Life coaching is becoming an increasingly important and respected career worldwide. Where psychiatry is regarded as a way of unlocking psychological problems that may limit one's ability to live a full life, life coaching aims to help people achieve what they want in life by making changes to their styles of living that may inhibit their potential. Life coaches focus on both personal and professional lives, meaning that the career of a life coach is a challenging but rewarding employment path.
The first step in becoming a life coach is deciding if you are right for the job. Though you may feel drawn towards this profession, it is important to take a step back and analyze whether or not you will actually be suited, and happy, in this role. There are a couple of questions to ask yourself before pursuing life coaching.
A desire or urge to help people is of key importance in life coaching. Caring for and being curious about peoples lives and decisions, means you will be suited to a career in life coaching. Furthermore, those of us with more emotional intelligence or depth, as well as listening and verbal communication skills, will be drawn to the coaching profession. A mix of emotional depth and entrepreneurial skills is vital to the success of a life coaching career.
In terms of licensing and professional registration, there are a number of options for those looking to go into life coaching. Anything recognized and accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) is worth researching. These courses take aspiring life coaches through ethical guidelines, into the establishment of a relationship with a client, through to more detailed instruction on listening, questioning, communication, and a variety of other qualities necessary to effective life coaching.
There are quite a few courses and diplomas to choose from when deciding to study. A Certificate of Life Coaching is recommended for those starting, whilst a Diploma of Life Coaching may be better for those looking to deepen their understanding or study a number of different theories and ideas.
Life coaches often specialize in certain streams or avenues of help. Whilst general life coaches may get more work and may be better for a client who wishes for a more rounded approach, more specialized coaches can be effective for clients who need help in specific areas of their lives.
Specialty streams should be studied along with a Certificate or Diploma according to what a hopeful life coach believes will be their strongest area. Specialties include specific things like business or workplace coaching, as well as broader topics such as life cycles and health. This should be considered by anyone aspiring to study life coaching.
Hopeful life coaches must be prepared for the financial cost of study and practice. Courses can range from $3500 to $20,000, whilst ongoing costs like office spaces should also be considered. Starting up a life coaching blog or business will be inexpensive at first, but financial help and consideration may be needed when business ventures start to expand into books, talks, or seminars.
Taking these options into consideration will assist anyone in moving into a life coaching career. Open, friendly people considering this career must also be prepared for the emotional toll they may take whilst coach. For this reason, aspiring coaches should be congratulated.