When should you get a life coach?

If you’re reading this article right now, you’re probably considering whether getting a life coach is a natural next step for you. Should you have someone there at the start of your entrepreneurial journey? Is a life coach someone you should reach out to when things feel stuck? Or do you need to reach out when things are going well and you want to maintain that success?

Today I want to talk about when you should look for a life coach so you can get clear on when the right time is to reach out for support.

Do you really need a life coach or a therapist?

To start, let’s make sure that what you’re really looking for is a life coach and not a therapist. If you’ve found this article because you’re feeling overwhelmed and struggling with poor mental health, you might need to consider which one you’re really looking for. There are certain differences between a therapist and a life coach, and what you need will depend on what you’re struggling with right now.

• A therapist is a health professional who will work with you long-term to help you diagnose and work through a multitude of issues relating to past traumas, difficult relationships and self-destructive behaviours. Experiencing symptoms related to a mental health condition is one major reason why people decide to see a therapist. These might include:
  • Anxiety
  • Addiction
  • Eating disorders
  • Depression
  • Grief
  • Stress
  • Thoughts of self-harm or suicidal thoughts
  • Trauma
• A life coach, on the other hand, is not a healthcare professional. They are there to help you clarify your goals, identify the obstacles holding you back, and then come up with strategies for overcoming each obstacle. The renowned life coach Tony Robbins defines a life coach as someone who “takes the client’s current starting point as an acceptable neutral ground and is more action-based from that point onward.”

Think now about the issues you’re facing. Are you stuck at a crossroads and not sure what the next step is? Do you want help taking action in getting your ideas off the ground? If you’re looking for someone who can help you unblock obstacles and take action, then it’s likely you’ll benefit from a life coach.

If, however, the problem is related to a deeper mental health issue, then you will need to seek the help of a therapist.

5 signs you might need a life coach

Everyone’s journey is unique and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer for when you should seek out the help of a life coach. There’s a common misconception that only those who are stuck or underperforming need the help of a coach, but the truth is coaching is an excellent tool to help great people overcome challenges and become even better.

It’s precisely why some of the top leaders in the FTSE 100 have their own coaches. 

Here are five signs it might be time for you to seek out the help of a life coach.

1. You feel stuck in your life

This is probably one of the biggest reasons people start to consider life coaching to help them. You might be dissatisfied with work or life and want a change. Or perhaps you’ve been going for a little while with a particular venture and things just aren’t moving forward. A life coach can help you find clarity and uncover the roadblocks that are stopping you from getting you to where you want to be.

2. You have a vision, but no plan of action

You might have an amazing vision of what you want to do, but when it comes to making it happen you’re not sure where to start. It’s a frustrating place to be, but the good news is that the right life coach can work with you to create a plan of action towards achieving that vision. With high-level accountability from your coach, you can make consistent progress towards realising your vision with support from someone who’s been where you are now.

3. You’re plagued by self-doubt

There’s a quote by the famous poet Sylvia Plath that says: “The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.” And it’s so true. When you’re doubting yourself and feeling unsure of whether you’re capable of making something a success, you start letting opportunities pass you by instead of grabbing them with both hands. Your creativity doesn’t have space to flourish when you’re crushed under the weight of self-doubt, but a good life coach can help you work through these past negative beliefs so you can be your best and most brilliant self.

4. You’re always feeling unproductive

We’ve all been there – we start the day with good intentions but by late afternoon we find we’ve spent the day procrastinating and have little to show in the way of results. While it’s normal to experience this now and then, it can become a real barrier if it’s happening every day. And when this is combined with turning to unhealthy habits to feel better, it becomes a vicious cycle of unproductivity that prevents you showing up as your best self. A good life coach can help you develop strategies to manage your time effectively, create healthier habits and achieve more with less.

5. You want to take your life from good to incredible

A life coach can do more than just help motivate you to take the first step or help you make better decisions during challenging times. Coaching can help you recognise and develop your own strengths, target and improve weaknesses, improve your outlook in life and work, and unlock your full potential. You may be doing well now, but have you ever had that nagging feeling that perhaps you could do more or just be more? Does your success right now align with the incredible vision of success you really aspire to?

Questions to ask yourself when looking for a life coach

There’s no wrong time to start looking for a life coach. Whether you’re just getting started, need help overcoming a stubborn obstacle or just want to take your life from satisfactory to amazing, the right coach can help you truly flourish.

There are so many coaches out there, each with specific expertise and specialisms. What matters is that you choose the right one for you.

Ask yourself:

• “What would I like help with?”
• “Who’s living the life I really want to have?”
• “Who’s doing what I want to do best?”
• “What results have they accomplished with other clients?”

Take your time over this – choosing the right life coach takes time, so don’t be afraid to ask a prepared list of questions when booking a discovery call. For more help on finding the right life coach, check out my blog post ‘Top Tips for Choosing the Right Life Coach’.

In conclusion

I hope this blog post has helped you to get clear on whether it’s time to reach out to a life coach. Do your research, ask questions and feel excited – after all, you’re about to start an incredible new chapter!

If you’d like to find out more about the coaching I provide, I’d love to chat with you and answer any questions you have. Get in touch and let’s see if we can start something amazing together.

Whatever you’re going through and wherever you’re at right now, by having a life coach by your side, you can live out your fullest potential and make your vision a reality.