How to Choose the Right Life Coach for You

“I have learned a lot just by reading books, but having a life coach is different. It was a different perspective crafted for my current situation. After 6 sessions, I was used to being asked how my life is going and evaluating myself as a person who wants to achieve his goals.” – John Elris Villanueva, Haraya client.  

Embarking on a life-changing journey is not one that happens many times in one’s life. No matter what stage in life you’re in, there is always that “something” that sets us back. Whether it’s getting that promotion you’ve always wanted or a roadblock stopping you from pursuing your life-long passion – whatever it may be – it’s always daunting to do this alone! For John, he simply wanted to improve his personal development as he felt burned out at work. With the burn out, he also felt that it was affecting his personal life and so he sought to look for someone to give him advice. 

Thankfully, there are life coaches who are there to walk and guide you through every step of the way. Whatever situation you may find yourself in, hiring a life coach is most beneficial for a lot of people. However, the task of choosing the right life coach may be harder than anticipated. After all, you are going to be entrusting them a huge portion of yourselves, which in reality, is a scary idea for most people. Below we’ve outlined a quick guide to help you choose the right life coach that’s a perfect fit… for you! 

How can a life coach help ME?

Life coaches can help you see things more objectively and help give you a clearer vision of where you want your life to go. They can help equip you with plans to help you reach your desired destination. Think of them as people who are tasked to guide you through the process of achieving your goals and dreams, and trust them to work with you and be your support along the way. 

What do they do?

Speaking with a life coach generally involves being asked meaningful questions in being able to identify what it is that you really want in life. Depending on how the conversation goes, they may probe deeper and learn and discover more about the habits or beliefs that may be holding you back. It is here that they are able to build an action plan with real attainable steps for you to reach your destination. Think of them as your accountability partner – someone who will check on you from time to time to see your progress. 

Finding the right Coach

Many coaches offer a free consultation, which is useful for you to familiarize yourself with who you’ll be talking to before you commit to any further sessions. Make the most out of your first session by asking your coach questions to see if they are a good fit for you. While consultations may differ, it is also the time for the coach to get to know you and what you want to achieve. It was in an orientation session about what a life coach is that John first met Coach Lea, experienced his first session, before he decided that he had come to the right place. Do not hesitate to speak to more than one coach to find one that best matches you. Here are some things to look out for when speaking to a coach for the first time:

Connection

It’s important for you to be comfortable with your life coach just like you’re talking to a friend, however, with professional boundaries. A good coach should be someone who is non-judgemental, a good listener, and is patient in encouraging you. Different people have different styles so it is vital to look for a coach who communicates in the style that suits you – who can present information in the way you understand the most. 

Having great synergy with a coach means that you feel safe with him/her. You don’t feel like you’re clashing in terms of your beliefs or life outlooks. Besides feeling comfortable, check in to see if this is a person whom you feel can challenge you to grow as a person. Do they relate with your situation? Do they share similar values with you? Do they give you the confidence to take on your goal head on? Don’t hesitate to listen to your gut too when it comes to choosing your life coach. Sometimes your gut knows more than your head, so trust what it’s telling you. 

Practices

Each person is going through something uniquely different whether it’s in drama-filled personal relationships, an obstacle in your career, or a cluttered way of organizing your life. Knowing what problem, you want to overcome will also help you in determining the specialty of the coach you will pick. Each coach has different specialties whether it’s in career, health, relationships, and more. 

Do not be afraid to ask them what makes them an expert in their field. It is also important to know this as anyone can easily attach the word “expert” as their job title. A real expert has had experience in their field before whether they have held a position in a corporate job before, or it is their personal area of expertise. 

If it helps, you can list things that are important to you in a coach as you conduct your search to help narrow down your options. 

• Are their age and gender important to you? 
• What kind of experiences do they need to have? 
• What methods and approaches do they use? 
• What are their character, skills, and abilities?

Knowledge and Skills

There are no legal restrictions on who gets to be called a life coach, however there are many training and educational programs and licensing organizations that serve to certify and regulate these coaches. This is mainly in ensuring that the coaching that they do is done professionally and ethically. But how important are their qualifications? 

Truthfully, anyone can be a self-proclaimed life coach. But one quality common among them is that they love what they do and do it well. While having a PhD does not mean they are automatically the best, some have higher education and use this in increasing their ability to help others. 

Someone who just gets you 

The most important thing to look out for after is whether the coach is someone you can simply connect with. Life coaching is not rocket science and it is a personal matter — as you are willing to change the most important aspects of your life. 

John gained a new perspective in his first session with Coach Lea that blew his mind away, giving him a new perspective on things. It was then he knew that he made the right decision. Just like John, the right life coach might just be waiting for you. If you’ve already embarked on your first step of wanting to get a life coach, look no further and maybe find the right coach waiting for you with Haraya Coaching. Reach not just your goals, but also unlock the best version of yourself. Learn how you can be your imaginable with Haraya.