If you want to get great results or even become a real PRO in any field like sport, acting, singing, you will get a coach to guide you, support you, and push you. Makes perfect sense.

If you want to get great results in life, then you should work with a life coach.

In this article, I’ll share several criteria you should consider that will make your search and selection of the right coach much easier (and faster).

Working with a life coach can be quite a personal process that can sometimes last for months or even years, so it’s essential that you find a coach that you really connect with. There is a wide range of coaches who vary in terms of their personality, expertise, fees, coaching programs, as well as their approach.

If you’ve been considering working with a life coach, you’ve probably asked yourself questions like:

What sort of coach should I look for?

Shall I work with a coach in person or online?

How much is it going to cost me?

What will happen during the coaching session?

What if I don’t like my coach?

Such questions are totally normal and actually very important to ask and answer.

1) What do you need your life coach to help you with?

If you’ve decided that you want to work with a coach, you want to find one that will be the most qualified and the best fit to help you reach your goals and overcome your challenges.

If you want to work on your life in general and address a wide range of areas, you should look for a life coach “generalist” that will be able to support you through all that. Keep in mind that they may not be a high-level expert on any of these areas.

You may have one specific area you want to improve, such as; career, confidence, public speaking, health, or productivity. Then I suggest you search for a coach who specialises in that particular area. They will generally be able to provide better guidance and will often have relevant resources.

For example, a career coach will be able to help you improve your CV, understands what skills are transferable, and understands the job landscape.

2) Do you want to work with your life coach face to face or via phone/Skype?

You may be considering whether to work with your coach in person or remotely. Either option has it’s own pros and cons. It depends on your location, preferences, and area of coaching.

The benefit of face to face coaching is that it can feel more personal. Your coach can see you and can give you feedback on your body language, which may be necessary for an interview or public speaking coaching.

The downside may be that for face coaching you’ll most likely need to travel to see your coach, which may be inconvenient. But hey, if you really want to improve your life, a bit of travel is a small price to pay.

You can also work with a coach over Skype or over the phone. It has the advantage of convenience and perhaps even anonymity if you choose to work via the phone. This may make coaching on very personal issues a bit easier. Remote coaching also widens the options of coaches you could work with as you’re no longer restricted by proximity.

3) How much will life coaching cost?

First of all, don’t think of it as paying for a coach, but rather as investing in yourself. It may be the best money you’ve ever spent.

Coaching fee can vary widely. However, whether your budget is £30 or £10,000, you can find a coach who in that bracket.

Generally speaking, more experienced, highly trained, and established coaches will charge a higher fee. No matter how much you’re ready to spend, do your research on the coaches you’re considering.

See what their previous clients say about them, whether they have independent reviews, how long they’ve been coaching, and how established and serious they are.

My personal suggestion is; find someone who is walking their talk, puts up a lot of resources, has excellent reviews and takes good care of themselves and their business. All these are a good sign.

Find a coach you will be able to work with for several months.

4) Do you connect with your coach?

Whether you are planning to work with your coach for three sessions or three years, your sessions should be something you enjoy and look forward to.

Coaches are people, and just as everyone else, they have different personalities, attitudes, and quirks, so it’s important that you find a coach you really connect with.

How will you know?

Firstly, their website or marketing materials should speak to you.

Secondly, you’ll usually have some sort of initial consultation with them, so pay attention to how you feel.

Are you comfortable speaking and opening up to them?

Are they engaged fully?

Are they interested in or even excited about working with you?

By the end of the consultation, you should feel hopeful, inspired, and clear about what it will look like to go ahead with them.

If so, go for it.

If not, keep looking.

5) Does the coach have the right coaching approach for you?

Coaching styles vary just as much as personalities of coaches.

Some coaches are very gentle in their coaching approach, and others are more intense or assertive.

Some coaches work in a very intuitive way, other coaches have their set and tested methodologies they work through.

Again, it purely depends on what you prefer and what you need.

Keep in mind that the approach you like may not be the coaching approach that would be the most effective for you.

6) How long should you work with your life coach?

This depends on whether you have one specific issue to resolve (like getting a job) or whether you want to keep advancing in life and keep getting better.

You could have one session with a coach (if they offer such option) or you could work with someone for several years.

I believe that for the best results, working with a coach should be a long term or even an ongoing process. It will help you maintain the results you’ve got and prevent slipping back to your old ways, and more importantly, to continually grow and improve.

Don’t you want to be the best you can be?

In summary, when you’re looking for a coach, take your time to pick the right one. You can shop around, speak to a few and then decide.

Your personal development should be an exciting and inspiring journey.

If you’d like to explore if I’d be the right life coach for you and you the right client for me?
Contact me and let’s schedule the initial discovery session and find out if we’d be the right match.

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