What is Life Coaching? by Elaine Fessey

Life Coaching began in California in the early 1980's. An accountant named Thomas Leonard discovered that clients coming to him for financial advice actually needed  advice to resolve other areas in their lives. He formed The International Coaching Federation in Houston, Texas. The I.C.F says "coaching is an ongoing partnership that helps clients produce fulfilling results in their personal lives. Through the process of coaching clients deepen their learning, improve their performance and enhance their quality of life".
 
Coaching is a conversation between two people, a coach and a client. The client may wish to make a change to their external world of money, cars and business. To achieve this they must understand their internal world of self limiting beliefs, fear emotions and negative self image. Changes made internally may then manifest externally into the clients environment. A coach must build rapport and trust with their client to enable them to explore these areas in depth. Although most people are eligible for coaching there are contra indications for anyone who is mentally unstable, has an addiction, has suffered abuse or is in severe financial difficulty. These clients must be referred to a specialist. A life coach is able to identify and release a clients true potential, enabling them to make major positive improvements to their lives.
  
Coaching is firmly rooted in the here and now. Although the past is important it,s events must not be blamed for failure in the present or future.  The past may be viewed holistically, and inherited self esteem and negative self beliefs worked through with the coach. Coaching is really about moving the client forward from a stable base . The emphasis is on releasing outdated self beliefs thus moving the whole person forward. The client finds their own way, the coach simply equips them with tools and learning experiences that boost their confidence and an awareness of their own potential. Many talented people feel they must remain in their situation even though they aspire to much greater things.

In order to identify and achieve these aspirations a life coach will help the client to prioritise their goals and then achieve them. In the process other areas emerge to be looked at, e.g. a client who wishes to start their own business will need to investigate other areas in order to achieve their goal. Their fitness levels, health, relationships and focus will also be improved to balance their work/life balance. A client may achieve their goal of starting their own business but the coach has done them no service if they only focus on this. They may work too many hours, neglect their family and health and end up in crisis. Therefore life coaching must be holistic, focussing on the here and now, looking into the past for hints of self limiting beliefs and then moving onto a balanced successful future.
  
The coach must always be upbeat and positive, supportive and directive, without telling the client what to do. They discover the answers for themselves and do all of the hard work assisted by coaching exercises and the analysing of obstacles. A coach provides support and motivation encouragement and  structure. They may challenge particular values through constructive feedback but never tell the client what to do. They are not mentors. The client will
discover that they have choices and  what they want is within their reach, as long as they are committed to going through the sometimes scary process of change. The client must trust the coach to be fair and empathic and non judgemental, it is a partnership.
 
An effective coach must develop rapport, helping the client to relax out of their public persona and discuss inner thoughts and vulnerabilities honestly. The coach must have integrity , honesty have a genuine interest in their client and be appropriately positive while still maintaining a professional distance.
 
Confidentiality is important to maintain trust and anything discussed will be listened to keenly. Active listening means constantly analysing and keeping notes whilst giving positive attention.
 
Coaches use a "toolbox" of exercises and visualisations to help their client achieve personal goals. Reframing a situation turns negative assumptions into positive outcomes. Visualisation exercises help a client identify needs and wants. Encouraging creativity and imagination will allow breakthroughs and solutions. Practical exercises like those used in Cognitive behavioural therapy encourage the elimination of fear or "false expectations appearing real". Time spent in the discomfort zone is very powerful. Allowing clients to recognise the reality of their fears helps them make better life choices, one of those being the decision to change.
 
The models I CAN DO and I GROW organise a framework for the coach to work within keeping both parties interested and focussed.
 
Time management is essential for short or long term goal setting, organising and compartmentalising the time available to us. Tools for the client include diary keeping, calendars, post it stickers as reminders and lists.

Affirmations reinforce positive thinking, determination and courage. SWOT analysis of life as it currently is defines how to use each strength, stop each weakness, exploit each opportunity and defend against threats, internally and externally.
 
Neuro-Linguistic Programming assists in personal development, creativity, communication and learning skills enhancing performance.
 
Life   coaching has a strict code of conduct. Whether working one to one or in a group setting, from a private practice or within a corporate setting, life coaching achieves results in personal and professional lives, encouraging success, satisfaction, personal growth and achievement.

Copyright 2009 Elaine Fessey

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