What is life coaching? And what does a life coach do? Bob Foster - Personal and Business Coach, Bristol 0117 9561162

What is Coaching?

Here is a definition from the International Coach Federation (ICF):

"Coaching is an on-going partnership that helps clients produce
fulfilling results in their personal and professional lives.

Through the process of coaching, clients deepen their learning,
improve their performance, and enhance their quality of life.

Beginning with the clients' desires, coaching uses reporting,
exploring, and a consistent commitment to move the client
forward. It accelerates the clients' progress by providing
greater focus and awareness of choice.

Coaching concentrates on where clients are today and what they are willing to do to get where they want to be tomorrow."

What do you get for your time and money?

Strategies to help you solve problems and enjoy reaching your goals.
New perspectives.
An opportunity to be clear about what you really want out of life.
A partnership: challenging but non-judgemental, caring but business-like, and above all, effective.
The confidence to take whatever action is necessary.
A sounding board for your ideas - a brainstorming partner.

Anyone can benefit from working with a coach. Those that are stuck can become clear; those that are already successful and leading a good life can create something exceptional.

The bottom line is that by working with a coach you can set better goals and reach them faster than if you worked alone.

What coaching won't do for you:

Coaching won't do anything for you if you aren't ready to close the gap between where you are and where you want to be.
Coaching won't be a benefit if you are not open to new ideas and/or ways of doing things that will facilitate positive change.
Coaching is not a reasonable option if you are not financially able to invest in it, and make room in your life to commit to the process.
Coaching won't work for you if what you really need is the help of a therapist. People suffering from severe depression or finding that deeply rooted problems are interfering with life are encouraged to seek therapy.
Coaching won't work for you if you expect the coach to do what you need to do

What can I work on with a coach?

The sky's the limit, but most issues fall within one or other of the following areas:

1) Creating a compelling vision for your future

Goal setting, motivation and purpose. A compelling vision of the future that pulls you forwards, even when you're not feeling too good!

Imagine looking back on your life after, say, 75 years; what would you like to have accomplished? How would you like to be remembered?

2) Decision making and problem solving.

Career change, relocation, family decisions, relationships, finance, and so on. I can help you to make better decisions that are good both for you and for those close to you.

3) Time management and work/home balance.

"I wish I'd spent more time at the office," is not a common epitaph. Do you want to make better use of your time? Time to think, time to be with your children, increased efficiency, more time to relax.

4) Coaching for business owners.

Create a vision for your business that fits with your personal values and goals. Reconnect with the vision that you orginially had. Get more clients, sell more without the stress, stay motivated during the bad times, manage your time better, determine the best balance between work and home, devise a marketing plan that suits your personal and interpersonal style, and determine your best role within your own company.

[ Next: Read about the 'Why use a life coach?' ]

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