How will I
know if coaching is for me? |
|
Why can't I get the same
support from friends? |
Good question! Here are some answers for you:
a) I am professionally trained to coach you. I
have specific skills in listening, questioning techniques, motivation,
communication and more. All of these will be focused on freeing
you to become what you want to be. Your friends are unlikely to
be qualified in these ways.
b) I am an honours graduate, and benefits from
a 17 year career in the management of people and projects, so I
know a lot about the real world and how to motivate and direct people.
All of this expertise is available to you during our coaching sessions.
c) Chris is paid by you to work for you over the
weeks and months of the coaching relationship. There are no hidden
agendas; he's not going to lose patience, become bored or self-interested.
Your friends may be less reliable and less devoted.
d) Friends may be reluctant to tell you straight,
because they fear that the truth will lose their relationship with
you. They're more likely to tell you what you want to hear. Your
Life Coach will want to maintain a first class relationship with
you too, but they are paid to help you, and will tell it like it
is when they need to.
e) Some of those around you may be part of the
reason you want to change. We all fear change - in ourselves - but
also in others. How often do you notice friends offering you fatty
foods when you're on a diet? Without even realising it, those around
us can undermine our determination to make positive changes in our
lives.
f) Our friends often come from the same background
and areas as us. They may have accepted their lot in life, and may
see change as impossible. They may even see ambitions as arrogant
and unreasonable. Their negativity and skepticism about your potential
for personal growth - or the way the world is - may be a big problem
which your coach can help you with.
g) There may be some things you can't say to friends,
because they're very private - or because your friends are part
of what you want to change. Your Life Coach is professional and
detached, and your work with him is confidential. You can be completely
honest. |
Why can't I just read a
good Coaching Book? |
You can, and you should!
But read more about why
coaching works when reading doesn't here. |
How does Life Coaching differ
from counseling or Therapy? |
Life Coaching is not about deep self-analysis
or regressing to childhood events. It is forward-looking - focused
in the present and the future. It is practical and down-to-earth,
looking at concrete ways to make real progress in the world in the
areas listed above. |
Are there any problems which
Life Coaching is not appropriate for? |
Yes. Life Coaching is not appropriate for the
following: serious medical conditions, drug addiction, or mental
illness. Your coach will not necessarily be an expert in finance,
business management, law, or relationship counseling. A coach can
help you in these areas. Not by giving professional advice in them,
but by helping you to find the professional help you need. |
How Much Does Coaching Cost? |
|
Which geographical areas
do you serve? |
Most of my coaching is done by phone, and so
my catchment area is planet Earth. If phone costs are an issue,
we can use Internet Phones - I have a raft of alternatives available. |
How many coaching sessions
will I need? |
Clearly I can't guarantee how long it will
take in your particular case, but from extensive experience, the
average is between 4 and 8 sessions. By that time, we have usually
explored the problem space, defined clear, believable, exciting
new goals, designed robust strategies to reach those goals, and
started out down the path. We will have explored the "brain
space" of the client too - finding their fears, hidden beliefs
and the other things which trap people into small sad lives for
poor reasons. After that, they can push forwards on their own. Some
folks stay with me during this period, but drop the frequency -
this way they maintain focus and energy and access to problem-solving
- but at a lower cost. |
How do I know you're any good? |
Well, if you're into academic qualifications, I'm an honours
graduate of computing and electronics (Aston, 1979).
For my coaching qualification, I graduated with distinctions in
both theory and practice from Europe's largest coach training organisation,
but actually - the most important thing I bring to the table is
not my qualification but my life experience. I was born in 1959,
so I'm knocking on a bit! I've been out there in the real world
- I spent 17 years - mostly as a manager - in blue chip corporations,
so I know a lot about people and what makes them tick. I've also
had my share of personal problems, and in fact, got into coaching
through seeking help. I've been on both sides of the fence (which,
it turns out, is in fact, a comfy sofa).
You can check out my many client testimonials.
Finally, you can try me at very low cost. Throw your situation
at me, ask those nitty gritty questions, fold your arms, and see
what I can do for you and how. Then say goodbye and hang up. Decide
how you feel with no pressure from me. Call me back if you decide
to work with me. Easy.
Book your initial coaching
consultation today! |
Do you coach outside the
UK? |
My phone coaching helps people all over the
world. Skype calls over the Internet are free and effective. So
wherever you life, if you want to work with me - I'm only a quick
call away from you. |
| How many coaching sessions will
I need? |
It's impossible to predict this accurately because so much depends
on the client and the situation we're working on together, but -
in general - somewhere between 4 and 8 sessions is enough to fully
explore and understand the issues, to clarify goals, to expose and
address unhelpful thinking, to develop strategies for moving towards
the New You, and to have done enough of that to get the hang of
how staying on the horse. |
I have another question
not answered here |
Let's rap! Book an initial
coaching consultation. |