Other than the “how is Coaching different than therapy” question (which I’ll address in a later post), these are the two questions I get asked the most. 

What is Life Coaching?

Life coaching is a process that guides you to a deeper understanding of who you are and what you’re all about. Coaching helps you identify your strengths, values, dreams, goals, and life purpose. It is an inspiring, empowering, and insightful journey.

In a coaching session, you are the expert. The coach asks you powerful questions. The coach listens intently not only to the words you say, but the words you don’t say, all the while taking in your tone, facial expressions, body language, and energy and tapping into their intuition to pick up on the subtler details.

Coaches have an extensive toolkit to help you access your own brilliance, let go of limiting beliefs, face fears, and move through challenges. This video illustrates the journey rather simply and elegantly.

One of my favorite aspects of the relationship is the safe space that is created by designing an alliance based on trust and non-judgment. It’s an incredible feeling to be so heard and so seen by another human being. You have full permission to be completely real and imperfect and vulnerable.

In addition to massively expanding self-awareness, another huge part of the process is taking action. Once you have clarity around what you want, your coach can help you design a plan, set goals, and stay focused. We give homework (which you co-design with us) and we also like to throw outrageous challenges at you from time to time to encourage you to think big and step out of your comfort zone. It’s exhilarating.

Why Do I Need It?

I often get asked who hires me and what types of “issues” they have. Let me be clear. You don’t need life coaching because you are broken. As coaches, we believe that you are naturally resourceful, creative, and whole. You don’t need to be fixed.

You also don’t have to have a problem or issue to solve. In fact, many people who hire coaches are doing just fine. Oftentimes, they’re already kicking some serious ass. What they seek is even greater success and fulfillment.

Working with a coach is a great way to tackle a specific challenge, although the topic at hand is oftentimes more of a gateway through which we access deeper parts of your being that affect every area of your life.

Coaching can help you get unstuck, get out of your own way, get clear on your vision or dream life, and get you moving quickly in that direction. Coaching can guide you to aliveness, relaxing into your authentic self, and to living an intentional life aligned with your deepest values. I’ve watched people transform into more grounded, more fully expressed, and more vibrant versions of themselves. It’s as if they shed layer after layer of bullshit and each layer reveals more of what’s true. Eric Schmidt articulates it well here.

Personally, I agree that everybody needs a coach. But, here are a few more examples of when it’s especially helpful. You should consider hiring a coach if you are ready to stop being a victim of circumstance, reacting to the world around you, and feeling helpless or stuck. You should consider hiring a coach if you are ready to take responsibility for your thoughts, behavior, and happiness.

And you should consider hiring a coach if you simply want to grab your life by the balls and be even more awesome than you already are.

Originally published June 5, 2013. Revised and republished June 25, 2020.