What Is Life Coaching?
By Michelle L Casto
Money Magazine said that “A coach may be the guardian angel you need to rev up your career.” In fact, if you pick up any major newspaper or magazine, you are bound to come across a glowing article on coaching. It is one of the fastest growing careers, with an estimated 100,000 coaches in the United States. Because coaching is a relatively new profession, there are many people calling themselves “coaches”---unfortunately not all of whom are fully qualified. You should know that there is no required professional certification process, although it is coming in the near future.
When hiring a coach, it is essential that you know and trust your coach, as they are helping you craft your most important project---your life! The wonderful thing about coaching is that most coaches offer a complimentary sample session. This gives you the opportunity to see their style and find out if there is a match. To choose the best coach for you, ask them questions about their background, training, and any certifications. Most people simply choose someone based on the chemistry they feel after the session, so feel free to trust your instincts.
You may wonder how coaching is different from counseling. The two main differences is coaching tends to be a shorter-term relationship (lasting anywhere from a few months to a year), whereas counseling tends to be long-term. Also, coaching focuses on what is right in your life and what you would like to have more of. Coaching is very action-oriented and empowering. There isn’t a lot of room to waste time on “the story.” Coaching does not delve into the past, but rather looks towards the future and seeks to increase your effectiveness in your interpersonal relationships, career, finances, business, and health.
In the 21st century, coaching is no longer a luxury, but a necessity! All human beings have a natural instinct to grow and learn, and due to the increased interest in self-improvement, more people than ever want the extra support that a coach provides. Your coach is invested in your success and provides insight, structure, and encouragement for increased effectiveness and fast improvements. He serves as your partner, champion and cheerleader for your success and fulfilment. She works with you to close the gap between where you are now and where you want to be in the future. Coaching facilitates self-discovery to empower you to create the life you desire and deserve. Coaching is based on learning, reflecting, and taking action. It is an interdependent relationship, with the coach playing many roles such as that of listener, questioner, and challenger.
Michelle L. Casto, M.Ed., is a Whole Life Coach, Speaker, and Author of the Get Smart! LearningBook Series, which includes books and workbooks on romantic relationships, career development, life purpose/life strategy, and stress management. Her coaching practice is Brightlight Coaching. She empowers people to live with passion, purpose, & possibility and inspires people to freely shine their brightlight to the world. To learn more or to subscribe to the Get Smart! Live Smart newsletter, Visit virtually: http://www.getsmartseries.com or http://www.brightlightcoach.com
coach@getsmartseries.com
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