What is life coaching? Do I need a coach? Let’s find out!
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is a personal development and communication method developed in the ’70s by Richard Bandler and John Grinder. The premise of NLP is that an individual’s thoughts, language and behaviors are connected. This is significant because by understanding this correlation, an individual would be able to shift their mind and actions to work in tandem. These symbiotic relationships between the mind and body would then help them achieve their goals. Bandler and Grinder believed that, by using this system, they could understand the driving factors behind success. Then they could work to teach these skills to a larger audience.
This amazing relationship between mind and body is used in Life Coaching to help people overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. These goals can range from communicating effectively with their partner, to helping them make high-level decisions regarding their business.
The Life Coaching framework is based on the idea that individuals are the experts of their own lives. That they can enact the change they want to see in their journey. The coaches role is to help the client tap into their internal and external resources. By knowing these resources, the client finds their own answers. Nobody is an expert on you quite like YOU are!
How does Life Coaching work?
Contrary to popular belief, a coach doesn’t TELL the client how to act. Not only does this cause contention, since no one likes being told what to do, but it’s not conducive to long-term success. Instead, the coach’s job is to help the client clarify what they want, how they will get it, and why it is what they desire. This framework places the client in the hero role of their story, with the coach acting as a guide along the way.
Think of Yoda helping Luke Skywalker. Yoda could’ve just told Luke what he could do, but by doing trial after trial, and allowing Luke a space to experience the Force, he was able to harness what was inside of him all along, and save the galaxy! While one’s “galaxy” might be of smaller scale, like figuring out what direction to go on a project, the point still stands!
In order to help the clients be their own hero, coaches use multiple tools to get them prepared to take on that role. These tools include: reflective listening, asking curious questions, and noticing speech patterns. By using these techniques, a coach is able to hold a mirror to the client so that they begin to notice any worldviews or limiting beliefs that are getting in their way. Not only does this help the client find out what is holding them back, but it will help them determine the best course of action to propel forward!
What would I need a life coach for?
That’s the cool thing about life coaching- it can work for anyone! Life Coaching is extremely versatile and can help individuals across many different areas and aspects of their life. Whether you want to run an 8-minute mile, create a stronger relationship with your spouse, or get a license/ certificate for work, your life coach can help you determine the best plan of attack to “do the damn thing!”
Some areas that Life Coaches can help with are:
- Improving personal relationships
- Creating boundaries
- Bettering communication skills
- Building self-esteem and confidence
- Setting and achieving professional and personal goals
Everyone’s experience with Life Coaching will be personalized and tailored to each individual. During coaching sessions, the coach and client work in tandem to identify the client’s goals and motivations. Once these are determined, they can develop a plan on how to achieve those accomplishments. The plan could include behavior shifts, daily affirmations, time management, and more, all with the intention of achieving their goals. The important aspect of these reminders is that they have to work for the client! So if affirmations tickle your brain in a positive way, use them! If not, maybe try a vision board. Whatever works best, works.
Coaches aim to help individuals understand their thoughts and emotions in order to develop new, empowering ways of thinking. This will aid the client in overcoming any negative self-talk that may be present, thus building self-confidence. With that, the client’s behaviors and actions will follow to actually create the reality they would like to see.
The most important thing to remember is that coaching sessions are client-driven, and the coach is there to help navigate!
Conclusion
Within Range’s Life Coaching is based on the principles of neuro-linguistic programming. This personalized approach is meant to line up a person’s thoughts and emotions with their behaviors and actions. This connection can lead to them getting the work done and achieving their dreams. Coaching is used to help individuals in multiple areas of their life to achieve their health, wealth, and relationship goals.
At Within Range Life Coaching, we specialize in helping our clients break past their barriers and achieve their goals so they can live a life worth remembering. CLICK HERE to learn more about our “Ambitious and Aligned” coaching program! Fill out the form below and learn how we can help you achieve your full potential.