Whether you are an entrepreneur or established business person, there comes a time when you feel stuck and have no idea what next step to take. You might find yourself slowly slipping into depression as you watch your dreams fade out of your grip. While these situations can be devastating, most people don’t realize that the solution could be as simple as working with a life coach. While just saying the words sounds easy enough, the hurdle isn’t finding a life coach, it’s finding the right life coach. The right life coach will be someone who understands your unique needs and can offer expertise to help you be successful. Although it may seem like finding your match is like looking for a needle in a haystack, there a few questions to consider before you start your search for the right person.
What are my goals?
The first mistake people make is thinking that their whole life needs coaching. That is why specificity matters. What exactly do you need coaching support in? Whether you’re looking to be a better business leader or want to develop a more personal relationship with your employees, it is important to know what you want. That way your potential life coaches will be able to tell you how they can help. Although your life coach can certainly help you figure out the details and the process of accomplishing your goals, it is important to know where you want to start.
Do we have chemistry?
As much as experience and expertise matters when choosing the right life coach, compatibility gets a top priority. If you don’t click, you are going to find it hard getting the experience you are looking for. Engage in a “Chemistry Session” where you solely focus on the chemistry between you and your future coach. How does this life coach make you feel? Excited? Inspired? Bored? Do they possess the kind of personality that you admire? Do they make it easy for you to trust them and pour out your feelings more readily? If after this “Chemistry Session” you don’t feel that they are the right life coach for you, feel free to walk away. You know yourself better than anyone and can determine if it’s going to work out in the long run.
Is this person qualified to give me coaching about my life?
You might often be told that a life coach doesn’t have to go to school or get training. The truth is, a life coach with relevant academic qualifications and experience is the best and will, in the end, be the most helpful. Would you let someone fix your car if all they have done is read a book on mechanics? The answer is no, you wouldn’t. Unlike your car, when it comes to your life, you only get one and the stakes are much higher. If your future coach has a degree or has received an award in human relations, psychology, or other affiliated fields, they will be tremendously more qualified. Having certifications and awards from recognized institutions is also nice in that they validate their work. They should have experience in implementing famous life coach methods and techniques that are proven to work. The right coach should be able to identify patterns of behavior and emotional intelligence to build trust and deliver the desired results.
How do I know if this person will deliver on what they promised?
One way to gauge if a life coach is a right fit for you is by looking at their previous clients. If you know someone that has previously used their services, talk to them and ask whether if they were attentive and followed through with their goals. If you don’t know of anybody that has worked with this life coach before, visit their website and social media profiles and go through their testimonials. Most of these will give you an insight into the kind of person your prospective life coach is. Ask friends, family and business partners if they have any referrals they would recommend.
Does they have credibility?
Apart from setting a personal meeting, look at how often your target coach appears on the media and how much relevant work they have published. This can also help you make an informed decision. Reading their publications and media interviews will give you a glimpse into their thought leadership. You will be able to gauge their authority and credibility from the way they discuss popular life issues. If you feel a connection after reading their work and watching their videos, you have found a prospective life coach.
In a recent interview, Dr. Young stated, “I know what it’s like to work twice as hard only to be seen as half as good. Nothing can stop an individual who is well coached, well-prepared, and who possesses a made up mind. I am proof that anyone who lives their brand and operates in a spirit of excellence will silence the worst of naysayers. Unfortunately, the hardest voice to silence is often the one from within and that’s what I’ve mastered,” states Young. To learn more about Dr.D click here.