What is Life Coaching? Your Questions Answered

Life coaching is an empowering process that recognizes the client is the expert in their own life – but that they may need some guidance to figure out what really matters to them. Unlike therapy, which often delves into the past to heal emotional wounds, life coaching is forward-focused and solution-oriented. In this article, we'll explore what life coaching is, what the coaching engagement entails, discuss how to select a coach when you are ready, and answer some frequently asked questions about coaching.

Life is an incredible journey filled with challenges, opportunities, and countless possibilities. Along the way, we encounter moments of self-doubt, uncertainty, obstacles, and a desire for change.

• Sometimes we know what we want, but we just don’t know how to get there. 
• Sometimes we don’t even know what we want; we just know that we want something to change. 
• Sometimes we just feel stuck.

That's where life coaching comes into play. Whether you're striving to make a big career change, overcome burnout, find a better work-life balance, or simply create a more fulfilling life - a life coach can help you explore and reach your goals.

Like a stage-coach, coaching takes you from where you currently are to where you want to be.

According to the International Coaching Federation (ICF), coaching is defined as: "partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential."  

A life coach is like a partner in your personal and professional development journey. They are trained professionals who use various tools and techniques to guide, support, and motivate you in achieving your desired outcomes.

What does the Core Energy™ Coaching Experience Look Like?

The Core Energy™ life coaching process typically begins with a thorough assessment of where you are now and where you want to be. We first focus on exploring your deepest values and beliefs, and then uncover any limiting beliefs, thought patterns, or emotional blocks that may be holding you back.

Core Energy™ Coaching is an involved process that facilitates clients to shift their perspective and develop a more positive and empowering mindset by using a wide variety of tools and techniques to facilitate awareness and growth.

The process is highly individualized.

Through a series of guided conversations and self-reflection, clients gain clarity about their core values, passions, aspirations, and purpose, which allows them to create clear, specific and achievable goals, and ultimately to design a more purposeful and fulfilling life.

Coaches are not there to provide answers, but rather to ask powerful questions, listen actively, and facilitate your self-discovery.

In a metaphorical sense, a good coach will “shine a light” for their client by offering clarity, direction, and support.  They help clients navigate through obstacles, find their way, and reach their goals by illuminating their path with insights, guidance, and encouragement.

What Are Some Examples of Coaching Topics?

I help physicians (and non-physicians) who feel stuck in their career to achieve greater happiness and a more fulfilling life. 

Here are some typical topics I work with clients on:

• Burnout prevention / reversal
• Clarifying / finding life purpose
• Designing optimal work-life balance
• Navigating career transitions
• Setting and achieving personal (and work-related) goals
• Improving communication and interpersonal skills
• Time management
• Leadership development
• Dealing with work-related conflicts
• Improving relationships
• Developing a resilient and positive mindset
• Personal wellness strategies

How to Choose a Life Coach

When choosing a life coach, it's essential to find the right match. Look for someone who has proper training and certification, as well as a coaching style that resonates with you. Take advantage of the complimentary initial consultation call to get to know a potential coach before committing. A strong rapport and trust between you and your coach are crucial for a successful coaching relationship.  It’s important to find a “good fit” with your coach.

Things to consider when hiring a coach:

1. Compatibility / Personal Chemistry:

A good energetic match / connection between the coach and client is paramount. This is probably the most important factor in picking a coach.  You want to feel comfortable, understood and supported during your coaching relationship.

2. Coaching style:

Ask what type of coaching style and methodology the coach uses.  There is a wide-variety of coaching techniques that range from structured and accountability oriented, to conversational, to confrontational, to holistic, to intuitive, and everything in-between. Choose a coach whose style resonates with your preferences and needs.

3. Track Record and Success Stories:

Great coaches have happy and satisfied clients.  Look for positive testimonials and success stories from people with similar goals or challenges.

4. Expertise:

Although a good coach can coach on nearly any topic, you may wish to seek out a life coach who has a similar background to you, or who specializes in areas that align with your specific goals or challenges.  

