What is Coaching?
One of the things I have discovered, when I became a coach, is that there is a great deal of both interest and educating with what I do. With that, I have realized that part of my work as a coach is to inform and educate people about coaching itself, and its value in our lives. Everyone can benefit from coaching in some way, some form.
While I have explained what coaching is in the past (as I did in the blog post, “Coaching and the ‘Angry Dude’”), there are other viewpoints and perspectives about coaching, as these come from other coaches.
In my last blog post, “Easter and the Coaching Connection,” I shared my thoughts on how coaching and Easter are very similar. As a result, I received a response from a fellow coach who enjoyed the post, and wanted to share his comments on personal coaching.
Scott Epp is a Certified Professional Coach (CPC) based in Canada, who works with clients on an international scale. His practice, Abundance Coaching, assists people in living with passion and having abundance in life.
Coaching According to Scott
This is what Scott shared with me, and I now share with you, about what coaching is:
Personal coaching can also assist people in becoming aware of and overcoming inner obstacles that could possibly be keeping them back. The coach serves like a “mirror” that allows people to see their own tendencies from a whole new viewpoint. A coach may well aid people to see counter-productive patterns, language and pursuits that ought to change so they can realize their desires. As soon as these counterproductive patterns are identified, coaching can help people with the concepts and capabilities necessary to overcome these issues and create more constructive behaviors, attitudes and mindsets.
A coach identifies the goals and dreams that clients have. A coach creates action steps for clients to accomplish those goals and dreams. Then the coach helps them sense the realization that they really can become who they want to become and see who they want to be. Coaching will then give them hope that they can accomplish their goals and dreams. Then the coach will support them in the process of achieving those goals and seeing them through to carry out those goals.
Personal life coaches help people flourish as people by offering tools, guidance and support. Personal life coaches have training and the ability to enable people who are stuck to become unstuck. We can help people who are just existing and unfulfilled in life to become people that thriving with optimism and fulfillment in life. Life coaches draw out their clients own gifts and abilities to help them progress in life. I personally love this one because it’s my wife’s favorite description of life coaching. A life coach helps people ignite their dreams and support their journey so they can live out their destiny.
Let me give an example about life coaching that is applicable. If you were an author, the life coach would be the editor that would help you get your book published. The editor would be guiding the progress of the book yet they wouldn’t be writing the book. The author would have the creativity and abilities in themselves to write the book. The editor or life coach in this analogy would help direct the author and they would have added tools to progress the book to publication.
I hope that this has inspired you to want know more about life coaching.
Thank you, Scott, for sharing your perspective on coaching. I also share Scott’s hope in that you are inspired to know more about coaching.
Scott can be contacted through his site, abundancecoaching.com.
Sharing the knowledge of coaching,
James
Carol
April 27, 2012 at 7:42 pmWow, this is exactly what I already do except without a certificate, education or Sign above my door. I want to get paid for this! I love to help people and since I am going through transition with physical and employment challenges this is what brings me the most reward….seeing and inspiring people to grow and change to a brighter destiny.
James
April 27, 2012 at 10:39 pmCarol,
Thank you for your response. Most people discover that they either have been, or are currently, coaching without knowing it. I have discovered that the best coaches are the ones who have gone through difficulties and then work with people who are going through the same difficulties, because they have a proven method (the process they used to get through the challenge) that will assist those clients.
At its heart, its core, coaching is a process of self-discovery, personal growth, and self-improvement. If you are interested in becoming a coach, I encourage you to find a training program that appeals to you. The world needs more coaches in it.
I hope you continue to check out the blog in the future, and continue to comment. The interaction with the readers keeps me motivated.
Your ally in motivating and inspiring others,
James
Carol
April 27, 2012 at 10:53 pmJames,
I also realize that some people look at this as maybe “budding into someone’s business” or “who are you to give me advice?” attitude and so I think the Marshall Rosenberg’s method of Non-Violent Communication that I have been learning is helping so as to be more intriguing in my coaching than giving out commands of advice and suggestions prematurely. People have to want to try something new because what they have been doing is no longer working. I think that is my primary focus right now.
Thanks for your response.
James
April 28, 2012 at 12:49 pmCarol,
“Non-Violent Communication” is a wonderful resource, and one that is recommended by coaches for coaches. I think that everyone, coach or not, would benefit from exploring this, as it would go a long way in improving how we communicate with one another.
I offer you this perspective: Instead of looking at the people who might think, “Who are you to be butting into my business or giving me advice?” (which carries the implication of either being offered unsolicited advice or opinions, or the other person is resistant to the advice because it was not what he or she wanted to hear, as well as judging you and your life), look at the people who come to you seeking your advice (which is a clear sign you have something the other person sees as needed and useful). These are the people a coach works best with, because as you said, these individuals realize that what they have been doing is not producing the result they want (coaching is a results-driven process). As you continue to explore more about coaching, you will find that it is not so much about offering advice as it is about helping clients access the solutions within them. A coach facilitates that process.
Thank you for continuing the conversation. I am enjoying the dialogue.
Your ally in effective communication,
James
Carol
April 28, 2012 at 6:30 pmJames,
I absolutely agree with you. It’s so to have an approachable personality that people feel comfortable engaging in the style of conversing. I am excited and anxious at the same time to begin my journey of becoming a Life Coach and getting paid for it. I don’t have a 4 year degree but have been on my own self-motivated journey of reading books, being proactive about groups and resources to assist in better understanding why humans act the way we do. I am enjoying this dialog too and hope to be inspiring to those who are looking to begin the change in their life.
Have a great day until next time.
Anna Maroni
February 15, 2013 at 4:11 amThere are so many facets to coaches in life whether its a life coach or what I have been working with and that is a career or job coaching. Learning that which is most important to a person and can land you a career position. There is some great stuff here and I appreciate the time spent on this. Thanks!
James
February 15, 2013 at 9:39 pmAnna,
I am glad to hear that you have benefited from your work with a coach. A coach is a wonderful partner in a person’s self-discovery process, as you have both pointed out and experienced first-hand.
I thank you for finding the blog, taking the time to read and comment. I appreciate it when people take the time to share their thoughts with me. I hope you continue to come back and let me know what you think!
All the best,
James