Coaching is popular these days. You can find coaches on everything from career coaching to nutrition coaching. As a coach, I tend to see a lot of advertising for coaching and in this advertising, there are many promises that coaching offers. But how reputable are these offers and how do you choose a coach who is right for you?
Defining What Coaching Is
A coach is not a therapist nor an advice giver. The job of a coach is to help you take the steps to determine your outcome. Coaches help to guide you through your journey and will not make decisions for you. Going through the coaching process is having someone to bounce and discuss ideas with, to gain insight into your endeavours. When hiring a coach, take a look at what their expertise is, where they specialize, and customer testimonials, and don’t be afraid to ask them questions about their strategy of coaching and the methods they use when coaching. The main thing to remember is when working with a coach you will ultimately determine the track you want to take and they will help guide you through the process of goal setting, execution, planning, etc.
Finding a Coach
Social media seems to be the place (Instagram and Facebook) where many coaches advertise their services. A simple Google search can also turn up several coaches. Networking and groups on Facebook are also places where you can find coaches. Often posting on a self-help group that you are looking for a coach will turn up results of people reaching out to you with their coaching services. This is a good way to make direct contact with potential coaches and see their website and communication style. When researching a coach first see where they specialize. Some coaches specialize in unique niche areas such as spirituality or in specific types of business or professions. There might be a coach out there for you that you didn’t even know existed!
Each coach should be able to explain to you how they can help, after listening to your story and needs. Many coaches will have blogs where they write about aspects of their expertise and other related topics. Another strategy you can use is to interview the coach, or as many coaches as you feel you would need to talk to get an idea of their communication skills and how well you and the coach will fit together when collaborating towards your goals.
Starting the Coaching Relationship
When you first begin with a coach, they will typically start the relationship by telling you what they can help you with, in addition to discussing your goal for coaching and the goals that you want to achieve. Keep in mind that just after one session you will likely have your goals and story shared and possibly some formatting towards your goals set. You may walk away from the session with goals that you are going to start to work on. Typically, the goal will be broken down into chunks that you can achieve during your time in between sessions.
As the client it is up to you to work on the goals, keeping in mind that the coach is there to guide you and encourage you. They will not complete the work for you but can be a great sounding board. Coaching may also help you to discover resources that you can use in achieving your goals. For example, a career coach may have access to websites and tools that will help you look up information on a career path you are interested in pursuing. The key thing to remember when working with a coach is that as the client you have to keep going and collaborating with your coach to get the most out of your experience.
Once you have worked with your coach for a few sessions, you should begin to feel more motivated, while seeing progress in your aspirations. If something isn’t working for you during the coaching process, then let your coach know. Remember it is your journey, the coach is there to support you, when helping you to stay motivated.
Have more questions about how career coaching can help you? Reach out to me on our contact page on Instagram @BlissPlusYou.
How to Find the Right Coach
Coaching is popular these days. You can find coaches on everything from career coaching to nutrition coaching. As a coach, I tend to see a lot of advertising for coaching and in this advertising, there are many promises that coaching offers. But how reputable are these offers and how do you choose a coach who is right for you?
Defining What Coaching Is
A coach is not a therapist nor an advice giver. The job of a coach is to help you take the steps to determine your outcome. Coaches help to guide you through your journey and will not make decisions for you. Going through the coaching process is having someone to bounce and discuss ideas with, to gain insight into your endeavours. When hiring a coach, take a look at what their expertise is, where they specialize, and customer testimonials, and don’t be afraid to ask them questions about their strategy of coaching and the methods they use when coaching. The main thing to remember is when working with a coach you will ultimately determine the track you want to take and they will help guide you through the process of goal setting, execution, planning, etc.
Finding a Coach
Social media seems to be the place (Instagram and Facebook) where many coaches advertise their services. A simple Google search can also turn up several coaches. Networking and groups on Facebook are also places where you can find coaches. Often posting on a self-help group that you are looking for a coach will turn up results of people reaching out to you with their coaching services. This is a good way to make direct contact with potential coaches and see their website and communication style. When researching a coach first see where they specialize. Some coaches specialize in unique niche areas such as spirituality or in specific types of business or professions. There might be a coach out there for you that you didn’t even know existed!
Each coach should be able to explain to you how they can help, after listening to your story and needs. Many coaches will have blogs where they write about aspects of their expertise and other related topics. Another strategy you can use is to interview the coach, or as many coaches as you feel you would need to talk to get an idea of their communication skills and how well you and the coach will fit together when collaborating toward your goals.
Starting the Coaching Relationship
When you first begin with a coach, they will typically start the relationship by telling you what they can help you with, in addition to discussing your goal for coaching and the goals that you want to achieve. Keep in mind that just after one session you will likely have your goals and story shared and possibly some formatting towards your goals set. You may walk away from the session with goals that you are going to start to work on. Typically, the goal will be broken down into chunks that you can achieve during your time in between sessions.
As the client it is up to you to work on the goals, keeping in mind that the coach is there to guide you and encourage you. They will not complete the work for you but can be a great sounding board. Coaching may also help you to discover resources that you can use in achieving your goals. For example, a career coach may have access to websites and tools that will help you look up information on a career path you are interested in pursuing. The key thing to remember when working with a coach is that as the client you have to keep going and collaborating with your coach to get the most out of your experience.
Once you have worked with your coach for a few sessions, you should begin to feel more motivated, while seeing progress in your aspirations. If something isn’t working for you during the coaching process, then let your coach know. Remember it is your journey, the coach is there to support you, when helping you to stay motivated.
Have more questions about how career coaching can help you? Reach out to me on our contact page on Instagram @BlissPlusYou.
Bliss + You 