Monday, February 23, 2015

Understanding The Benefits Of Having A Life Coach

By Beryl Dalton


There is a constant flow of advice from the media today prescribing often-facile solutions for complex problems. From television therapists to political figures, the underlying message is that achieving success always requires ever-harder work and more personal sacrifice. Although no one has all the answers, the benefits of having a life coach include genuine help in achieving important personal goals faster and more effectively.

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.

Coaches are most helpful when there is a gap between goals and the realities of individual lives. Their support is not restricted to achieving specific financial or business targets, but can also include help with issues such as conquering a debilitating fear, building a more satisfying relationship with a partner, or making the transition to a different career. It helps define those needs.

Coaching has been called a type of consulting that is not confined to the business world. The primary difference is that coaches stay connected with clients for several weeks, and proactively encourage constructive and ongoing responses. They help focus on personally realistic attainments in categories such as requesting a higher salary, developing better interpersonal relationships, making career advances, and much more.

The biggest single advantage is the ability to view a particular problem or situation from the perspective of an outsider not influenced by existing emotional issues or personal histories. Coaches analyze a situation or goal objectively, and then provide possible actions that will help achieve the desired result. They rarely tell people precisely what to say or do, but instead present workable options.

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.

Coaches avoid a cookie-cutter approach to solving thorny problems, and realize that each client is unique. There are no lectures regarding actions that must be taken, but more useful advice on how to break free of self-imposed limits. For those who truly want to make changes in the direction of their lives, coaches provide the type of support and guidance that makes real change a reality.

This type of aid provides a realistic way for many individuals to re-align their own priorities, and to better evaluate pathways to achieving the goals that matter personally. While personal independence in thought and action is admired culturally, it can sometimes result in isolation and produce stymied results. Having a personal mentor not only provides a wider perspective, but has already made a difference in the lives of many clients.




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