrate. Tiger Woods is possibly the best golfer in the world and he uses coaches. Why would anyone pay to be coached by someone less skilled than himself? Two main reasons immediately come to mind.
First, we are notoriously bad at seeing ourselves as we really are. Even if we try very hard to be objective about ourselves, we are not. Furthermore, the observer has a different vantage point and perspective than the doer. A great benefit of the coach is that he tells the "player" what he honestly sees. That alone, even before any advice, is huge.
Second, Tiger Woods uses specialist coaches for different aspects of his game. He may be the best overall golfer, but others are individually better drivers, chippers and putters.
These are two of the same advantages of life coaches. Your parents, siblings, friends, your boss - they all have valuable things to contribute to your success. But none of them is an unbiased source of feedback and encouragement. Your life coach is. He or she has no preconceived ideas of who you are or your limitations. She did not change your diapers, know you in your rebellious stage, or have his business profits riding on your performance.
You pay your life coach to be honest with you, to help you decide for yourself where you want to go, to refine what strategies will get you there, and to be an accountability person who also applauds your progress.
Sports coaching is affordable and worth it. If not, that profession would not exist. Likewise for life coaching.
Contact us at waverockcoaching@gmail.com for a free exploratory session to see how our life coaching can help you.
Lorne
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