Life Coach: Should You Hire One?

Several years ago I found myself the lucky winner of 3 free sessions of life coaching. I was ecstatic! I was pumped! I couldn't wait to start!

After the excitement of winning something waned, I realized that I had no idea what to do with those 3 sessions. I'd never purchased the services of a life coach. I had no idea what one did or how one could benefit me.

Okay, so I had a vague idea. I knew they talked to people...other people. Maybe people who had no idea what they wanted in life. But that wasn't me. Or was it? Did I really have my act together? Hmm....maybe I could use some life coaching.

As my first session approached, the 'coach' sent me some questions to mull over, fill out, and send to her. As my last session ended, I knew I had more focus in my life and I had identified a few areas that I really needed to work on.

So, should you hire a life coach?

You should if:

Your business is growing faster than you can keep up
You deal with difficult people
You've lost your job
You've decided to change career paths
You need to balance your career and family
Your creativity has stagnated

When shopping for a life coach, this is what you should look for:

Certification by an accredited professional school
References
Someone with which you feel a comfortable connection
A free sample session
A reasonable fee

Benefits of life coaching:

You can define & design a plan to achieve your goals
You can identify and eliminate obstacles to your goals
Find a way to a joy-filled life
Find a way to success

Did my 3 sessions benefit me? Most definitely. I defined several areas in my life that could use some work. I also began focusing more on my strengths rather than my weaknesses. Doing this allowed me to become more successful and less stressful than I had been prior to my life coaching.

Best advice is to do your research and find a certified life coach that best fits your personality and offers the type of coaching you need or want. Also, look for a coach that offers a fee you can afford. Currently life coaches charge between $40-$500 per session. Prices may vary depending on the area you live in.

Should you hire a life coach? Only you can answer that question. Realize that a life coach is not there to do the work for you. You must be committed to make the necessary changes to get you from where you are to where you want to go. The choice is yours!