Are you at a crossroads and unsure about what your next move should be? Or perhaps you’re looking for some support or guidance to get you through a difficult situation? If so, it’s likely you may have thought about getting a coach.
But like many people you may have wondered whether a coach could really help you or whether your individual circumstances mean that you’re a ‘lost cause’.
The truth is no one is a lost cause and there are many different types and styles of coaching available that could make a positive difference to you.
These include life coaching, performance coaching, business coaching, and many more. Read about the different types of coaching available here.
At Brighter Thinking, I specialise in executive coaching – helping business leaders gain clarity and overcome self-sabotaging beliefs so they can maximise their potential. But most coaches – whatever their specialism – can help you in some of the following ways:
They can help you achieve your goals
Whether it’s gaining a promotion at work, achieving a better work-life balance, being recognised for your achievements, or knowing how to manage a business or staff better, the right coach can help. Most will work with you over a course of weeks or months (or on an ongoing basis) to overcome obstacles and create a clear pathway for you to achieve your goals.
However, it’s important to make sure you’re using the right type of coach for what you want to achieve. A life coach, for example, may be perfect for helping you boost your emotional wellbeing, whilst a business coach will be right for those looking to grow their organisation.
They can make you realise what you’re capable of
Self-doubt and limiting beliefs can prevent anyone from achieving what they’re capable of. A coach can work with you to change your mindset and overcome self-sabotaging thoughts that may be holding you back.
Most people are more capable at doing things and achieving greater success than they ever thought possible. A great coach will help you see what you’re capable of based on your unique talents and experiences.
They can help you gain self-confidence and self-esteem
Low self-confidence and esteem are sadly common in today’s world, with many people believing they are not worthy – or have the skills and knowledge – to achieve success (whatever that success may be). A coach can help you recognise and overcome doubts that you may have and celebrate the wonderful things about you that make you unique and special.
They can help you gain clarity and see a way forward
Most people, whether in their professional or personal lives, sometimes feel confused about their next steps or how to achieve their goals. An experienced coach will become your trusted and objective sounding board and will help you gain clarity on what you want to achieve (both in the short and longer term), and will work with you to plot a way forward.
Many people get ‘caught up’ in their day-to-day activities and lose sight of the things that are truly important to them. A coach can help you ‘clear the clutter’ and focus on your individual life or professional goals.
They can help you improve and develop your relationships
When we have things on our mind or are concerned about some aspects of our life, it’s no surprise that our personal and professional relationships suffer. The right coach will help you gain perspective on the circumstances or situation you’re in, and help you focus on the things that matter most, including your relationships with the people around you.
Coaching has been proven time and again to powerfully help individuals whatever their personal objectives and ambitions. In fact, a study by the world-leading International Coaching Federation (ICF) found that more than 80% of people who had coaching had greater self-confidence as a result, whilst 70% reported more effective communications, relationships, and better work performance.
So can a coach help you?
The short answer is yes, coaching is effective in helping people from all walks of life from all backgrounds and circumstances.
However (and this is key!), the impact of coaching on you depends on a range of factors that shouldn’t be underestimated.
These include how open you are to trusting someone else with your challenges and issues, your particular objectives and goals, and above all, the quality of the coach you use. As discussed in our previous article about how to find the right executive coach for you, anyone can call themselves a coach, regardless of what level of skills, experience, and qualifications they have (or don’t have as the case may be).
The most effective coaches will have ‘real world’ experience and will have undergone training in coaching by a recognised body, leading to a professional accreditation by an industry body such as the ICF.
In addition to being a Professional Certified Coach (accredited by the ICF), I am an expert in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), with a deep understanding of neuroscience and how the brain really works. I was also the first person in the world to be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in the Neuroscience of Leadership (amongst other professional credentials and qualifications).
My clients know that the executive coaching that I provide delivers results.
The costs of coaching
Of course, for many people, whether they have coaching or not depends on the costs involved.
There are many factors that go into how much a coach charges for their services – which may be ad-hoc sessions when needed to a dedicated programme or course of sessions over a set time period – which I explain in the article ‘How much does coaching cost’.
Conclusion
Coaching is a powerful tool that can help individuals at any stage of their life or career. The key is to find the right coach for you that specialises in the area or areas that you want to focus on. And once you do, make sure to check their client testimonials and ask about their qualifications, credentials, and experience.
