Sunday, February 22, 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.

A coach becomes an asset when there is a figurative chasm between achieving a personal goal and the realities of daily life. Support is not limited to achieving business or financial goals, but also includes issues such as building a stronger relationship with a partner, conquering paralyzing fears or anxieties, or transitioning to a different career. It helps people define what they want to achieve.

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.

Even though a client may already have a well-defined goal, personal initiative may be lacking. Coaches not only help clarify outcomes, but also provide more meaningful personal motivation for taking continued action. They may encourage the development of useful new skills, and provide support when the inevitable roadblocks or delays cause client frustration. The approach is not punitive, but positive.

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.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment