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Choosing a Life Coach
The life coaching profession has absolutely boomed in recent years. As more and more people flock to tightly-booked coaches, those interested in helping others realize their goals are finding an opportunity of their own.
However, the growth in the coach pool has brought with it some confusion and uncertainty as to who has the clout, and who's operating as a fraud in a fairly unregulated business.
When choosing a life coach, you'll likely witness a wide spectrum of experience, skills, and even types of coaches. If you're looking to improve on your career, you may want to seek out a professional coach (also sometimes known as a career coach or, in certain cases, an executive coach). If you're looking to improve your health, you might seek out a wellness coach. However, for a more general approach (often encompassing all of the above areas) you will simply want to find a good, experienced life coach.
The first thing to look at when choosing a life coach is their level of experience. In such a young field, many life coaches can claim to be experts, but sometimes will have had no formal training at all (believe me, I've seen it). Ask your prospective coach what kind of certification they have. The main institutions which offer certification to coaches are the ICF (International Coaching Federation), the IAC (International Association of Coaching), and Coachville. These institutions also certify their coaches using experience levels. For example, a coach who is certified through ICF could be an Associate, Professional, or Master Certified Coach. The coaching industry is currently a lot like the airline industry: you get certified by how many hours you've logged. Thus, you will get more experience and know-how from the Master Coach, but it will come at a price. If the coach is certified at all, it would be prudent to talk with them about whether or not they are skilled enough to handle your needs, as many times an Associate Coach will be just as helpful as a Master, but with less hours logged. It may save you some money!
Besides the experience they've gained from training, talk to your prospective coach about cases they've handled before that are similar to yours. If they've successfully helped others like you, chances are they'll be a good fit. If they seem a bit perplexed by your situation, it may be best to look elsewhere.
One important aspect that is often overlooked is to ensure you're comfortable with the coach of your choosing. If you have trouble communicating with him/her, for any reason, you may do well to go elsewhere. Your coach should feel like a friend, as they are there to help you and guide you. Don't underestimate the value of a good rapport.
Finally, make sure to have a solid understanding of the fee structure. Coaches will have varied prices depending on their experience and client demand, but you should not fall prey to any price that is too low or too high. Too low and you'll likely get an inexperienced, untrained Joe Blow. Too high and, well, you'll just be getting ripped off!
If it's taken this long to explain the methods of finding a reputable coach, you can imagine what kind of time it may take to actually FIND one. Choosing a coach isn't always fun, and can take some hard work.
This is where a brand new system comes in. At Masterful Living, they've taken all the guess work out of finding a good coach and have hand-picked the best coaches in North America to represent them. What's more, this system is unique and groundbreaking in that is carried out entirely online! They've essentially provided a one-stop shop for all things coaching. You pick out a coach (you can read about their qualifications, see their photo, and even get a glimpse of their personalities), set an appointment, and return at the agreed upon time to meet your coach in a secure, private chat room. It really is that easy. Masterful Living has taken a LOT of the guesswork out of hiring a life coach, and they also offer nutritionists, professional coaches, personal trainers, and even yoga instructors! Check it out before choosing a life coach, you'll be glad you did.
In fact, it kind of makes me wonder why I went to the trouble of writing this whole article...
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