What is a Life Coach?

     I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you all for reading my blog.  It's gratifying to have a following of individuals such as yourself.  And lately I've had quite a few questions from various sources about exactly what a life coach does.  So I thought that I'd take an opportunity honor your questions and explain a little more about my red-headed passion.


     First, it is very exciting!!! No two days are alike.  What coaches do is help take anyone from functional to optimal!! As a coach, I was taught to use principles that come from the new field of Positive Psychology that says that focusing on human strengths instead of failings will create stronger and more productive lives for our clients, as well as, high human potential. Now don't get me wrong. I am NOT a therapist. I do not deal with mental dysfunction or illness. I focus on those who want to create a balanced, fulfilled life.  My favorite quote says, "God doesn't have time to create a nobody...Only a somebody."  And I relish helping people figure out and fulfill their optimum potential.

     I might help people on a short term basis to perhaps gain perspective on a current situation or on a long term basis to achieve a particular goal. I hold them accountable for the steps toward that goal a client chooses to take and I help them overcome the fear and other blocks they will face on that path to fulfilling their dreams.

     Dreams and goals of my clients are as varied as snowflakes. I may coach someone on weight loss or even how to build a new life after leaving an abusive spouse. My practice specializes in dealing with deep blocks to goals by providing a safe, confidential place for clients to voice fears and long buried gremlins so they can examine them and decide what needs to done about them. Then I get to do the Snoopy dance as they succeed!!

     You should know that I'm not the expert on your life... YOU ARE. My job is to help you discover the truth of your own strengths so that you can make empowered decisions about your own life.  But what does that mean.... It means that I listen closely to all you say, I especially listen to what you aren't saying.  I look for patterns in our conversations that give me clues to your authentic self that I can bring forward into to the light for you to enjoy or change as you see fit.

     Just a few things to know about the industry as a whole... Here in the United States,  there is no regulation on specific training required to become a coach so basically anyone can hang a shingle and call themselves a coach. And not all schools have the same standards.  However, there are organizations such as the International Coaching Federation http://www.coachfederation.org/ that set certification standards and ethics in the field. I did attend the accredited school -  Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC) 

http://www.ipeccoaching.com/for my certification. That means I've got excellent training and am bound by a code of ethics in dealing with my clients.


     As a career,(even though my practice isn't as big as I would like yet) I've never been in anything I love more.  I get to do what I love most which is meet new and unique people.  I get to hear their stories and the biggest highlights of my job are when I get to uncover a hidden gem that a client didn't even know they had or when they get clarity on something that has plagued their success time after time. Those "break through" moments take my breath away.  Being a perpetual witness to the successes and changes created by the people that come into my life is really humbling and I can't help being grateful for the privilege.  I have my BIG DREAM and I am happier than I've ever been.