Life coaches improve the lives of others by assisting them in building confidence and reaching their goals. They help clients with both their professional growth and personal development, although often people will hire life coaches to help them progress in their careers.
As a graduate of life coaching school, you will have the skills and ability to create an environment that pushes clients towards meaningful changes. Life coach courses can lead you to a career where you see clients identify, work towards, and ultimately reach goals that are important to them. Learn more about what you can expect in a life coach career, the purpose that a life coach has, and how they help their clients.
What Does a Life Coach Do?
They Help Clients Identify Goals
- Specify goals that will create positive change
- May be personal or professional
- Can provide questions or prompts to help clients discover their goals
- Provide the environment and framework for the client to clarify their goals
Did you know? There were approximately 53,300 life coaches worldwide in 2018, with almost 17,500 of them working in North America.
They Can Focus on the Entire Life of a Client
- Focus is not limited to career coaching or another specific area
- Goals can be set for a client’s career, personal wellness, relationships, etc.
- Strategies are found to create positive outcomes
- This is supported by an overall positive and motivational attitude
They Use Their Expertise to Modify Goals
- Help set small goals that are manageable
- Tailor goals to push clients towards positive outcomes
- Help a client’s action plan evolve
- Adapt to each client’s individuality and personality
Fun Fact: Even going to an event can be homework for some clients—for example, if a client is setting goals around socializing with others.
They View Their Clients as Capable
- Clients are seen as whole, creative, and resourceful
- Coaches offer different perspectives and questions to explore what clients need
- Clients are offered tools and resources rather than instructions
They Offer Accountability
- Keep clients motivated and inspired
- Regularly meet with clients to track progress
- Offer positivity as a client progresses
- Embrace the client as they are
Did you know? While clients are all unique, life coaches see some common problems that most people share, such as insecurity and difficulty with negative emotions.
They Help Clients Make Their Dreams Come True
- Give clients space to explore their dreams
- Transform dreams into attainable goals
- Foster passion
- Nurture clients’ personal development
- Encourage them to focus on themselves
