How has coaching transformed your life?

In this month's newsletter I am talking about what coaching is and what it isn't, and how and when it can be helpful.

Coaching is sometimes in the news for all the wrong reasons. As it is an unregulated industry, not every coach is properly trained or cares about your wellbeing. This is why it's important to do your own due diligence and I've listed a few suggested questions to ask at the bottom of this newsletter.

But first of all, what is coaching? According to the International Coaching Federation (a non-profit organisation that awards accreditation to coaches who meet certain standards), coaching is a transformative journey where you discover your true potential.

I particularly like this analogy from the ICF website: "Imagine driving on a road you've never travelled before. You're in the driver's seat, in control of the destination, but beside you is a trusted navigator - your coach - helping you see new possibilities, find alternate routes, and ensure you don't lose focus. This partnership empowers you to unlock answers you already have within, while also challenging you to go further than you imagined."

What does this look like in practical terms?

-A coach may reflect back on what he/she hears, giving you an opportunity to uncover blindspots

-A coach may challenge you in a compassionate, professional manner in order to help you see when you are out of alignment or when your own mindset keeps you stuck

-A coach may ask you questions that help unlock insights and wisdom in you which helps you to progress towards your goals

Unlike say a friend, a coach doesn't try to "fix" you or give you advice. They listen with their full, undivided attention without judgement and this experience alone is often life-changing for clients.

I've worked with several great coaches since 2010 and trained to become a coach myself in 2019 onwards. There are many reasons why a person seeks out a coach; here are a few scenarios:

-You feel stuck and recognise that you need a sounding board and thinking partner to help you move forward

-You're at a crossroads in life or at work and need to make sure that the next decision is aligned with your values, strengths and lifestyle

-You keep repeating the same behaviours even though they are not yielding the results you want and you recognise that something needs to change

A coach is not a therapist; they are both valuable but serve a different purpose. Therapy often deals with what happened to you in the past including trauma; in coaching we don't go back to your past but meet you where you are today and help you move forward.

Some people are in therapy for years. Coaching is often a much shorter intervention, helping you to move from A to B. In my coaching practice, I tend to see women for 6 or 12 sessions and some continue afterwards with less frequent "maintenance" sessions to keep momentum.

How do you know that you're ready for coaching?

-You've built up some self-awareness and now want to move out of your comfort zone in order to grow

-You're ready to do something different in order to achieve a different outcome

-You feel overwhelmed and need help to bring clarity to your life

What questions can you ask of a prospective coach? Here are a few ideas:

-What training have you had?

-Are you accredited by a professional body (eg ICF, AC, PAAC, UKIHCA etc)?

-Do you receive regular supervision?

If a coach meets these minimum standards, it's then down to you to gauge whether you get on with them or not, whether you like their approach and style, and whether a partnership will likely help you meet your goals. I always recommend clients reach out to 3-4 coaches to get a feel for what's out there before they commit.

For people with ADHD, specialist coaching can provide a safe space to understand their unique brain including their strengths, explore solutions to common challenges, and find a way forward that honours their nervous system as well as their goals.

“ I found the process Caroline used to be massively enlightening and useful on a practical level. I have learned a lot about the way my brain works and tools for managing myself, which I find very interesting - Caroline explains new information in a highly accessible and relevant way, making it easy to understand and apply.

During the process, I gained increased self-confidence, self-awareness, and a greater sense of positivity about my life. Thank you for coaching me!” - Sarah

I hope that's been helpful. As always, I welcome constructive feedback and questions.

And if you're ready for coaching, you're welcome to book a complimentary 30-minute call to determine if we would be a good fit.

Until March.

Caroline

#coaching #accreditation #transformationcoach #NLP #healthcoach #ADHDcoach