Becoming...A Paid Life Coach

                

                                         

 Building a business can be a daunting task.  Taking into account the commonly held belief that "most fail in their year of start up."  According to Forbes, the Small Business Administration (SBA) says, "...only roughly eighty percent of small businesses survive their first year."  A practice or business requires a great deal of sowing and investing, with very little harvest at the beginning.  However, with the right tools, training and dedication to your vision it will stand a fighting chance at succeeding.

            
Starting a coaching practice is no different.  Let me highlight a few personal basics of establishing a coaching practice. Since life coaching emerged on to the mainstream, people have hired coaches for practically every area of life. That tells me there is a need for the coaching profession in our society; yet having a market for it does not guarantee success in the field.  For example:  people will always need clothes, yet we have seen many clothing stores fail.

            
My success will be dependant on several factors, one being the four levels of the coaching journey scale - and where I find myself on that scale.  Here are the four levels of that scale: 

1. mid-life career transition
2. avocation
3.  job 
4. career

My position on that scale will often determine the extent of my investment.

         
Mid-life career transition – is more like a hobby. This level a coach does the work for the enjoyment of it, often without a salary or payment for services. If the work becomes fulfilling, it might transition to an avocation, the next level on the journey.  At this level there is little to no pay for the work.  A coach might consider some volunteer work to gain experience in the field, networking opportunities to start growing his or her practice.  Volunteering is beneficial both for the organization and my own growth as a coach.  Here is an opportunity to gain valuable experience and improve my skills; hopefully it transitions to a job where I am paid enough to care for myself. The final level is career; this is where I have found my true calling. This is what I know I was created to do, it feels right and I go to work at getting results for the client.  If my reputation lives up to that, before long my client list will increase and the business will grow.

As the business grows, coaches must stay abreast of the changing markets, such as fee changes, educational improvement opportunities and trends. It is necessary to monitor and inventory marketing tools to ensure they stay relevant to meet the goals of the business.  Don't disregard your  network, we can always learn from others who may have more experience in the field - or on a different level of this scale.

Stay alert to  weaknesses that could sabotage the practice. The most common are a lack of business skills, improper marketing and a lack of technical knowledge.  These weaknesses may be corrected through continuing education (which is a key component to staying relevant) and engaging your network of experts. In addition, search out resources via reputable publications and never be too apprehensive to solicit help by asking questions of those with more experience.

A life coach will market themselves based on their level of experience and credentialing - credentials matter.  Credentialing doesn't guarantee earning potential, but it sure positions you better. Potential clients, people in general, are drawn to field experts - individuals who they believe can get them the results they are looking for. 

Some necessary characteristics I believe will always be at the core of a successful coaching practice are trust, integrity, hard work and good communication skills. A life coach has to want the best for others, and be ready to celebrate the milestones along the coaching journey.  A Christian Life Coach can only fulfill that if they have a healthy sense of self with an identity in Christ.  Understanding that this journey is not about me, it is about getting results for the client.

            
There might be times when a coach will have to pause and determine if coaching is really for them - and I am sure that will happen with every career choice.  There will be obstacles that will arise to challenge your decision to embark on this journey of  "helping people." Still, I learn from past clients of the impact my work have had on their life.  It feeds my soul when a client realizes their God given potential, that reason they were created and their value. In those moments I see how God adds life to the work by adding His stamp of approval on the lives being impacted.

           
Finally, people will be drawn to your practice as a result of what they have heard, however, they will stay because of how you make them feel – they will tell a friend if they believe results are inevitable.  

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