Understanding The Benefits Of Having A Life Coach

By Beryl Dalton


There is a constant flow of advice from the media today prescribing often-facile solutions for complex problems. From television therapists to political figures, the underlying message is that achieving success always requires ever-harder work and more personal sacrifice. Although no one has all the answers, the benefits of having a life coach include genuine help in achieving important personal goals faster and more effectively.

The people performing this job should not be considered psychologists, and do not treat specific mental health issues. Most have been trained and received certification, but the services they provide differ greatly from therapy. The overall goal is to create a platform of support that allows people to achieve personal goals that ideally match their own potential. The services provided are for anyone, not just professionals.

When there is a gap between desired achievement and the realities of day-to-day living, a coach can help. The support provided is not limited to reaching a business or financial goal, but also includes personal solutions helpful in conquering anxieties, building better relationships with others, or making a significant transition to an entirely different career. Coaches help clients define those goals.

The job has been called a type of consulting that transcends the business world. Life coaches differ because they routinely remain close to clients for several weeks, which often stimulates accountability and reinforces the desire to persevere. They commonly help clients focus realistically on making a better salary, developing helpful social skills, or making career advancements.

The primary advantage coaches bring to the table is the wider perspective that exists only when there are no existing emotional influences or difficult-to-overcome personal histories to battle. They can view and assess situations far more objectively, and then provide action options that make success more likely. They very rarely specifically tell people what to say or how to act, but instead present viable choices.

Even though a client may already have a well-defined goal, personal initiative may be lacking. Coaches not only help clarify outcomes, but also provide more meaningful personal motivation for taking continued action. They may encourage the development of useful new skills, and provide support when the inevitable roadblocks or delays cause client frustration. The approach is not punitive, but positive.

Coaches avoid a cookie-cutter approach to solving thorny problems, and realize that each client is unique. There are no lectures regarding actions that must be taken, but more useful advice on how to break free of self-imposed limits. For those who truly want to make changes in the direction of their lives, coaches provide the type of support and guidance that makes real change a reality.

This type of aid provides a realistic way for many individuals to re-align their own priorities, and to better evaluate pathways to achieving the goals that matter personally. While personal independence in thought and action is admired culturally, it can sometimes result in isolation and produce stymied results. Having a personal mentor not only provides a wider perspective, but has already made a difference in the lives of many clients.




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