A Beginner’s Guide
If you’ve ever found yourself feeling stuck or unsure about the next step in your career or life, you’ve probably been given the suggestion to find a Coach. Then the question comes; How can coaching help me? Let’s face it, coaching can seem like one of those things that’s hard to define. It’s often misunderstood, and if you’re not sure what to expect, you might think it’s just another buzzword or trend. But trust me—it’s not.
In this post, I’m going to break it down for you. I’ll walk you through exactly what coaching is (and what it isn’t), how it can make a real difference in your life, and answer some of the most common questions I get about coaching. By the end, you’ll have a much clearer idea of whether coaching is the right tool for you to move forward and create the life you really want.
What Is Coaching?
Coaching is a collaborative partnership between you and me. It’s about unlocking your full potential, getting clear on your goals, and making a plan to move toward them. But here’s the thing: coaching isn’t about me telling you what to do. It’s about asking the right questions and creating a space where you can come up with the answers yourself.
Here’s an example: A client of mine, let’s call her Jess, was feeling stuck in her career. She had a job she didn’t love, and every time she thought about making a change, she felt overwhelmed. She came to me thinking I’d give her a list of things to do—maybe help her write a new resume or find a new job. But instead, we worked on something deeper: What does she really want? We spent time exploring what she values, what excites her, and how she could bring those things into her work. By the end of our sessions, Jess not only found clarity on her next steps, but she also felt confident to leave her job and start her own business—something she had been thinking about for years but hadn’t had the courage to do.
That’s the power of coaching. It’s not just about solving problems—it’s about unlocking solutions that already exist within you.
What Coaching Is and What It’s Not?
Let’s clear up what coaching is and isn’t, because this is where a lot of confusion happens.
“Coaching is not therapy“
Therapy often focuses on healing and understanding emotional pain from the past. It’s about working through issues and building mental health and stability. Coaching, on the other hand, is future-focused. Coaching helps you take action and move forward. We’ll explore your goals, challenges, and the mindset that’s holding you back, and work on strategies to help you get where you want to go.
Take Mark, for instance. He came to me wanting help with work-life balance. He had a demanding job and was constantly burned out. After talking through his frustrations, I realized he needed more than just “time management” tips. He needed to examine how he viewed his role at work, his boundaries, and how he could prioritize himself. We worked on mindset and strategies to put his health and family first. This wasn’t therapy; it was about taking actionable steps to improve his daily life and future success.
“Coaching is not consulting“
Consulting is when someone tells you what to do. A consultant comes in with their expertise and gives you advice based on what they know. In coaching, it’s the complete opposite. My job is to help you discover your own answers. I ask the questions, and you come up with the solutions. You’re the expert on your life. I’m here to help you clarify your goals and guide you toward achieving them.
Think of it this way: In consulting, you get a blueprint. In coaching, you’re the one who draws up the blueprint, and I’m the one who helps you build it.
“Coaching is not a magic pill“
Let’s be real: you can’t expect coaching to change your life overnight. Coaching is about commitment—commitment to your goals and to the process. It’s about putting in the work. Sure, there will be breakthroughs, but that’s because you’re doing the work, not just waiting for something to magically happen. If you’re willing to invest in yourself and take action, coaching will give you the clarity and support you need to see big changes in your life.
How Coaching Can Help You?
Now that we know what coaching is and isn’t, let’s talk about how coaching can help you.
Gain Clarity on Your Goals
Coaching helps you get clear on what you really want. A lot of people come to me saying, “I don’t even know what my goals are,” or “I don’t know where to start.” Here’s the thing: coaching helps you find that clarity. It helps you articulate what’s important to you, and how to make it happen. I had a client, Sara, who was at a crossroads in her career. We worked through her strengths, passions, and what she wanted for her future. By the end of our sessions, she was able to make the decision to go back to school and pursue a career in something she was truly passionate about.
Build Confidence and Overcome Self-Doubt
Confidence is one of the most common reasons people seek coaching. You might be thinking, “But I don’t have the confidence to take the next step.” Trust me, you’re not alone. Whether it’s asking for a promotion, speaking up at work, or even starting something new, self-doubt can be a major roadblock. Coaching helps you work through that. Together, we’ll identify those limiting beliefs and reframe them into something empowering.
Create an Action Plan
Coaching isn’t just about talking—it’s about taking action. Once we define your goals, we’ll work on a realistic action plan. This plan is customized to you, and it’s not about overwhelming you—it’s about breaking things down into manageable steps. Think of it as building a path that’s clear and achievable, so you can move forward with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Coaching
Now let’s clear up some of the most common questions people have about coaching. I get these all the time, and I think it’s important to address them so you have the full picture.
How is coaching different from consulting?
How is coaching different from therapy?
Is coaching a real thing?
If you’re not going to tell me what to do, how can coaching help me?
What exactly are ‘limiting beliefs’?
Conclusion
Coaching is about unlocking your potential and giving you the tools you need to create the life you really want. It’s not about being told what to do or receiving magic solutions—it’s about partnering with someone who can help you get clear, stay focused, and take actionable steps toward your goals.
If you’re ready to make a change and create something new, coaching could be just the thing you need to help you get there. Let’s break through those barriers together! If you’re curious to learn more or want to see if coaching is right for you, book a free discovery call, and let’s talk about how we can work together
