If you have chronic heartburn, back pain or you break a leg, you don’t even think twice about going to a doctor to get professional medical help. But when you have a broken heart, or you’re feeling lost in life, frustrated with career-related stress, or you are stuck in a relationship that’s sucking the life out of you, where do you go?
One answer is….a Life Coach.
Life coaching is a growing field that can be incredibly rewarding for both the coach and the client. But what is life coaching, exactly?
In this blog post, I will answer all of your questions about life coaching and give you a glimpse into what it’s like to be a life coach in Abu Dhabi.
What is a Life Coach?
A life coach is a professional who helps people make positive changes in their lives. Life coaches work with clients to help them achieve their goals, overcome obstacles and make lasting changes in their lives.
Coaches typically have experience in the areas they are coaching in, whether it be personal development, career coaching, relationship coaching, etc. They use this experience to help their clients set realistic goals and develop action plans to achieve those goals.
Life Coaching in Abu Dhabi
Believe it or not, life coaching is still a relatively new industry in both Abu Dhabi and the Middle East. From first-hand experience, I know that in the city of Abu Dhabi itself, there are but a handful of coaches and even fewer who are certified.
So, it is understandable that every time I’m asked what I do for a living since I moved back to Abu Dhabi, I have to tell a story or give different analogies to explain what is it exactly a life coach does.
What I Do
Here’s how I explain exactly what it is that I do. I meet people where they are and take them, through coaching, to where they want to be in any area of their lives. In other words, the coaching sessions are the space where powerful conversations take place with the purpose of filling the gap between where you are and where you want to be.
I like the word empowerment and all the feelings associated with it. That’s what I do, I empower people to dare to dream again, reach their goals, and tap into their highest potential. I challenge them to live more passionate lives. I love to help people discover and unleash the best version of themselves ever.
Filling the Gap!
That’s the gray area nobody likes to go to alone because it is so uncomfortable. It’s uncharted territory where some people tread with caution, some jump in fearlessly and some avoid like the plague. That’s where I say you have to either get a life or get a coach! The fact of the matter is that anyone can benefit from having a coach, especially during major personal transitions.
Even professionals at the top of their games like Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan have coaches and the most successful CEOs hire executive coaches for their professional development.
It’s very much like a personal trainer. You want to reach a target ideal weight or you want to build muscle or whatever fitness goal you have, the likelihood that you will reach that goal is almost guaranteed when you hire a trainer who will crack down on you to make you reach that goal versus you doing it alone at the gym as if you are having a stroll in the park with little results.
I personally cheat at the gym every time I can when I’m by myself, but when I’ve hired a trainer I see results so fast and that in itself keeps me motivated to go back again and again.
A life coach is someone who helps people identify and achieve their personal and professional goals. Coaches work with clients on a one-on-one basis, or in group settings, to help them overcome obstacles and make positive changes in their lives.
Most importantly, coaches serve as a supportive sounding board and cheerleader for their clients – someone who will believe in them even when they don’t believe in themselves.
If you feel like you’re stuck in a rut and need some help getting unstuck, a coach may be the perfect person to help you.
The Benefits of Life Coaching
There are many benefits to life coaching. A coach can help you:
- Figure out what you want in life
- Set and achieve goals
- Overcome obstacles
- Improve your relationships
- Find work/life balance
- Be more productive
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Live a happier, more fulfilling life
What Are the Different Types of Life Coaches?
There are many different types of life coaches, each with its own focus and area of expertise. Some common types of coaches include
- Career coaches – help clients advance in their careers or make a career change
- Relationship coaches – help clients improve their relationships
- Health and wellness coaches – help clients improve their physical and mental health
- Executive coaches – help executives and business owners achieve their goals
- Productivity coaches – help clients increase productivity and time management
- No matter what type of coach you work with, the goal is always the same: to help you live a happier, more fulfilling life.
5 Tips When Hiring a Life Coach
If you’re thinking about hiring a life coach, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Consider Your Needs – Why are you calling a Life Coach in the first place? Do you even know? Life coaches often, but not always, have a specialty. For example, some specialize in business, kids & teens, some in relationships, and some in grief.
- Make sure they are certified – This is your life you are working on and you need to ensure that you are in safe hands and not working with someone who just took a weekend online course to become a life coach.
- Interview a few – Make sure they are someone you can open up to and that’s why the initial session or discovery call can help determine if you and your coach are a good fit. It’s crucial t
- Ask for references – You will probably start your search for a Life Coach with a few simple calls. Ask your prospective coach for a few references of previous clients who may have come to them with similar issues they needed to target such as yours. The coach may be able to give you a few names (with permission from his clients) or refer you to their website where you can just read about what the clients said about him/ her.
- Set realistic goals and be open to change – It’s important to enter this process with an open mind. You must be willing to accept change as part of the process. You should also set realistic goals for yourself right from the start.
Life Coach vs Therapist
A life coach is not the same as a therapist. While both professions deal with helping people improve their lives, there are some key differences.
Therapists focus on treating mental illness and emotional disorders. They help people heal from traumas and manage difficult feelings.
Coaches, on the other hand, focus on helping healthy people achieve their goals and reach their full potential.
There is some overlap between the two professions, but in general, a coach will be more focused on your future and helping you move forward, while a therapist will be more focused on your past and present.
Life is short. If you are unhappy with your job, change it. If you’d like to lose weight, begin an exercise regime. If you’d like to start doing more of the things you love, stop talking about it and “just do it”, as Nike has been telling you for years.
If you don’t have a coach already, give it a try. Contact me and let’s fill that gap, you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. What are you waiting for?!
FAQ
A therapist focuses on treating mental illness and emotional disorders, while a coach helps healthy people achieve their goals. There is some overlap between the two professions, but in general, a coach will be more focused on your future and helping you move forward, while a therapist will be more focused on your past and present.
There are many different types of life coaches, each with its own focus and area of expertise. Some common types of coaches include career coaches, relationship coaches, health and wellness coaches, executive coaches, and productivity coaches.
Some tips for hiring a life coach include: finding a coach who specializes in the area you need help with, doing your research and reading reviews, checking out the coach’s website and social media accounts, making sure you feel comfortable with the coach, and setting some goals before you start working together.
A life coach can help you in many ways, depending on what your specific needs are. Some common ways that coaches can help include: helping you make a career change, improving your relationships, increasing your productivity, and helping you live a healthier lifestyle.
If you’re feeling stuck in life and like you need some help achieving your goals, life coaching may be right for you. It’s a big decision, but one that can change your life for the better. If you’re considering hiring a coach, don’t hesitate to reach out to a qualified coach today.