So, you’re considering a career as a life coach – congratulations! Life coaching is a thriving industry that attracts those who care about helping people and want to make a difference in the lives of others. At Life Purpose Institute, we have trained over 7,000 coaches over the years so we know that the decision to become a coach can be a big one. Many potential coaches wonder if they will feel the personal fulfillment that they hope they’ll find in a helping profession like coaching.
If you are questioning whether this is the right career path for you, that’s great! It’s smart to seriously consider the pros and cons of coaching before going full steam ahead into a coaching certification program. Whether you are just starting out in a career or transitioning to a new career, many potential coaches want to know:
- What type of person makes a good life coach?
- What can I expect as a life coach?
- How will I start a life coaching business?
Is a Life Coaching Career for You?
In this post, we are going to dive a little deeper into the question “Who makes a good life coach?” But first, let’s explore some of the more general reasons why people choose a career as a coach.
Desire to Help Others
Many people choose to become a coach because they have a strong desire to help and be of service to other people. Life coaching in particular is a profession that allows coaches to support their clients with the most difficult challenges and blocks that hold them back. A coach challenges clients to break out of their negative patterns and holds them accountable to the goals they have set for themselves. A coach can help people make tangible progress in their lives -and actually see the results of their efforts.
Flexibility
Although a large percentage of coaching is done in person, the coaching model allows for a great deal of flexibility. Many coaches choose to work on their own from a home office using the phone or virtual tools to meet with clients. Because of this, coaches are not tied to a specific geographic area. As business owners, coaches can decide how many clients they want to take on at a time and what their schedules will look like. For those with families or other obligations, coaching gives them options to make their lifestyle work.
A Client Centered Model
Coaches are cheerleaders, accountability partners and friendly motivators for their clients. Coaches are not therapists and will not do the work for their clients. The coaching model in general puts the power in the hands of the client. This creates a really supportive, team-focused environment that many professionals don’t find in other career fields.
What makes a successful life coach?
If the reasons above intrigue you, you might be on the right track by exploring life coaching as a career. The next step is to determine if you possess or have the ability to develop some of the most important qualities of a successful coach. There are an endless number of traits that would make a person successful as a coach, and by no means are these qualities set in stone. However, there are some things that almost all of the greatest coaches have in common.
- Effective verbal communication skills
- The ability to listen and interpret
- The ability to ask really good questions
- Empathy
- Positivity
- A genuine curiosity and interest in people
Becoming a Life Coach
Coaches come from all walks of life and a variety of educational and professional backgrounds. There is no specific formula for becoming a successful coach. The best coaches are those who use their unique experiences and innate abilities to act as catalysts for their clients to make positive life changes.
In addition to everything mentioned here, it is key to develop the right coaching skills. The best way to get the educational tools to coach is to get a life coaching certification from an accredited institution. At Life Purpose Institute, we provide coaches with the most comprehensive and personalized training programs available today. The variety of instructional formats we offer makes learning convenient for anyone who is interested in becoming a life coach.
If you would like more information about life coaching as a career or the programs that we offer at Life Purpose Institute, contact our team today. We would be happy to answer any of your questions about coaching and provide information on how you can get started on your new career.