The Rise In Personal Coaching

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a coach? Athletics? A trainer at the gym? Over the last decade, the personal coaching has grown into a billion-dollar industry. Most modern coaches have nothing to do with athletics or physical fitness, but instead provide coaching services for personal goals—such as career, relationships, and interpersonal goals. Here are a few reasons why this wellness industry is thriving, and why a personal coach may be right for you.

A Solution-Oriented Approach

“Problems cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them.” Albert Einstein

Think back to the exceptional coaches, teachers, and mentors you had as a child—and even as an adult. They weren’t just tenured in their area of expertise, but they opened your eyes to new perspectives. They showed you new ways of doing things. They challenged you, cheered you on, and held you accountable. As an adult, we tend to self-sort ourselves into groups of people with similar life goals and similar mindsets. Even if their goals or perspectives differ and they inspire us by leading by example—they may not be interested in helping us further in our development. If they are interested, they may not have the skills to help us grow. This is where a personal coach can be of benefit.

Coaches offer an unbiased opinion and unlike friends and family, they won’t tell you what you want to hear or tell what to do. A coach will support your goals and provide the guidance and framework to get you there. As in the quote above, a mindset shift is required. Coaches have frameworks they work within to help you create a personalized plan, but they don’t create the plan and solutions for you. They ask questions that challenge your current thought process, help you identify a more expansive range of options, and narrow down the best choices for you depending on your goals. They will push when they feel you are holding yourself back, but they can’t make your decisions for you.

Life Coaches Typically Aren’t Therapists

The majority of life coaches have completed a certified coaching course, typically online. They are individuals who are naturally drawn to helping others, kind of like athletic coaches are naturally drawn to developing athletes. Their approach will be a combination of coaching strategies, intuition, and experience. While some have collegiate psychology education or have transitioned from licensed therapy to coaching, most are not trained therapists. There are benefits to both, so choose a coach with the education and training you are most comfortable with. For example, a life coach may fit into your budget better but a coach who is a licensed therapist may help you dive deeper into root issues. Sometimes a life coach helps you identify an area you need to work on more, which may open the door to working with a therapist as well.

Overcoming Stigmas Surrounding Getting Help

“Everyone needs a coach. We all need people that give us feedback. That’s how we improve.” Bill Gates

It’s unfortunate and counterproductive, but a large portion of society views getting help as a sign of weakness. Whether from a coach or therapist, you may feel a sense of shame for seeking help—but we all require help. This stigma and shame are even more prevalent in minority communities. However, nothing is braver than being vulnerable. You have the right to heal and grow and to find safe spaces to share. Your coach will open your heart and mind and empower you to let go of the past, identify unhealthy patterns, and take accountability so that you stop holding yourself back. If you must, keep your coaching to yourself, not out of shame—but to protect yourself from judgment and unsolicited opinions.

Some of the most successful people work with life coaches, including Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, Hugh Jackman, and Bill Clinton. If coaches can help already successful people level-up, they can help you too!

When To Hire A Life Coach?

“Coaching helps you stop the crazy mind chatter in your head that tells you all the time that you’re not good enough.” Oprah Winfrey

There are countless reasons to work with a coach, all of which are related to positive change. Even during the major layoffs of the pandemic, career coaching is thriving. Many are taking this as an opportunity to shift gears, finally launch their dream business, or utilize a coach to help them stand out from the competition. Or maybe you’ve been going it alone reading self-help and development books but aren’t able to make change stick. Or maybe you’ve achieved a major success and are feeling overwhelmed, struggling with imposter syndrome, or need guidance on how to navigate your new success. A coach can help with that and more:

1. You feel stuck or you don’t feel stuck but aren’t sure what’s next
2. You’re navigating a major life event—positive or negative
3. You are ready to grow
4. You’ve tried going it alone without success
5. You are ready to break an unhealthy habit or pattern
6. You feel unfulfilled in your career, relationships, or personal life
7. You’ve realized you don’t feel worthy of more
8. You lack the self-esteem to pursue your dreams
9. You want to identify your purpose
10. Your schedule is jam-packed but you feel unfulfilled

Identifying The Right Coach

Like everything else, not every coach will be the right fit for you. Life coaches can be local or virtual so explore your options, focusing on a coach who specializes in your area of desired expertise. While “catch-all” coaching was initially popular, most coaches have a few areas of focus. For example, not just a career coach but an industry-specific coach or a coach who helps you create a digital business model. Or a relationship coach who specializes in breaking the cycle of always dating the same type of unhealthy person.

Your coach also needs to be someone you feel comfortable opening up to about personal issues you may not discuss with anyone, or only with your nearest and dearest. Even a career coach will work on the self-limiting beliefs and mindsets that are holding you back from the career of your dreams—which are often rooted in familial and societal mindsets we adopted as a child.

Different Types Of Coaching

Finally, there are a few different types of coaching to choose from. The most intensive option is to purchase a package with one-on-one live or virtual sessions. One or two isn’t enough, so commit to a minimum number of sessions. The next option is self-study programs where a coach has created a signature program for a targeted area of change. This is often a mix of videos, workbooks, and exercises completed over the course of 4 or more weeks. The third option is a hybrid where you combine solo or group sessions with a coach but also work independently. One-on-one is typically the most expensive but depending on the group coaching and solo study can be costly if your coach is highly revered. Not to worry, as you can find an outstanding coach for $50 to $100 per session—less for self-guided programs.

Many coaches offer a free consultation, eBook, or video so that you can get an idea of their style. As you navigate life change Holmes Organics CBD can help you relax and unwind. Here’s to your ongoing growth and development!