What actually is coaching?

That is the question I hear the most.

And I get it, 'coaching' is used with a lot of different meanings. The easiest way to help understand what is is, is to look at what it's not.

1. Coaching is not therapy.

Therapy is a wonderful tool and has helped me personally, but it is not coaching.

Therapy tends to deal with the past, where coaching is future focused.

Therapy lives more with thoughts and feelings, coaching with actions and behaviours.

Like therapy, it offers you a safe and confidential space to think and express yourself. Choosing your coach should be like choosing your therapist. Find one that feels like a good fit for you and your needs.

2. Coaching is not like sports coaching.

Your coach will unlikely be at your side for hours a day, analysing your actions for continuous feedback and repeats (if they are, then I hope you pay them well and enjoy this unusual process!)

My style of coaching can be described like guided self-discovery. You actually have the answers and tools within you, I help simply you to unlock them.

Good coaching practice should also work towards mutually agreed goals with agreed accountability built in to help clients who need that extra nudge.

3. Coaching is not a panacea.

Sometimes you may discover that some therapy alongside coaching would help tackle more entrenched issues. A good coach understands the line between a coaching and counselling session and will hopefully have some great contacts to sign post you in the right direction should you need.

4. Coaching is work.

If you engage with a personal trainer at the gym once a week, but fail to go the other 7 days, your fitness goals will take an exceptionally long time (if ever) to be met.

Change is never easy, but nor should it necessarily be difficult. Creating meaningful change by engaging with a coach means taking the learning and actions from your sessions and applying them. Your coach should work with you to assess the results and steer you on your course to success.

Coaching IS....powerful, empowering and rewarding. According to most studies, coaching returns $4 to $8 dollars for every dollar invested (depending on what you're coaching for). Coaching makes a real and measurable difference in people's lives.

Are you ready to discover what coaching can do for you?

Book a free 30 minute discovery call with me to find out.