The difference between Life Coaching and other therapies is that we (coach)have a different approach and do not believe that a person is broken and needs to be fixed. We believe that a person may be stuck and needs guidance to get from point A to point B.
How does a coach get a person to do so? A coach will require that a client choose up to 3 short term goals for the duration of the term of the treatment. In coaching it is not an open-ended relationship as in other therapies. A client will sign up for a 3 – 6 month cycle with a coach depending on how the coach works. A coach will work towards reaching the goals set forth for that term. We believe that a client is resourceful, creative and whole and has it within to find their own answers. We expect responsibility and accountability and there is no ifs, ands or buts about it. If the client is not committed to the program, does not do their individual home work and work on reaching their goals, the coach will evaluate at the end of the cycle if they wish to continue with the client or not. If the client proves their commitment, then at the end of the cycle depending on whether they feel accomplished and reached their goals, they will choose whether or not to sign up for another cycle of therapy with a new set of short term goals to move forward.
The purpose of choosing short term goals and more so, measurable and attainable goals is that a client can look back and evaluate what they have accomplished in a scheduled time frame. Each small accomplishment encourages them to keep going and move forward. When a client looks back after a few weeks and sees what s/he has accomplished in a a few weeks it empowers them and encourages them to keep going. It is also a huge realization that they did it on their own and neither the coach nor anyone else did it for them. A coach will never “TELL” a client what to do, they will however help the client explore the paths of available options and their conclusions. In other words let’s see if you make this choice and go down that path, what will be the end result….what other options do you have? What will be the end result if you go down the other path? Which works better for you, which one better fits your concept of attaining your goals.
WE also don’t believe in delving into the past. By doing so you just keep repeating the pain of the past and that is not beneficial to anyone. The past is in the past, where do you want to go from here? WE might need to touch on the past to understand what is standing in the way of a client from reaching their goals but then again the onus is on them. OK that was then, what can you do differently to bring about a different outcome and that is what you learn from and use for the future.
OK, that’s a glimpse, I hope it was helpful.