What Is Life Coaching?

"What is life coaching?"

As a certified life coach, I get this question from time to time. Life coaching is a relatively new approach to personal growth. It is a process to help you not only reach your "point B" with clarity,but provide depth of insight along the way.

Life coaching is regulated by the International Coach Federation (ICF). If you wish to obtain coaching you will want to be sure the coach you select is adhering to the ethical and professional guidelines of the ICF. There are a lot of people who, with no training at all, are calling themselves coaches. But they do not provide the kind of deep, lasting impact clients desire. They can end up doing more harm than good.

The ICF provides a detailed explanation of what coaching is and what it isn't. Here's an excerpt:

What are some typical reasons someone might work with a coach?
There are many reasons that an individual or team might choose to work with a coach, including but not limited to the following:

• There is something at stake (a challenge, stretch goal or opportunity), and it is urgent, compelling or exciting or all of the above;
• There is a gap in knowledge, skills, confidence, or resources;
• There is a desire to accelerate results;
• There is a lack of clarity, and there are choices to be made;
• The individual is extremely successful, and success has started to become problematic;
• Work and life are out of balance, and this is creating unwanted consequences; or
• One has not identified his or her core strengths and how best to leverage them.

For a detailed explanation of life coaching, visit this link to the ICF website:

WHAT IS COACHING?

If you are a people-helper and you think you are ready to invest in life coaching, go for it. Try it for a month. Just be sure you are ready to grow because that's what happens. You'll be Serving Strong!