Life coaching
Get the most out of life!

Life coaching aims to advise and to help a client achieve a sense of clarity of their options, and to work on giving the client the confidence to work through problematic instances in their life, which may be holding them back from taking the time to enjoy their life. It's not about making judgements about the client's life, but instead telling the client how they could live it, and how much better it could be.

Social science and individual experience have repeatedly shown that people are the result of their genes, their circumstances in which they live, and their life experiences. Successful coaching, in this case, should primarily be based on a good understanding of each one of these factors - and not on poor judgement, bias, or a focus on some behaviour. There must be a mutual trust between client and coach, where the relationship presents both client and coach as equals.

The client, however, must have a strong desire to focus on their future by incorporating their past. Failure to do so can result in making poor decisions for themselves. It also helps if there is a willingness on the client's behalf to work through particularly difficult issues regarding empowerment and self-confidence, which could well lead to a more productive life. The client must also accept and be happy with who they are, before agreeing to make slight, defined changes in order to improve their life.

Life coaches are not therapists, nor are they consultants. This form of psychological intervention and analysis are not in any way a part of their role. Whilst this form of coaching has its roots in business coaching, the fundamental purposes are both distinct and differentiated.

Coaching for life draws some inspiration from the likes of psychology, sociology, and positive adult development (whilst still maintaining a completely mutual and respectful service to the client - allowing them to make their own decisions). Whilst it can apply mentoring, some form of assessment and behaviour modification, behaviour modelling and goal-setting, it remains a service that acts only to encourage the right decision from the client, and not from the coach.

There are many coach training programs available these days, with trained life coaches presenting certification and credentials from the now numerous institutions which recognise the skills of life coaches. There are multiple levels of qualification - and it is usually advised that a potential client use a coach who has had both experience in life coaching, and substantial qualifications.

This becomes particularly controversial, when it means that any person can call themselves a coach - with or without any documentation. All these people need to rely on are the custom who are more than willing to pay less than premium price for their services.

This method is packed full of pitfalls, with the only advantage being that it is quicker than working for a qualification. This is compensated however, in terms of experience. It can take around five years for an unqualified individual to reach some degree of continuous success with clients.

• More on business- and life coaching.