Throughout my conversations I often realise that coaching is still relatively unknown. Or that it is associated with helping only a certain category of people (like executives) or with a certain time in your career. Very often after their first coaching hour my clients are amazed at what the session brought for them. They experience some early ‘aha’ moments and from there on they can’t wait to continue. So I would like to share my own experience of coaching, and talk about the powerful benefits that it could have for you too.
I have used a coach myself on several occasions in my career to date. Firstly when I needed a change in my career direction after being in a corporate job for 13 years. I knew I wanted something different, more fulfilling and more balanced. But I wasn’t sure what it was, and I was afraid of making the wrong decision. Whilst I had ideas on my own, I kept going round in circles and meanwhile nothing changed. So I worked with a coach who guided me through exploring what I wanted to do, and removing anything in the way of that. If I’m writing this blog today, it is because of my coach. Thanks to her, I decided on my next career direction, and became a coach. My work life became exciting again, and so immensely fulfilling. I’m so grateful this happened.
Later on in my first year of business, I faced a lot of new challenges. I tried various things on my own, but again I sought some coaching to help me move towards my goals. I worked with another coach who helped me with my mindset. And I got new clients pretty much instantly thanks to her. Now I am working again with my initial coach on growing my business. I’m investing in myself, because I know with certainty the results will be there. And because I know the value of coaching vs. doing it alone.
So you might be wondering why do we need a coach? Based on my experience and the feedback of my clients I have listed for you here the five key benefits of working with a coach:
- You get clarity you don’t get otherwise: when working with a coach, you take the time and space to properly think things through. It is one hour where you sit down to do some introspection. Most times what you uncover are things you already knew deep down, but that a coach is able to bring up to your full awareness.
- A coach gives you a different perspective: thanks to coaching techniques, their own experience and being neutral to your situation, a coach will help you see possibilities where you can’t see them. They will broaden your horizon, challenge your thinking at times, and fuel you with ideas or potential resources you had not considered.
- You invest in yourself to grow: a coach helps you get to the next level, to achieve what you want. And you get there faster. So if you are thinking you’ll invest when you are at the next level, think again. That’s exactly why you need a coach right now. Whatever your goal – more money, a new job, better quality of life etc. – by investing in coaching you are giving yourself the means to uplevel.
- You understand your mindset and change your actions: through skilful questioning you will uncover what is holding you back in your current situation. Why you act like you do. A coach can see the limiting beliefs you don’t easily see. They help you overcome self-sabotage or change some of your thought patterns. The results can be more confidence, taking more risks, improving your relationships or your peace of mind (just to name a few).
- A coach gives you a process and actions: they help you distill through many options and organise your thoughts. They give you specific steps and actions to follow, and hold you accountable. Think of a coach as a mental trainer. So you feel like you are working towards something concrete, and you can see the progress you make.
I trust that the above is sinking in with you as you read it. A lot of it might be new to you. But I know with 100% certainty that all those benefits are real, because I have experienced them myself and my clients do too (you can read testimonials here). So I feel like it is my duty to bring them to your attention, as I want this for you too.
Naturally it matters who you work with as a coach. You need to have a good feeling in your relationship with them. Most coaches offer discovery calls, which allow you to see for yourself. And you need to be ready to show up and commit to do the work. But the magical ingredients are all there for you otherwise. So if you have been wondering about or shying away from coaching, you might be denying yourself a great opportunity. With this in mind, I hope you will take the next step to access whatever it is you dream about.
