Frequently Asked Questions about Coaching
What is coaching?
Coaching focuses entirely on YOU! A coach acts as a partner, giving focus and feedback for your plans, goals and purpose. Coaches listen in a nonjudgmental way and ask the relevant questions, helping you sort through the steps you will need to take to complete your weekly targets. You will have virtual control over the results you achieve through coaching, because you set the coaching goals, and the coaching process allows you to achieve them.
Why is coaching becoming so popular, so quickly?
It works. Once you see how much you can accomplish with a coach in your corner, you'll want to share it with your friends and family. Sometimes your goal includes pruning activities to be able to have more time for your friends and family. They'll like that too.
How soon can you expect results?
Each client is unique. There is no prescribed timetable but generally three to six months is a good amount of time to allow for completing many goals. Some people use their coach to support them for longer periods, when the task in more ambitious or challenging.
What is special about coaching?
A coach places your success first and foremost. A coach naturally cares about others and has the curiosity and ability to nurture success and satisfaction in those they interact with.
Who hires a coach?
People who are looking for something more in life. They are generally successful in many areas of their life but a restlessness is causing them to search for more. There are certain topics that generally come up. Many people have worked on their careers, their relationships, their finances, their health. When people are thinking "outside of the box" the subjects that work with coaching are limitless. Kite surfing lessons anyone?
Some people work on simplifying their commitments, reducing the feeling of being overwhelmed, uncluttering their living space.
How does a coaching program work?
You and your coach will develop an ongoing relationship, based upon trust. During your time together, your coach will focus their full energy and attention towards your chosen exploration and direction. Your coach will be totally objective, nonjudgmental and a supportive mirror for you. Your coach will also provide new perspectives and encouragement to give you the insight, and confidence to take life-affirming actions towards your goals. Your coach will assist your ability to identify your obstacles and then overcome them.
Is working over the phone effective?
Working over the phone is convenient and practical for most people. It saves time and money and you can be coached in your bedroom slippers and no one has to know.
Why work with a coach?
A coach can guide your explorations, focus on solutions, and be someone to try out new ideas with. You will discover truths about yourself, and accomplish more than when you were trying to struggle through certain projects on your own.
Coaches assist you to achieve your goals.
You set the goals and the reason you hire a coach is to make sure you actually accomplish your goals.
Coaches are not experts nor do they profess to be.
Your coach will assist you to become the expert on yourself.
Coaches are equal partners with you.
A coach is like a copilot on a plane traveling to the same destination (the accomplishment of their clients goals). Coaches do not exhibit a superior position.
Coaches do NOT provide expert advice.
A coach encourages you to find the answers that have virtually been there all along.
Coaches perform NO tasks on behalf of their clients.
You perform all of the action steps to achieve your goals. (You always fly the plane.)
What training and credentials do coaches have?
The International Coaching Federation is the most recognized certifying body. They require comprehensive training and supervised coaching sessions. It takes about a year and a half to complete all of their requirements in an accredited program.
How is life coaching different from therapy?
The therapy focuses on helping clients overcome past problems that are interfering with their ability to fully function. Therapists invite their clients to revisit past events to resolve issues that have burdened them. Therapists are experts in their field, not equal partners with their clients.
The coaching process focuses on you (the client) achieving your coaching goals. Coaches are equal partners who assist you to grow and take the actions necessary to achieve your goals. You will have control over the results you achieve through your commitment to the process.
Why haven't you heard more about life coaching?
Life coaching is not as well known, as it should be, because it is a private and confidential process. You will rightfully receive all of the rewards from achieving your coaching goals. It is neither the place nor the purpose of a coach to be acknowledged.
Why do clients pay in advance?
Coaching works because you are committed to your success. The financial commitment is one piece of the ultimate outcome and paying in advance demonstrates this commitment to yourself and the world.
How long is the commitment for coaching?
There is a minimum of 3 months commitment for the G.O.T. Coaching Program. This is the amount of time it typically takes to clarify, make the commitment to and then complete a major target.
How flexible is the scheduling?
You are committing to from 2 to 4 sessions a month, so there is a certain amount of built-in flexibility. If you need to change your appointment time, we can negotiate for a new time, as long as a new time is available and it is changed more then 24 hours before your session.
What if I start coaching and suddenly realize it is not working for me at this time?
If you are not getting value from your coaching sessions, it will be clear to both of us. You can stop at the beginning of any month, during your program. The fees will be adjusted and you will receive a refund for the remaining sessions.