Hi everyone!
After mulling over various topics, I’ve settled on one that seems to pique everyone’s interest lately. Before diving deep, I want to clarify that this post reflects my personal views and aims to foster a friendly exchange of ideas. Currently under supervision, I’m at the early stages of my career in this field, and I’m curious to revisit this post in 5-10 years to track how my perspectives might evolve.
Everything I share here either draws from reputable sources or represents my own subjective conclusions—whichever the case, I’ll make it clear throughout.
Thanks for taking the time to read my musings. Your engagement means a lot. Feel free to share your own thoughts, but let’s keep it civil and respectful, adhering to basic Blog comments and moderation.
Let’s kick things off by clarifying who a ‘Coach isn’t’ from an educational standpoint. A Coach isn’t a therapist, mentor, counselor, miracle worker, or someone with all the answers. For a breakdown of the terminology differences, check out this link here.
In essence, a Coach is someone invested in your future, though not at the expense of your past. Unlike therapists who delve into the past to understand the present, a Coach aids you in overcoming barriers hindering your goal achievement, fostering self-awareness and efficiency. Should a client wish to explore deeper past issues, a Coach may suggest seeking therapy (it’s generally discouraged for one individual to assume both roles for the same client). Coaching emphasizes future-oriented focus, steering away from dwelling on the past.
A Coach employs various tools to assist clients in goal attainment, focusing on implementing agreed-upon strategies outside of sessions. What occurs between sessions holds greater significance as clients take tangible steps toward their goals (while sessions aim to strategize future actions).
Crucially, a Coach refrains from providing answers, instead guiding clients through obstacles to cultivate self-growth and autonomy, ultimately reducing dependence on the Coach.
In my practice, I employ a non-directive approach, rooted in psychology, where clients drive their personal development. This approach fosters self-trust and discourages dependency on the Coach, promoting client empowerment.
To sum up, a Coach possesses diverse knowledge of tools and methodologies to aid individuals in goal achievement, offering support in overcoming barriers like procrastination. Beyond goal attainment, a Coach serves as a supportive ally in self-discovery, aiding clients in recognizing their resistances.
A Coach isn’t a ‘winner’ in life, hence not a Life Coach, but rather a Goal Coach—guiding individuals in navigating personal goals. While some may not see the need for a Coach (and that is completely acceptable), others find immense value in the support they offer. Regardless, what unites us as Coaches is the desire to assist.
My parting advice? Schedule a no-obligation ‘get-to-know-you’ session with a Coach to gauge their experience and approach. Trust your instincts in selecting someone who resonates with you for your personal development journey.
Interested in learning more about my practice? Check it out here. 🙂
Thank you for your time.
Ivana
CAREER COACH @ IM Coaching