What is a Life Coach?. Answers to this question are important…
By: Vicki Reiner
Tags: Life Coaching, Help, Life Coach, What Can A Coach Do, Coaching

What can a Life Coach do for me?

Answers to this question are important because it comes from different sides of the same context. The context is whether or not a Life Coach can make a difference in your life and mine. It does not mean that you are abnormal or completely off the mark, so to say. It does mean that you recognize the need to talk things out. It means you know inside that you need another set of eyes on the challenge, impartial and nonjudgmental perspective. You may even need a little intellectual or spiritual guidance.

To illustrate, let’s look at my life, the one I know the best. I was on the road to what I thought would complete my formal education. I did not acquire the degree that I had wanted as a young adult mainly because my husband and I chose to quickly move from Bible College into ministry. We both received a Bible Diploma for the three years of work we had completed. I wanted more and we agreed that eventually I would get more. We did not have a plan for that so through the years of raising children, participating in ministry, and struggling in difficult relationships, I tried to fit in some college courses and looked forward to completing my Bachelor’s Degree. With a huge amount of effort and time, I was able to finally complete that in a nine month period while we were on furlough in the U.S.

Then what?

I wasn’t at the point yet when I felt confident in my abilities to help someone else. I had done some counseling and I was good at teaching children. I homeschooled my children for a bunch of years and I was a Sunday School teacher. I spoke to the women in our church and did lots of visitation. But when others sought my advice, was I giving them what they needed? Or was I actually counseling and advising from my perspective and my philosophy of life? I wanted to know and understand more clearly how to go about encouraging others.

I looked for further education and finally applied to Liberty University’s Counseling Master’s Program. It was amazing and I was learning so much. I dreamed of being able to make a difference in the lives of those who were in need of support, encouragement and counsel. Halfway through the program I discovered that I would need to go to the school for two consecutive between-year courses. The answer to doing this or not became the decisive reason that the school made a new degree called Master’s in Human Services Counseling! I only lost credit for one course, which I don’t see as lost in the grand scheme of my life. The main difference, as I see it, between the two degrees is that one would lead toward providing state certified counseling for clients who want or need a diagnosis or direction in regard to mental challenges. Mine is more suited towards helping a client find the services he or she needs, that are not necessarily mental.

Near the end of that degree program, I discovered that the degree I attained provided me with the perfect backdrop for becoming a professional Life Coach. With all that I have learned, all that I have experienced, this was the perfect fit for continuing my life in ministering to people. Right after receiving my Master’s Degree, I began training for my first coaching certifications. My coach-trainers have shown me that I have actually been doing this type of transformational work with people most of my life. With my studies, I improved my skills to listen better and empathize more. My mind opened without judgement to those who come to me. I have compassion and patience with the process that takes time and effort which provokes the individuals to move their unconscious beliefs into a more clear understanding of how to move towards the things they truly desire. I provide the tools my clients need in order of find answers and motivation from within themselves and take control of paths they have already begun. And then they are better equipped to make the changes to move forward towards their unique purpose and goals.

This is what I do and this is why I do what I do. Basically, the person in front of me whether a client or friend, comes to me and asks me to witness to their thought-processing by way of sharing, listening and feedback. Life Coaching is all about the process. With the coach’s help, you get into your own head, your thoughts and work to find out what leads you to make the choices you make. I listen. I give feedback. I ask hard questions. I provide tools and give homework sometimes.

“Life Coaching is all about the process. With the coach’s help, you get into your own head, your thoughts and work to find out what leads you to make the choices you make.”

Do you want to be heard? Have you lost perspective and direction? Do you want to improve aligning your choices with what you really want and with what is deep down inside of you? Your life is your most valuable asset. You have unique qualities that make you the ideal person to do what you are called to do. Do you know what that is? Do you know what qualities you have that will lead you to your highest potential? Are you using your strengths to their fullest capacity? You are a part of this world that is trying so hard to de-structure you and make you fit into the plans and purpose of someone else?

You have choices to make that are not necessarily easy. You can learn from your mistakes and move forward toward a life of fulfillment and satisfaction. You have the power to start the process of knowing yourself and understanding your purpose. You can do life and make the necessary choices based on how you are doing right now and what you are feeling at the moment. That is the way for most people. However, if you want to move forward with confidence knowing you are planning and putting into action a values-based life leading to greater fulfillment and working toward your potential, you should set up sessions with a Life Coach.