Frequently Asked Questions About Life Coaching

If you have already read a little about me you will know that I am a straight shooter, I tell it like it is, and I am also really passionate about people and coaching them. I love what I do! It is because of that passion that I could talk about coaching from dawn until dusk but I also know that you may not be any closer to understanding what coaching really is. Like so many things in life, the best way to learn about coaching is to experience it. That’s why most coaches, including myself, will offer a complimentary session, because we want you to get it! So please take advantage of my complimentary session.

For those of you who want to read more before experiencing coaching please read on. In honour of your time, I have set up my Frequently Asked Questions with a straight to the heart of the matter short answer and in some cases a long answer with a little more clarification…

What is professional life coaching?

Life coaching is a partnership between a professionally trained life coach (me) and a client (you) designed to gain clarity on your values and goals, remove whatever is holding you back, maximize your potential, and ultimately create a fulfilling life that you love.

International Coaches Federation defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential, which is particularly important in today’s uncertain and complex environment. Coaches honor the client as the expert in his or her life and work and believe every client is creative, resourceful and whole. Standing on this foundation, the coach’s responsibility is to:

  • Discover, clarify, and align with what the client wants to achieve
  • Encourage client self-discovery
  • Elicit client-generated solutions and strategies
  • Hold the client responsible and accountable

This process helps clients dramatically improve their outlook on work and life, while improving their leadership skills and unlocking their potential.

How is coaching different from other professions like therapy and consulting?

Therapy tends to explore feelings and experiences related to past events. Coaching is present and future focused, the coach meets the client where they are currently at in their life and looks to the future to sets goals and make a plan.

Consultants are specialists, typically hired for their expertise in a certain area. They diagnose a problem and provide solutions. Coaching is client focused and client driven. It’s a collaborative partnership where the client is the expert, not the coach.

Who is coaching for? How do I know if life coaching is for me?

Coaching is for anyone who wants to make positive change in their life.

You will know if life coaching is for you once you have experienced it! Here are some reasons you might like to enter into a coaching partnership:

  • You are going through a big life transition
  • You are tired of feeling unhappy, resentful, overwhelmed and exhausted
  • You are searching for your life purpose
  • You like your life, but in your heart you know there is something missing
  • You are at a crossroads with some big decisions to make
  • You are looking for ways to make your life easier
  • You want to maximize your potential and live a fulfilled life

How do I know if I am ready for coaching?

Having a “pretty good” life isn’t enough anymore, you are ready to do what it takes to create a life you love.

What are the benefits of life coaching?

Be your best you and live your best life

Although my clients are all very unique individuals, they have reported some similar changes to their lives as a result of coaching with me.

More:

  • Understanding of what’s important
  • Connected to personal strengths & core values
  • Confidence making decisions
  • Motivated to make positive change
  • Enriched relationships
  • Balance
  • Success

Less:

  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Confusion
  • Fear

How do I know if I have found the “right” coach for me?

You’ll just know!

That’s a fantastic question! Most coaches will offer a free sample session. Take them up on that! The best way to find out if you are a good fit with a coach is to try out a few and then ask yourself:

  • Who did I resonate with the most?
  • Who am I really looking forward to connecting with again?
  • Who did I feel the most comfortable with?
  • Who do I feel will be the best choice to help me achieve my life’s vision?

What will you expect from me?

To Show Up!

• To have an open mind

• To be ready to ask for more of yourself

• To be willing to look at things from a new perspective

• To step into your own power

• To have an open mind

• To be honest

• To be yourself

What areas of your life is coaching good for?

All areas.

I have coached people who have shown up with a goal to accomplish, a problem to solve, a relationship to improve, etc., and I have coached people who had no preconceived agenda. Whether you have specific areas you want to focus on or not I find that everyone has thoughts, actions, ways of being that are running interference on their path to greatness in any or all areas of life.

Do I need to have a huge goal or big problem?

No, don’t be silly.

No. See my long answer to the last question above. Feeling lost or confused about the direction you want to go can be the perfect place to start. Sometimes it’s the little things in life that eat away at us and prevent us from being able to ask those bigger questions. The smallest things are consuming our thoughts and preventing us from asking ourselves what we really want. The big picture. Our life purpose.

What if I don’t want to “go there”?

Then we won’t!

You are in the driver’s seat. If something makes you uncomfortable to explore and you aren’t ready to be uncomfortable then you can drive away. I may throw up a stop sign and get you to just hang out and acknowledge what you’re feeling for just a moment but then you can be on your way. Eventually you will want to “go there.”

How often will we meet?

My minimum commitment after the free consultation is twelve sessions.

In order to evoke transformation in your life you need to be all in. I require an initial level of commitment of twelve sessions. These twelve sessions can be set up as follows:

  • Twice a month for six months, or
  • Once a week for three months

What is the format?

Initial commitment is 12 coaching sessions, either weekly for 3 months or every two weeks for 6 months. Many clients choose to continue once a month after that. I coach via phone or Skype which provides flexibility and ease in scheduling, and allows you to examine your life direction in the comfort of your own home or office. I also offer some face-to-face sessions for my Calgary based clients. Sessions are 50 minutes in duration.

Still uncertain about something? Do you want to know more?

That’s okay! Call me on 403-770-9779 or email me at lisa@sparkforlifecoaching.com

I look forward to answering your questions.