WHAT DOES A LIFE COACH DO? 20 BRIEF EXPLANATIONS
One thing that 'goes with the turf' when it comes to being in the life coaching industry is dealing with the misunderstandings that exist about what life coaching is and what life coaches do.
Over this past weekend, I was privileged to attend a postgraduate degree class reunion—an anniversary of more years than I care to mention!
Inevitably, as happens at such events, talk turned to the type of work one does, and what keeps one busy.
Equally inevitably came the question directed at me:
"Oh, so what exactly does a life coach do?"
In my experience, long-winded explanations tend to be greeted by most with a glazing over of the eyes and a quick change of topic. So, my approach is to keep the initial response relatively short and punchy.
That way, those with a genuine interest in the subject will be encouraged to continue the conversation, allowing me to dive a bit deeper, while those who ask just to be polite, will at least be left with some food for thought.
Anyway, this got me thinking about all the life coaches and trainee life coaches who regularly read this Blog and who would likely value a little inspiration when it comes to ways to summarise what they do.
I also thought about how non-coach readers, with an interest in life coaching, might benefit from a few different perspectives on what a life coach does.
So, with that in mind, I offer 20 alternative brief replies that a life coach might consider when asked the inevitable question ...
"What does a life coach do?"
1.
"Henry Ford once said, 'If you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right!' As a life coach, I'm here to help those who think they can prove that they're right, and to help those who think they can't prove that they're wrong!"
2.
"I help people like you to engage their imaginations, bring their goals and dreams to life, and then go out and make them happen."
3.
"I provide you with the inspiration, tools, techniques and support you need to unleash the inner superpowers that, right now, you may not appreciate that you have."
4.
"As individuals, each of us has unique aspirations, goals and dreams along with the creative ability and inner power to achieve them. But each of us also possesses a complex web of self-imposed limiting beliefs, value-crushing fears and restrictive internal rules that block our progress. As a life coach, I will equip you with the tools, techniques and support to dismantle this block, unleash your inner power and make your dreams a reality."
5.
"As a life coach, I help my clients go within and bring about the internal shifts needed to become the strong, value-driven, highly motivated individuals they desire to be."
6.
"I am not a counsellor, I'm a life coach. If you come to me burdened by problems, I'll ensure you leave motivated by opportunities."
7.
"I'm not a consultant. I won't design solutions for aspects of your life that you're not happy with. But I will show you how to clarify, and then create, the life you truly desire for yourself."
8.
"I'm not a mentor. It would be presumptuous of me to think I know and understand you and your circumstances better than you do. However, I am an expert at empowering you to live your life to the full."
9.
"I'm not a motivational speaker. I won't stir something inside of you today and then leave you to come back down to earth tomorrow. I'm a life coach. I'll guide and support you on an exciting journey to bring about the lasting change you want and deserve."
10.
"As a life coach, I'm an agent of change. If you feel the need for change in one or more areas of your life, then welcome to my practice. My expertise lies in facilitating your journey of transformation."
11.
"The term 'life coach', though simple, can be misleading. I am not here to advise you how to live your life. I am here to show you how to get to know and understand yourself, your purpose, your values and your beliefs and how to make the changes you feel are needed to become the person—and live the life—you desire."
12.
"If, like most people, you live your life trying to be that which others want, expect, or demand from you, I'm here to help you see that personal freedom comes from living life as your inner being intended, and then help guide you to do just that."
13.
"My guess is, that if you're like most, you're going through the motions of life, just trying to cope with everything life throws at you. What if I showed you how to stop reacting to life and start purposefully creating it the way you want instead?"
14.
"My job as a life coach is to help you find your purpose and passion and to show you how to re-design your life around that core focus."
15.
"If your car starts spluttering and playing up, you take it to the mechanic for a service so it will run smoothly again, just the way you want and need it to. When your life isn't running as smoothly as you'd like, a life coach will help you diagnose the problem, clear any internal blockages and get you firing on all cylinders again."
16.
"The late, great Wayne Dyer once said, 'Change the way you look at things and the things you look at will change.' As a life coach, my role is to help you develop a powerful and inspiring new perspective on your life, your abilities, and the way you relate to the world."
17.
"In the beginning, some clients think that by paying me to help them achieve their goals, they won't have to do any work. They get a rude awakening when they find that I am simply the catalyst for their change—they still have to do the hard work! But those who rise to the challenge are usually awestruck by just how incredibly worthwhile doing that work is."
18.
"Many people I speak with think that a life coach is there to show you how to live your life. Nothing is further from the truth. The role of a life coach is to help you visualise the life you want to live and then equip you with the tools, techniques, inspiration and support to make the changes you need to live that life."
19.
"Life is for living. Coaching is for self-development. Self-development is about living with purpose. So, Life Coaching is about promoting the self-development needed to live a life of purpose and meaning."
20.
"Imagine being shrouded in thick mist. You can't see what your destination looks like and you're not sure which way to go, or how to get there. Think of me, your life coach, as a powerful demister. I help bring clarity to your end destination, or goal, and help you map out the best route and action steps to get you there."
I hope that you found this useful.
Let me know in the comments, which one (or ones) resonated with you the most.
And, if you're a life coach, please share your own favourite response to this common question!
