These days, we tend to think we are the masters of our problems and because of that we should solve them ourselves. We often believe that if we land the dream job, live in the best city and have the perfect relationship, everything will work out well. But as it happens, some people struggle to meet these expectations. That’s where a qualified life coach comes in.
What is a life coach?
Put simply, a life coach gives people the confidence and strategies to move forward in the areas of their lives where they long for change. Life coaching is about addressing obstacles and creating the ideal environment in which those changes can take place. Focussing on the present, coaching is a holistic approach which sets goals for a successful future.
While you might think that life coaches support only adults, the same practice can be applied to children. If you are a parent you will know that a large part of parenting is supporting your child to reach their full potential, unveiling their passions and goals and helping them work towards their paths to success. And while all of this can be effective, think about how goal-setting can help young children begin to develop personal skills to deal with resilience, overcome failure, encourage them to problem-solve, collaborate with others and much more.
Why is life coaching becoming so popular?
When you feel stuck, need a new approach or change, a coach can help you make significant changes in your life. A coach will push you past your limiting beliefs and help you see your blind spots.
But why has this multi-billion dollar industry grown so much in the past decade? Firstly, according to the International Coaching Federation 2016 study, 99% of people surveyed were satisfied with their coaching experience, while 96% stated they would repeat the process. And a Manchester Consulting Group study of Fortune 100 executives claimed that coaching generated a return on investment of almost six times the program cost.
Secondly, there is a coach for almost every aspect of your life whether it be your relationship, finances, health, productivity or career. Your options are almost endless when you choose a coach whose certification and specialty match your needs.
Lastly, we have the internet to thank. With geography no longer a factor when selecting a coach, we can now video chat and email which provide a similar experience to meeting in person.
How does a life coach benefit you?
Life coaches act as catalysts for their clients by guiding them through the steps to their destination. And today, as lives become more hectic and complex, more and more people are recognising the need for self-improvement to live a fulfilling life.
A coach will help you become the best you can be whether that be at work, at home or in relationships. They can help give you the confidence you need to live a happy and successful life by being your guide and mentor. While all clients’ goals are different, a life coach will push you in the right direction to help you work out what you want from life. They will also motivate you to reach your full potential so you can achieve your goals.
How does coaching work?
A life coach might start by asking you a series of questions designed to help you identify what you really want out of life. And then they might ask you to pinpoint what habits or beliefs are preventing you from achieving your goals. Together, you will develop an action plan with a series of steps designed to push you towards your goals.
Child coaching works in a similar way. A child coach might teach the child how to reach goals and solve problems by providing them with tools and weekly goals to achieve. As an adult coach does, a child coach focuses on every area of the child’s life – mindset, family, school, nutrition and physical activity – because these can impact a child’s mental state and behaviours.
What should you look for in a life coach?
The first thing you should do is ask yourself what area of your life you are looking to improve. Do you want to lose weight? Do you want a different career? Or do you want to improve your relationships? Be cautious about life coaches who claim they can solve anything in your life, from coping with divorce to helping you lose weight. Great coaches will usually have additional skills from previous careers and education. For example, a coach helping you to lose weight might once have been a nutritionist.
Another very important aspect to look for is the coach’s qualifications. While in Australia, coaches do not require any formal or academic qualifications, clients look more favourably on those who have an industry specific qualification. So, do not be afraid to ask your potential coach what qualifications they have and how they are an expert in their field.
And then there is the chemistry between you and your coach. All relationships are unique. You want to be able to place trust in your coach and not feel as though they are giving you a seminar or presentation. Your coach should be able to show you that they are genuine and authentic. It is this authenticity that will gain your trust in your life coach.
Child Mental Health Coach – Katerina Dominguez
Katerina Dominguez is a child mental health coach whose true passion lies in coaching and helping children. A qualified Robbins-Madanes Strategic Interventionist (SI) Coach with a Certificate in Child Psychology, Katerina started out her career as a child mental health coach and went onto being a Certified Relax Kids Coach. She was not new to coaching though. Katerina held managerial roles for more than 15 years. It was during this time that she watched people in their early twenties suffer from insecurities, anxiety, low self-esteem and depression. And so, she started questioning why these young people were not happy and enjoying life. Her inquisitiveness and passion led her to become the highly sought-after child coach she is today.
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