If you have made the decision that now is the time to hire a personal or life coach to help you better achieve what you want in life, then you need to get started. Making the decision is an important first step.
Before you begin talking with coaches about working for you, you will want to find a coach who will fit best with your personality and needs. A great first step in screening for such professionals is to visit the International Coach Federation's Referral Program. Here you can check boxes about the experience, orientation and methods of a coach that will work well with you and then the program will give you a list of ICF-certified coaches from whom you can select. The ICF certification process ensures that the coach you work with will have advanced training and will subscribe to a detailed code of ethics.
As you communicate with these coaches, you will want to make sure and ask a number of questions. These include:
- How long have you been coaching?
- Do you work full-time or part-time as a coach?
- What specific services do you offer?
- What kind of commitment do you require from me?
- Do you require a long-term contract?
During the interview, check to see how well the candidate coach listens to you and your concerns. Often times, the better the listener, the better the coaching relationship will be. Look to see if you have a "connection" with the coach. Do you get along? Was there good energy in the conversation? Did you get any insights into your own situation during the visit? Did you feel inspired and motivated? You should have positive and productive feelings about the interview.
Some coaches work in person with you, face to face. Others will work primarily over the phone or via email and chat. So location is not always a factor.
Make sure that the coach will allow you to commit, at least initially, to a period of three months or less. You will need a little time and experience with the coach to find a level of appropriate comfort. A good coach will not help you be comfortable, but will be willing to move at an appropriate pace with you. Pushing a bit, helping you stretch is good; being too aggressive is not. Finding your level with a coach will take a little time, and if you are not happy with the outcome, you will want to be able to make a change.
You can expect to pay around $60 to $120 per session with a personal coach. Most will offer a discount for a 6 week to 3 month, or longer, commitment.
Personal coaching can be a significant benefit to any man who finds himself in need of some refocus or some help getting through a personally challenging period of life. The skills you will learn, and the attitudes you will develop, will be a long term benefit to your life, your work and your family.
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