5. Credentials and Certification:

Choosing a life coach who has been trained at an ICF-accredited program can provide you with the assurance of high-quality training, ethical standards, and coaching competency - making it more likely that you'll have a productive and effective coaching experience.

I trained at iPEC, which is an ICF-accredited training program. iPEC’s certification requirements are some of the most stringent in the industry including 320 hours of rigorous training and I have three separate certifications including Certified Professional Coach (CPC), Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner (ELI-MP), and certification as a COR.E Dynamics specialist.  The program includes approximately 100 hours of live training with face-to-face coaching practice and coach mentoring. 

It is important to understand that life coaching is not a regulated industry. Unfortunately, some untrained people who call themselves coaches aren’t actually coaching. While they may mean well, they may instead be mentoring, consulting or advising, rather than coaching.

6. Cost and Accessibility:

Coaches vary in their fees, so choose a coach whose pricing fits your budget. Additionally, ask about the coach’s availability for sessions, as it may impact convenience and accessibility.

7. Initial Consultation:

Many coaches offer a complimentary initial consultation or “discovery” call, which allows potential clients to get a feel for the coach's approach and determine whether there is a good fit. This consultation can be instrumental in the decision-making process, so take advantage of this opportunity!

Ultimately, choosing a life coach is highly personal and depends on the individual's unique goals, preferences, and needs. It's important to take the time to research and interview potential coaches to find the one who resonates most with your objectives and values.

Frequently Asked Questions

One of the remarkable aspects of life coaching is its customizability. Life coaches work with clients on an individual basis, tailoring their approach to suit each person's unique needs, aspirations, and challenges.

Here are some frequently asked questions:

• Will I need to sign a contract?  Yes most likely. The ICF encourages coaches to use a written agreement to ensure a clear and concise, and mutually agreed upon understanding of what the coaching engagement entails. I use a written agreement with my clients.
• How long do your coaching engagements usually last?  This is highly variable depending on the person and the reason for coaching.  It generally takes about 3 months to make significant progress towards a change.  Some goals may take longer.  According to the ICF, the average coaching engagement is just over 12 months.  I typically start new clients with a 9 session (3 month) package.
• How often are coaching sessions scheduled?  This is highly variable depending on the coach and client’s needs.  To gain the most benefit and momentum, I recommend starting off on a once weekly basis.
• How are coaching sessions usually conducted?  Most coaching is conducted via an online platform such as Zoom, or by phone. In person coaching is also an option.
• How long do coaching sessions last?  This is variable and coach-dependent.  For me, I find a 50-minute session to be most optimal.
• How much does life coaching cost?  This is highly variable depending on the geographic location, length of the session, type of session package and experience of the coach. Typical rates for an experienced coach range from $150-600.  Of course, there are some coaches that charge much higher rates.
• What is a complimentary initial consultation call?  Most coaches, myself included, will offer a free consultation (or discovery) call. This is a great way to get to know a coach, determine whether they might be someone you’d feel comfortable working with, and get a feel for what working with them would be like.

In a world that's always shifting and full of exciting possibilities, life coaching offers a structured and empowering path to personal and professional growth. Whether you're seeking to achieve specific goals or simply want to live a more fulfilling life, a skilled life coach can be your guide and partner on this journey. Life coaching transformed my life, and it can help you achieve a more fulfilling and happier life too.

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My goal is to help inspire a happier world.

Cheers,

Tracy Davis

Founder, The Happy Physician

I help physicians (and non-physicians) who feel stuck in their careers to create a clear vision for their future, so that they can achieve greater happiness and a more fulfilling life.  I am an expert in burnout and career transitions. 

Ready to see what coaching could do for you?  Send me a message and let me know you’d like to set up a free discovery call. For more information, visit my website.

thehappyphysician.com 

Interested in a complimentary call?

Let's talk about where you currently are, where you'd like to be and what's getting in your way. You can get a taste for what coaching is all about and what it could do for you. If I think I can help you, and you feel we are a good fit, then we can then discuss next steps. Click here to access my scheduling calendar.

Group Coaching Classes are coming in 2024. Stay tuned for details.