A Coach Doesn't Have All the Answers & That's the Point

In my experience most people don’t have a clue what a life coach is. There are a TON of misconceptions out there, a lot of assumptions and a lot of… nothing, because maybe you’ve never given it any thought at all. 

Can You Relate?

When I first heard the term, I thought a Life Coach was a super successful, high powered business professional that had it all figured out. Someone who had it all together and was, well, perfect, like the Proverbs 31 woman. 

A life coach isn’t someone who gives you all the answers. They are a partner, a guide. Your compass. They are someone who walks alongside you in a thought-provoking and creative process designed to help you maximize your potential and move confidently toward the future you want to create. You know you best. A coach is there to identify your strengths and weaknesses; see things you may not AND see them in a completely different way. Perspective and awareness of it are paramount.

A Catalyst for Transformation

Although many pretend to be, a coach is not meant to be the picture of perfection; rather they serve as a mirror, allowing you to see your situation from new angles with clarity and to help reveal possibilities you may have missed or could never think of on your own. 

Life coaching is not therapy. Coaches don’t diagnose, treat, or provide therapy for mental health conditions or past trauma. Instead, their focus is on your present and your future. Coaches are not consultants either. They won’t hand you a checklist or tell you exactly what to do because you are capable. 

They are also not a doctor or psychiatrist, and cannot make medical diagnoses or prescribe medication.

Through conversation, reflection, and powerful questioning, a coach helps you clarify your values, goals and define what truly matters to you. Then, design an action plan to make it happen. A phenomenal life coach holds space for you to explore ideas, challenges your assumptions, encourages you to stretch beyond your comfort zone and helps you build momentum. 

Action!

Life coaching empowers you to discover your own strategies, the ones that fit your unique situation. Unlike a mentor who shares advice based on personal experience, a coach helps you uncover your own wisdom and strengths.

It’s not about fixing you, because you are not broken. It’s about unlocking the version of you that’s ready to thrive. As a strategist for success, your coach is your accountability ally, keeping you on track, celebrating your progress, and helping you learn from setbacks without judgment. Finally, their role is to guide you toward finding your own answers, so that your progress is meaningful, lasting, and truly your own.

With a clearer understanding of what life coaching is and isn't, why wouldn’t you  want to take full advantage of the tools set at your fingertips? Change starts immediately. It’s up to you to say, “GO!"