A Career You Can Take With You: What Does It Take To Be A Life Coach?

January 05, 2010
It takes three things to be a life coach: a desire to listen with an open heart, some knowledge of how to motivate people, and an overall entrepreneurial mindset. A relatively new profession, coaching helps individuals and businesses accomplish their goals. Some coaches focus on overcoming particular challenges such as completing a thesis, writing a book, or starting a business; others work to motivate. I have coaching colleagues that are military spouses as well; some opt to work internally with stable companies conducting in-house coaching programs, others work for coaching companies that sell coaching programs, and others coach over the phone. Coaching is a portable profession; most work with clients by phone and only need a good phone headset and a computer, requiring little expense and can relocate their coaching practice quite easily.

Carla, a military spouse and multifaceted life coach began her career in education and transitioned to coaching herself after crossing paths with another military spouse in South Korea on a one year unaccompanied tour. Carla hired this military spouse and financial coach and then decided to add coaching to her business services as well. She suggests that new coaches hire a mentor coach as well, to aid them in getting certified through a certified coaching school that is cost effective and fits into potential PCS moves.

List the skills that you have used at previous jobs and see if you may already have coaching experience that was packaged as something else. It is also worth exploring the International Coaching Federation  (ICF) website to get more information on certification or even attend an annual conference or order the tapes if it isn’t feasible to actually travel and attend. I began by volunteering as a Key Volunteer Coordinator with the Marines, writing newsletters and speaking publicly to gain experience. I met Jill, my mentor coach, at the end of a local networking meeting. I also learned to write a business plan and organize the paperwork necessary to legally open a business. I took coach training courses through Coach U, an online university, while keeping my full time job in recruiting. I transitioned into full-time coaching a year after my first child was born so that I could be home with her, while still seeing clients both in person and virtually across the United States. I most enjoy working with individuals who are stuck in their career.

Coaches do not need to be credentialed. However, credentials are available to those shooting for high standards. A Professional Certified Coach credential from Coach U gives one a chance to learn the standards, hear other coach’s coach clients, get to know the community of coaches, learn specific competencies with focus and direction, and encourage multiple ways to help people fulfill their personal and professional potentials.

Practice Coaching: Start by getting out there and coaching anyone you can. Volunteer where you have to do counseling and begin tracking your experiences. Then begin with a few pro bono clients, collect feedback and successful testimonials from them, and once you feel you have enough experience, begin charging for your services. If you don’t have one-on-one clients yet, consider putting your coaching tips in writing or creating a free local workshop on a particular coaching topic that interests you and allows you to speak and get your name out. Some coaches transition from their traditional jobs for a while, and work with individual clients once their confidence builds and they have saved enough money to deal with the ebbs and flows of a new business. Ask yourself after a session if you feel confident, energized, like this is the work you were meant to do?

Partner Up: Work with a mentor coach. The International Coaching Federation has a “Find a Coach” section to help new coaches link with a like-minded coach. Some coaches offer complimentary sessions to test out coaching for yourself. Interview at least three coaches and chose one that you connect most with before hiring one. There are coaches specifically trained in mentoring new coaches. I have ‘buddy coached’ and traded services, offering assistance in areas that come naturally and getting help in weak areas. Carla currently coaches women, teens, and Christian coaches but also partners with My Life Compass where she can capitalize on being able to reach a broader marketplace.

Coaching Is Still A Business: Write out a business plan. Many people who are attracted to the helping professions often feel guilty getting paid, even if they are providing an excellent service. However, a coach puts a lot of time, energy, and money into training, so learn to be consistent with your rates and be confident enough to charge what you are worth. Know your weaknesses, not so you can beat yourself up, but so you are aware of areas where you need training or delegation.

Choosing a Niche: When you make decisions on what courses to take and what professional development books to buy, you are choosing an area in which you wish to make a difference; the more you focus on your contribution, the less you will focus on your performance anxiety, and the more authentic a coach you will become. If you have experience in software training it may make sense to be an IT coach; if you have survived a loss, perhaps be a grief counselor. Choose a niche where you will make the most difference.

Resources:
Krista@militaryspousecoach.com (please feel free to e-mail me any specific coaching or mentoring questions).
International Coaching Federation (ICF) www.coachfederation.org
International Association of Coaches www.certifiedcoach.org
Coach U (Coach training) www.coachinc.com
The Coaches Training Institute www.thecoaches.com
My Life Compass www.mylifecompass.com/cboyd-henson