Coaching

Coaching is still an evolving profession. As it should be. All new disciplines must go through stages of development, as new possibilities for solutions and progress are discovered and formalised.

Coaching began its journey in the United States during the late 1980’s. At first some people used to go to see either a psychotherapist or an analyst to help them overcome a specific problem e.g. to give up smoking, suffering depression etc. 

It was soon discovered that these people referred to as ‘patients’ didn’t have a ‘condition’ they just felt that their lives were out of balance, with a feeling that there is more to life. 

Some therapists, who became life coaches, dealt solely with these ‘patients’ who became clients; thus creating a new industry called life coaching. 

Coaching assists a client to achieve whatever they want in all areas of their life. It identifies where the individual is currently in their lives, where they want to be, what choices they have for closing this gap and finally what they will commit to. 

Coaching also provides flexibility enabling you to choose when, where and how you work. You are truly in the driving seat in charge of your own destiny. 

IT REALLY IS YOUR CHOICE. 

Coaching is a ‘judgment and critical’ free zone. Coaching is all about the results that are obtained from the action taken by you. 

Much of society has moved from being predictable and reasonably stable to being much more fast-paced and unpredictable. Many people have moved from their geographic heart,  the mentors and familiar faces they may have counted on to guide them are back in their home town. 

With limited time, busy days, too many decisions and social media reporting all news in real time, people turn to coaches to provide a ‘pause’ to the chaos. It’s like buying a friend. 

It’s a way to access a mentor and guide so we aren’t alone as we navigate all of life. People also want a sounding board to determine how they’re doing with their relationships, their career, their health and even their happiness. 

You might have heard that ‘coaching is really like therapy, counselling and mentoring, isn’t it?’ Absolutely not. 

Let me explain why. Patients seeking therapy and/or counselling usually have a problem arising from a specific incident, condition or trauma. 

A coaching client usually hasn’t experienced any of these. You may be successful, a fulfilled person already and are looking to raise the bar, experience even more success and become more effective at what you already do well. 

A therapist or counsellor usually starts with the past to find the solution to an existing condition. 

A coach on the other hand ‘draws a line in the sand’ and starts with the ‘present’ and ‘the future’. 

THE PAST DOES NOT EQUAL THE FUTURE 

There are important ethical considerations to take into account as a coach. There are issues we don’t coach. 

There are legal requirements regarding what we are required to report to the police and child protection services. We are required to keep the conversations we have with our clients confidential, except as required by law. 

As coaches it’s beholden upon us to be the best version of ourselves we can be, so that we are constantly learning, and discovering how to serve our clients.