Life Coaching Articles
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| Does Life Coaching Help? In the early days of coaching, many new coaches believed that coaching was all about setting goals and reaching them. It did not take long till experienced coaches realized that setting goals and pushing and pulling a client to reach them was doing little more than focusing on the symptoms. As one experienced coach said, we are preparing our clients to run a race, jumping over life's hurdles. We are teaching our clients to push harder and climb over all obstacles that are in the way. I don't agree! I believe the answer is to explore with the client the dynamics that are in play and find out what is holding the client back. When I meet a client, they always ask how I plan to help them. My reply is simple, most people come to me with one foot on the gas and one foot on the brake. They feel like they are not getting anywhere. Some motivational coaches and gurus will say to push harder on the gas pedal, I prefer a method of gently letting your foot off the brake. I have worked with hundreds of clients. I have seen dramatic results with many of them. My practice started out working with hospitality owners, like bed & breakfast owners. Today, my practice is consumed with clients dealing with relationship problems. Most are caught between saving the marriage and divorce. I am often asked how close my coaching resembles marriage therapy. My answer is real simple. I coach clients to discover the real underlying issues and problems and then help them make important choices in their lives. Marriage therapist tell the clients what is wrong with their relationship. 80% of my clients have already tried traditional methods of problem solving, including prescription medications, extended visits to medical doctors, reading self-help books and attending marriage retreats. When they arrive in my office, it is obvious these other methods did not deliver the desired results. Many clients tell me that coaching is their last hope. I wish I could report 100% success, unfortunately that would not be accurate. I feel that I am able to help 100%of my clients make some improvement, even by planting a seed that will grow at a later date. I have seen married couples who are on the verge of divorce, rescue a marriage and turn it around, I have had clients who reduce their stress and let go of past issues and trauma. I have seen clients shift their thinking and improve in all areas of life. I like to ask my clients what they are willing to do to reach the desired results. Whatever their answer, determines the results we see. If a client comes to my office determined to solve their problems, they usually are resolved. If a client comes to my office and says, " I am here, I paid my money, now make me better", the results are usually marginal at best. I believe coaching achieves results that traditional therapy is not able to reach. Most therapist follow strict guidelines in their treatment, which is why we say therapy is a science. Coaching is an art form, it allows the coach to use his or her skills and past experiences to help the client see for themselves what the real issue is or the solution to the problem. Coaching is basically, holding up a mirror so the client can see him or her self. It allows the client to see reality. Therapy is based on analyzing the clients problems. Therapist are training to focus on the problem and presenting issue and only on that issue. Life coaches look at all areas of a clients life, finance, emotions, relationships, family, career and health. No other professional is trained to focus on all areas of your life. In my personal experiences, I have found coaching to be the number one form of problem solving. If you have a problem or issue in life, consider hiring a life coach to help you resolve this problem. Coaches have walked in your shoes and are prepared to help you solve your problem quicker, easier with less stress. Let a trained professional help you. For more information on life coaching and how it can help you, please call Jeff at 1-800-841-8776 or e mail Jeff@LifeCoachCollege.org |