What Exactly Is Coaching?
I can’t believe it’s taken me over three years to write this post! Better late than never, I suppose.
I’m going to simplify coaching in this post, but I welcome you to contact me if you have any questions or are interested in learning more.
Life coaching is a partnership that helps people get from where they are now (point A) to where they want to be (point B), whether that’s personally, professionally, or both. Coaching is like having a thought partner who’s trained to help you to clarify what you want , peel back the layers on what’s holding you back, and encourage you to take action toward your goals.
For someone totally new to the idea, here’s a simple breakdown:
It’s not therapy – Life coaching is future-focused. Coaches don’t diagnose or treat mental health issues. Instead, they work with people who are generally functioning well but want more clarity, confidence, or direction. Coaching answers the question “how” and therapy generally answers the question “why.”
It’s not consulting – Coaches don’t give you all the answers or tell you what to do. Instead, they ask powerful questions that help you access your own insights and create your own plan of attack.
It’s about action – Coaching is very results-driven. Clients often set goals and work with their coach to stay accountable and make real progress. But remember, coaching will never work if you don’t work for it!
Examples of why someone might work with a life coach:
They feel stuck in their career or unsure of their next step.
They want better work-life balance or to manage stress more effectively.
They’re going through a life transition like becoming a parent, changing jobs, or moving cities.
They have a dream or goal (start a business, write a book, get healthier) but keep putting it off.
At its very core, coaching is about unlocking potential and helping someone step into their best self with more intention, awareness, and purpose.