Recently a friend asked me “What exactly do you do as a life coach? How is being a life coach different from a being a mentor, counselor or a consultant?” As I get this question a lot, I thought it might be useful to you if I expanded on what I have on my web site under the “Coaching” tab.
The Encarta Dictionary defines “Mentor”, “Counselor” and “Consultant” as the following:
Mentor –“somebody, usually older and more experienced who advises and guides a younger, less experienced person”.
Counselor – “somebody, usually a professional who helps others with personal, social, or psychological problems; a professional who gives advice on such matters as career, education or health.”
Consultant – “an expert who charges a fee for providing advice or services in a particular field.”
Notice the operative words here are providing or giving advice.
A life coach does not give advice. The best description of what a Life Coach does was given to me by the founder of the Academy for Coaching Excellence and author of the books “The Energy of Money” and “Mastering Life’s Energies”, Maria Nemeth, PhD. Here you go:
“Imagine you are out driving in the country and there’s a fog all around you. It’s impossible to see where you’re going. Suddenly, the fog lifts. You’re driving on the wrong side of the road and there’s a ten-ton truck heading toward you!
What do you do? Do you analyze how you got there? Do you look at your parents’ driving behavior and how it’s influenced you at this crucial moment? Do you talk about your “inner driver” who wants to break the rules and drive wherever she feels guided?
No, you get over to the right side of the road. Because once you’ve discerned where you are, your response is natural, quick and appropriate.
Discernment produces action that is creative and potent. It may be that we innately possess all the talent, intelligence and ability we’ll ever need to achieve our goals and dreams. That’s not the problem. Instead, we simply need to see clearly how to put these qualities to use. That is where coaching comes in.
A coach does not tell you what to do, but rather supports you in clearing the fog from your path. Once this happens, you instantly self-correct. Until you discern where you are, however, your actions are aimless. It’s like driving in a fog, wondering why ‘trucks’ keep hitting you. Or how is it you keep ‘attracting trucks’ into your life.”
So now you have it: A coach is someone who helps you see that you have much to contribute in life…discover what holds meaning and purpose for you…identify your core strengths and values…create goals that come alive with meaning and excitement…and reach those goals with a sense of clarity, focus, ease and grace.
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