In today’s blog post I am going to cover some things you can do to get the most out of hiring a life coach. I will begin with some questions to ask yourself before hiring a life coach. Then I will follow up with some things to do during the coaching process.
So let’s begin:
Questions to ask yourself before hiring a life coach
What do you want?
Self-reflection is a big part of the life coaching journey. A life coach is not going to give you the answers. They are going to ask you questions and guide you. You will have to do the deep dive into your heart and decide what you want. Your answer to this question will guide the direction for the life coaching process.
Are you willing to change?
Nothing will change if you are not willing to change.
“What you get by reaching your destination isn’t nearly as important as what you become by reaching that destination.”
Zig Ziglar
Reaching your goal will require that you change. However it is through the process of changing that you become the person who is able to accomplish the goal or have the thing.
“Everything you want it just outside your comfort zone. If it wasn’t, you would already have it”
Jack Canfield
This is so true. Both quotes point out the importance of change as a process to reach any goal. Change can be hard. Change can be scary. However, with a clear vision of where you are headed, change can be exciting and wonderful. A life coach can help to hold the vision for you during the hard parts.
Are you willing to be challenged?
A Life Coach is not your friend or your mom. They are not going to tell you want you want to hear and make you feel good. Their job is to hold up a mirror and show you what you need to see about yourself. Sometimes this is painful. Sometimes it is empowering. But it always opens a door to a place that you only wished was possible.
Do you want to be free?
If you want to be coddled and hold on to all of your bad habits, then you should save your money and buy some wine. But if you want to break free from the habits and fears that are holding you hostage then a life coach might be right for you.
Freedom to choose a different path. Freedom to choose a different outcome. This can be hard work and fear is sure to raise it’s ugly head. A coach’s job is to help you make the changes you want to make. Sometimes this is by sharing truth. Sometimes this is by helping you overcome hurtles. It is always walking beside you along the journey.
Are you willing to put in the work?
Life coaching is a partnership where both partners need to do their part. The coach will bring the tools, the questions, and the insght. You will need to bring the openness, the flexibility to try new things, and the commitment to work the process. You will need to be open and honest, vulnerable even. You will have to do the self-reflection necessary to open new doors of possibility. You will need to do the work to overcome years of habits and inertia. Plainly said you will need to do the work!
What are you willing to give up?
In order to make a life change you will be required to give up something. Initially, you will need to create some space to self-reflect to figure out what you really want. Then, depending on the change you want to make, you might have to give up:
- Habits: What are you doing that is not serving you and moving you forward.
- Time : This might mean cutting ties with people who drain your energy or giving up binging Netflix. You might have to give up activities you enjoy. You will need to rearrange your time to make room for the new you to emerge. The new project to come to fruition.
- Money: You may need to cut expenses in areas that are less important to create cash to apply towards your dream
- Things that use or drain your energy: You only have so much energy so this energy will need to be reallocated to include your new endeavor.
Are you ready to say yes to yourself?
How long will you go on wishing that life was different?
How long will soldier through to make everyone else happy?
Is it time to take care of you yet?
Is it time to realize your dreams?
If not now, then when will you be able to seek your wants, needs and desires?
If today is the day where you decide to say yes to yourself then I would like to offer you a free Life Coaching Session. This will be a time for you to get clarity around what you want and see the next step in your journey. There is no cost or obligation. No strings attached. We will explore if I am a good fit for you and if you are in a place where coaching is right for you.
How to get the most out of hiring a life coach
So once you hire a life coach the adventure and the hard work begins. The following tips will help you make progress towards your goals faster and easier!
Remain open to change
If you do what you’ve always done, you will get what you’ve always gotten. The old adage is so true. Change is a part of life. Change is coming whether you want it to or not. Remembering that the life coaching process is about seeing things in a new way. It is about trying new actions to see how they work out in your life. Your coach is there to support you along your journey.
Take time for self reflection:
Life coaching can be an unfolding experience. As you see things in a different light and try new things, there will be consequeses of those actions. Taking time during the process for self reflection and checking in with yourself is really key. It will aid effectively moving through this process. You will want to identify and gain clarity around what you want to accomplish. You will also want to be able to articulate what is not working in your life. Self refection is the key to this information.
Keep a journal
A journal is a great way to capture your thoughts and to be able to look back and see your progress. The process of journaling your thoughts can create new insights that can aid in great leaps of progress. When the journey gets hard, and it probably will, a journal can be the place to release emotions and frustration. A journal can be a great place to record creative ideas. This is your space to record your thoughts.
Create space for the change to happen
Intentionally creating change in your life is going to require time and effort on your part. One of the things you can do is to create some room for this to happen.
Is there anything that you are doing that you can stop doing?
Is there anything that used to be fun but isn’t any more? Can you stop doing that?
Are there friends in your life that suck your time and energy without filling you up? Can you disengage from these relationships or put boundaries on them?
Do you have items in your life that are incomplete? Do you need to put away a box or declutter the kitchen counter? Do you need to send an email or file your taxes. Make a list of all the items in your life that need to be done and start to work on completing them. Review the list to see if some of these items just be dropped and not done at all?
The idea here is to clear the clutter in your life and in your schedule to create room to take the actions to accomplish your most important goals.
“Saying NO to the wrong things creates space to say YES to the right things”
Mack Story
Be open to feedback
As I said before your coach isn’t here to be your friend. They are there to ask questions and guide you. There undoubtedly will be feedback during this process. You will also get feedback from your family, friends and co-workers as you make changes that affect them. You will want to keep an open mind and listen to their feedback. Then you can decide how you want to react to this feedback. Are there concerns valid and helpful. Are they afraid of the changes you are making and how it will affect them? Feedback is information that can guide you along your path.
Have great expectations when hiring a life coach
We often get what we expect in life. We all know people who worry and stew. Is this the person you want to be? You signed up for life coaching for a reason. Embrace that reason. See yourself becoming the person you need to be to have that vision of what your life could look like.
No matter where you are now, whatever you can conceive and believe, you can achieve.
Napoleon Hill
If you are ready to make changes in your life and reach for your dream, I would love to visit with you. I would like to offer you a free coaching session. In the session we will talk about what you are wanting to do and help you get clarity about your next steps.
Other blog posts you might be interested in are 6 Reasons to Hire a Life Coach and 6 Myths About Life Coaching.
Keep Dream’n
