Why You Should Hire a Life Coach

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My personal stance is that life with a "coach" is better.
Chances are if you have a special request or need, there is a coach who also specializes in coaching on that very particular topic. And this is a GOOD thing. What professional coaches share in common TYPICALLY is an understanding of what is the difference between coaching, counseling, mentoring and consulting. Coaches don't do it for you. They do though help you learn to do for yourself what you wish. And that is the best reason to invest in a coach for a short or long time or a lifetime. I can't imagine working and living without a coach in my corner for that special project, or on going desire to be stretched. And I imagine I will work with many wonderful coaches in the years to come. Sharing me with them as they share themselves with me.
And yes, coaching by phone and even email support between calls WORKS for me. And it travels with me and works according to my schedule. So it's the ultimate win-win-win in my book.
And when I think of what I no longer choose to spend energy, time or money on, because of the additional contentment that exists in my life--as I have gotten to know my self better
and gotten better at the things I wanted to master, well that check I write my various coaches is one I look forward to writing each month. Retail therapy is done with more intention and consciously. Business choices are made more proactively and with more commitment.
And I suppsoe at some point I could do well at self-coaching but I suspect I will never be as objective and neutral as the coach I hire is. Accountability within a system of checks and balances is the way I view the relationship I have with my life coach or the marketing coach I engage.
One fine coach and trainer I know refers to coaching as "friendship without the advice" and "a bold individual journey coupled with relationship and community." And where once there was more of coach-like behavior in society and family organically, it's as if the BIG work of professional coaches (however specialized they are) is to re-instill and re-instate this style of communication and relating to work and family and daily living.
My favorite question to answer is what is coaching? And why should I engage one?
Great article to find in such a well-read publication. This indicates to me that "coaching" as a profession and a style of communicating/interacting is becoming potentially more mainstream.
Gratitude!

Deborah Drake of WA 6:33PM August 08, 2009

Coaching is something everyone deserves but few take advantage of. There's nothing like having your own personal champion who makes you make your own decisions, holds you accountable for what you say you'll do and supports you unconditionally. As an independent coach who provides career transition, life and leadership coaching, I have been working with a phenomenal coach who has no-doubt helped move me and my ideas forward. I do the same for my clients, regardless of the issue. And, you can find good coaches for well under $500. It's one of the best ways to grow and aren't you worth it?

Sara Swenson of MN 10:02PM March 08, 2009

There is a world of difference between a "life" coach, a "business coach" and an executive coach. An executive coach who understands what women (or men) need to learn about leadership in order to advance in organizations is an invaluable resource.
Unfortunately, many coaches and leadership development programs focus on what women already do well (interpersonal skills) and not enough in areas where we are consistently rated as underperforming men. The reasons for that are too many to go into here.
At LeadingWomen.biz, those areas are the very ones on which our services for women and companies with internal women's networks/affinity groups, focus.
John A's comment has identified one of those areas: strategic business communications.On the other hand, communicating "like a woman" has many advantages that leadership development programs have tried to teach men for decades - to be inclusive and collaborative, to empower rather than command others and to give credit where deserved rather than claiming it for themselves.

Susan Colantuono, CEO of RI 12:06PM March 07, 2009

Coaching is an investment in YOU! As parents we hire coaches for our kids to help them excel in athletic, music and academics. As adults more and more is expected with in tighter and tighter boundaries. I'm a business/life coach in GR, MI. You can hire a coach here for $100 an hour. Coaching can be done on a Skype or the phone. Knowing how to make good decisions, increasing confidence, learning to say "no" and knowing how/when to delegate are huge advantages in living and working more succesfully! Kudos to USA News for profiling coaching as a way to get through and succeed in 2009. But. . . they needed to expand their research to see that coaching is far more affordable and broad spectrum than what they presented. Check out www.joyousjourney.net for a more affordable nationally available coaching service.

Kathi Jo DeYoung of MI 5:56PM March 06, 2009

If you're feeling incapable as a woman in the workplace these days, you're not alone.
Women executives are at a disadvantage when they communicate "like a woman" in a male-shaped corporate culture, and 81 percent of women now believe that they should consider "adopting a style with which male managers are comfortable."
Communication styles rooted in childhood training or unconscious beliefs can be tough to change. A first step is becoming aware of how you talk at work. Here are some pitfalls that women especially can encounter in the workplace:
--using too many words to deliver serious messages
--downplaying your contributions
--using vague language
--phrasing statements as questions
--using an upward inflection at the end of statements, which indicates doubt.
Working with an executive coach can help you to be clear on the communication style at your level within the company and to confidently practice this style so you will be heard at work.

John Agno of MI 3:30PM March 06, 2009