Uncover What is Life Coaching?

Because Adulting is Hard and Social Media Can't Fix Everything

Let's be honest, life can be messy, challenging, unexpected, overwhelming and sometimes you lose sight of your goals, aspirations, and personal well-being. A lot of the time individuals will wait until they feel really overwhelmed before they seek help. It is totally okay that you might be in this position, because we do not really start noticing how much we feel overwhelmed until it has built up over time. I am here to share what I believe life coaching is all about, its benefits and how life coaching for women can help bring about that life you have been daydreaming about, so you can get started on decreasing the tension from that overwhelm buildup.

Below is my hot take on what life coaching is, types of coaches, how a life coach can help you, difference coaching approaches, the life coaching process, and why you should work with a life coach.

What is Life Coaching?

Ever wonder, “what does life coach do?” In a nutshell, life coaching is provided by professionals in the wellness field who help guide people towards solving problems and reaching goals.

I look at my role as a life coach for women as helping people have a better understanding of themselves. This means helping you figure out your stuck points, what issues are causing stress for you, what life would look like if you resolved the anxious parts of life and live in a balanced way that works, as well as helping you chase after your goals and dreams. Some people know exactly where they want to go, but need some help. Other people have a vague idea where they want to go. My goal as a life coach is to provide a place for you to feel heard, understood, and know yourself better. I get to be your cheerleader, motivator, and sounding board. Coaching with me also involves laughs, tears, and honesty about life’s tough, embarrassing, and ridiculous moments.

Types of Life Coaching

There is a wide variety of areas coaches may focus on. Some coaches solely focus on one area, while others are able to help with a variety of different areas. I specialize in helping women in their 30s and 40s who feel overwhelmed from their busy lives or have a life transition happening and as a result have stress and/or need a confidence boost.

Below are just some of the areas that life coaches provide support for:

Addiction & Sobriety
Business | Executive | Leadership
Career Communication | Assertiveness
Divorce
Financial
Grief & Loss
Health | Nutrition
Life Skills
Life Transitions
Mental Health
Parenting
Personal Development
Relationships
Retirement
Spiritual | Religious
Sports
Stress Management
Time Management

“How Can a Life Coach Help Me?”

Having a life coach can provide so many benefits. One of the most powerful things I have seen as a life coach is that not only can individuals grow, they sometimes flourish in ways they never anticipated. The below benefits are not a guarantee for anyone and you need to be willing to put effort into reaching their desired goals, but, holy shit, the payoff in investing in yourself can be SO worth it.

Greater understanding of self
Clarity on goals and future
Improved self-esteem
Enhanced self-awareness
Better decision-making skills
Stress/anxiety reduction
Resilience in handling difficult situations
Increased motivation
Overcoming negative thought patterns
Better life/work balance
High satisfaction with life
Improved communication skills
Stronger relationships with friends and family

Coaches Customize Their Services

Every life coach will customize their services to how they as a professional best operate and work with clients. I offer services for weekly one-on-one coaching sessions virtually for women within the US.

Other coaches could customize their services as follows:

One-on-one, couple, or group sessions
Sessions may follow a specific framework or some could be open-ende
Coaches may have a split program where you watch videos and then connect with them one-on-one after you have watched
Some will supply homework, others may have a workbook for you to go through
Coaches may have a group program where you get content online and hop on group calls
There could be intensives where you meet with them for hours and multiple days at a time
The length of time in life coaching will also vary ex: 3 months, 6 months, 1 year

The options are plentiful. Because there are so many different areas that professionals choose to offer services as a life coach there more than likely will be someone out there to help! Research has shown the importance of finding someone that you like to help guide you.

The best recommendation I can give is to figure out what you might like in working with a life coach, do your research, and stick with your gut once you have talked to them. You always can change your mind and should not feel obligated to stay with one coach.

Life Coaching Process Start to Finish

Below is a general idea of what coaching sessions can entail within one-on-one sessions. More detailed info is in my blog What Happens in Life Coaching?

Consultation: Where you talk about why you are seeking coaching, what the coach offers, and if you’re a good fit together
Assessment: Looking in greater detail what your needs are and goals you’d like to meet
Exploring: Your life coach needs time to understand you, so you’ll chat a lot about your life
Goal Setting: What you want to accomplish with life coaching.
Education: Throughout sessions you will gain information on how your problem impacts you and ways to work towards solving
Action Plan: When your coach has a good picture of you then they can set clear steps you can take towards reaching the life you want.
Monitoring: Coaches checking in the defined steps towards your goals to make sure they still feel achievable. They’ll provide necessary support and make adjustments as needed.

Why Work with a Life Coach?

I have worked with a lot of individuals and most of them seek to lead happier and more meaningful lives, but sometimes getting to where you want to be in life can be hard. Without a doubt we will face problems, won't always know what to do, and sometimes will doubt ourselves.

As a women’s life coach I see women try to take on everything all at once. This includes caring for their mental health themselves. While I believe we can listen to, watch, or read something inspiring and have our lives changed, a lot of women need additional support. Some will have friends and family be their therapists, often helping in the moment, but not long term.

Can I be my own life coach?

Go for it! Like I said there are books, podcasts, movies, TV shows that can provide wonderful information and support. You may have had a ton of life experience that makes it feel like you can handle anything and you probably can, but should you?

I always ask the question…can you split your focus to be both your own life coach/therapist and the client at the same time? I see a lot of women try. The thing is once you let go of trying to be both and accept help from someone else, it relieves the pressure and burden of having to constantly manage your mental health by yourself.

Reasons to life coach it up!

Gain Clarity: Find space to understand yourself, your goals, values, and priorities more quickly
Accountability Cheerleader: Feel on track and supported through your journey, even when the self-doubt creeps in
Unbiased Perspective: An outsider's view of your problem helps you see the bigger picture and not just the part of the story and picture you’ve focused on
Tailored Support and Guidance: Coaching based on your pe needs, strengths, and aspirations
Understanding: Gain an understanding of yourself, mindset shifts, and coping skills so you can go out and live the life you’ve been daydreaming
Balance: Coaching helps you find balance across all areas of your life, so your day-to-day doesn’t feel as chaotic
Improved Self-Awareness: Better understand your strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth.
Anxiety/Stress Reduction: Manage feeling overwhelmed more effectively
Confidence Boost: Knowing that you are fully capable of handling anything and living the life you want

Conclusion: Unlock Your Potential With Life Coaching

Life is messy, challenging, and overwhelming at times, which can leave the best of us feeling off-kilter. Life coaching offers a chance to find clarity and relief by providing a supportive space for understanding yourself, finding stuck points, addressing stress, and crafting a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Whether clients have specific goals or are seeking guidance through life’s transitions a life coach can provide personalized support, motivation and insight to get you to where you want to be. Individuals can help you know yourself better, develop effective coping skills, and feel increased confidence and ability to accomplish your goals. While it is tempting to work out our problems by ourselves or with the advice from friends, sometimes a professional can help expedite the process.

If you are connecting with my website or what I wrote in this blog, I’d love to chat and see what you’ve been noodling on in wanting to improve your life! Feel free to schedule your consultation. I won’t be THE life coach for every woman out there, but I sure as shit am excited to help you if I am.

I don't blindly say shit. Here's where my info is from!

1. Wampold, B. (n.d.). QUALITIES AND ACTIONS OF EFFECTIVE THERAPISTS. American Psychological Association Education Directorate.