Why Hire a Life Coach?
WHY HIRE A LIFE COACH?
Introduction by Dr Andrew S Kane PhD OBE
What follows is an article, in its entirety, written by Lloyd J. Thomas, Ph.D. Lloyd was my mentor coach while I was undertaking my masters and doctorate degrees in professional coaching. He has kindly permitted me to republish his excellent article on why hire a life coach. Like me we are faculty members at a University and share common views and values on coaching. Dr Thomas brief bio is at the end of this article.
Article : Why Hire a Life coach by Lloyd Thomas PhD
I define effective life coaching as: authentic self-expression within the coach/client relationship such that the coach catalyzes the clients’ successful manifestation of their desired outcomes. When a qualified life coach serves the client as a catalyst, s/he stimulates the clients' talents, skills and character qualities so that they effectively create the life (lifestyles) they desire. The coach is not changed in anyway, does not try to "fix" anything about the clients and remains focused on the clients' successfully attaining their chosen coaching goals.
So why hire a life coach? Well, we usually spend the first 18-21 years of our lives adapting to a lifestyle which is totally determined by someone else, usually our parents and teachers. Given the rapid rate of change in our culture, as adults we spend a great amount of time getting over our childhood adaptations. Additionally, our formal education usually neglects at least eleven essential areas of learning that are required to effectively adapt to an adult lifestyle:
how to learn best;
· how to maximize your wellness;
· how to live your life “on purpose”;
· how to design and create the life you desire;
· how to be a catalyst for others’ growth and development
· how to be a good spouse;
· how to be an effective parent;
· how to successfully create high-quality relationships;
· how to create a successful business;
· how to effectively manage your finances;
· and how to create all your desired outcomes.
After our formal education, we spend about 90-95 percent of our time functioning within these eleven areas of activity. Wouldn't it not only be nice, and also wise to have someone to coach you in all these adult activities? A qualified and well-trained life coach could serve you in developing any or all of them. Here are at least:
7 BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH A LIFE COACH
Coaching has proven to work when these two factors are present: (1) The client is willing to grow, and (2) there is a gap between where they are now and where they want to be. That is all that is necessary for the coach and client to solve problems, create a new lifestyle, turn a business around, increase sales and profitability, design and implement a plan of action or assist in creating “the life of your dreams.”
WITH A QUALIFIED LIFE COACH, YOU WILL ---
TAKE MORE, BETTER, AND SMARTER ACTIONS: because you set the goals you really want. Ultimately, humans do what they really want to do anyway. The first task together is to find out exactly what you really want for yourself. A life coach assists you to distinguish between what you “coulda," shoulda," "oughta” and “have-to” want, from what you, in your heart of hearts, genuinely want for yourself.
HAVE A BALANCED LIFE WHICH WORKS WELL: because you designed it “selfishly.” Sorry, but “having it all in the 21st Century” means starting with a balanced life. You know what that means: it’s time to become "selfish." Not egotistical, but Selfish...with a capital “S”. Professional coaches show you how to be selfish yet responsible, and how to get your needs met and still have people like you! You need this base if you are to be true to your authentic Self.
MAKE AND KEEP MORE MONEY: You are worth more than you’re making. Money! You gotta’ have it and have a lot more of it than you think. You know you can make (and keep) more money, so why don’t you? Coaching can assist you to increase your business, increase what you earn, pay off old bills, set up a financial plan for your future and help design a strategy for you to earn more from your working efforts.
REACH FOR MORE, MUCH MORE: and not be consumed in the process. When anyone has a supportive partner they trust, they will always reach for much more, because they can emotionally afford to. You need to surround yourself with a supportive social network.
MAKE BETTER DECISIONS FOR YOURSELF, YOUR JOB, YOUR BUSINESS OR YOUR EDUCATION: because your focus is clear. All clients are smart. Yet they still use a qualified coach. Why? Because they know the value of sharing ideas with someone who understands them and is subjective enough to want a lot for them, yet objective enough not to be biased or self-serving. Just you talking about your options with someone who listens is often sufficient to have those options become very clear.
HAVE A MORE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY: no more starting and stopping. When you’re happy, productive and free from tolerations and problems, you’re going to feel better! You're going to live better.
CREATE HIGH QUALITY RELATIONSHIPS: All success is dependent on the quality of the relationships we create. When you are skilled at effectively contributing to high-quality relationships, (especially a marital relationship) your chances of success are greatly increased.
Why hire a life coach? Answer: for any or all the above reasons.
Dr. Thomas is a licensed clinical psychologist (ret.) and certified life coach. He is on the faculty of the International University of Professional Studies. He is the co-author of the book, "Total Life Coaching: 50+ Life Lessons, Skills, and Techniques to Enhance Your Practice...and Your Life" (W. W. Norton, 2005). He leads seminars/workshops on: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Life Coaching; Business Coaching; Creativity; Academic Excellence; Creating High-Quality Relationships; Effective Communication; Effective Leadership and many others. (DrLloyd@CreatingLeaders.com )
Dr. Kane is a certified positive psychology coach with a focus on life and business coaching, especially on midlife challenges. He is on the faculty of the International University of Professional Studies. He is the author of the book, “Three Bridges: Adulthood is Easy Until Life Intervenes” ( available at Amazon or at his web site www.andrewskane.com ). He is the COO and Head of Coaching at Nurxur Inc, which is focused on providing virtual life coaching to employees of progressive organizations that are focused on wellness initiatives and the employer and employee benefits of enhancing the employees’ wellbeing ( www.nurXur.com ).