Understanding The Benefits Of Having A Life Coach

By Beryl Dalton


People are accustomed to being exposed to a barrage of media advice covering nearly every aspect of living. From politicians to pop TV therapists, the message is to work ever harder and sacrifice more in order to achieve success. While no individual has all the solutions, the benefits of having a life coach include guidance in achieving personal goals in a quicker and more personally satisfying manner.

Coaches are not surrogate psychotherapists, and their primary purpose is not to dredge up past issues. The majority are certified and have received training, but do not provide therapy in the commonly accepted sense. Their main intent is to give people support in those areas of life where it is truly possible to make positive achievements that match individual potential. Many clients are professionals, but anyone can participate.

When there is a gap between desired achievement and the realities of day-to-day living, a coach can help. The support provided is not limited to reaching a business or financial goal, but also includes personal solutions helpful in conquering anxieties, building better relationships with others, or making a significant transition to an entirely different career. Coaches help clients define those goals.

The job has been called a type of consulting that transcends the business world. Life coaches differ because they routinely remain close to clients for several weeks, which often stimulates accountability and reinforces the desire to persevere. They commonly help clients focus realistically on making a better salary, developing helpful social skills, or making career advancements.

The primary advantage coaches bring to the table is the wider perspective that exists only when there are no existing emotional influences or difficult-to-overcome personal histories to battle. They can view and assess situations far more objectively, and then provide action options that make success more likely. They very rarely specifically tell people what to say or how to act, but instead present viable choices.

A particular client may have a specific goal in mind, but lack the personal initiative to achieve it. Coaching helps clearly define goals and make individual motivations meaningful. They often encourage developing new skills that will support achievement, and provide the kind of backup that helps clients when inevitable delays or side issues become obstacles. Their approach is positive, not punitive.

They do not take a uniform approach to problem solving, understanding that each situation differs. Clients are not given lectures about what they ought to be doing, but rather receive advice designed to help them break away from patterns of self-limitation. Coaches provide assistance to those who want to make radical changes, but who alone lack the guidance and support that can help make an about-face possible.

Many individuals find this type of help is a good way to crystallize their own priorities, and to discover and evaluate new ways of attaining goals. Modern culture lionizes independent action and thought, but always going it alone can result in wasted effort and even isolation. The benefits of this type of mentor not only include a wider perspective, but solid, realistic achievements that were formerly frustrating.




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