Is coaching truly helpful?
Coaching – is it really helpful?
That is such a valid question, and I am happy to help you navigate the crucial decision-making process that you are going through if you’re not quite sure yet that working with a coach would support your growth.
I personally went through the same internal debate a few years ago before deciding to sign up with a coach. Let me share what I found out after working with my first coach.
Overall, working with a coach turned out to be less practical and more intangible than I had imagined. Here’s what happened:
1.Focus on Personal Growth and Clarity
The first thing that I loved about working with a coach was that for the first time, I had dedicated time to speak about my growth with someone who truly listened.
My coach highlighted the strengths he noticed in me and questioned with curiosity some of my behaviors that I had never questioned before, leading me to greater self-awareness.
When you understand yourself more clearly, you can make better decisions, set more effective goals, and create lasting positive change.
The second thing that I noticed was how anytime I felt stuck or unsure of a situation, my coach found a way to make me gain clarity, through holding space for me and asking me the questions that I would never have asked myself. I understood that the power of coaching lays in your coach’s intuition to ask the right question at the right time.
That is what creates magical shifts in you and opens the door for transformation.
2. Accountability and Motivation
As much as I was familiar with the concept of accountability through my studies, group activities and work, I realized that I had never held myself accountable in a professional way for my personal matters. Having someone to check in with and to celebrate my wins made it easier to stay accountable to challenges and goals.
With regular coaching sessions, you're more likely to follow through on your commitments and make consistent progress.
Motivation-wise, having someone who believed in me and challenged me whenever they felt that I could go beyond my own perception of success, simply kept me motivated.
Coaches can help reignite your passion and keep you inspired, especially during challenging times.
3. Expert Guidance and Support
Because my coach had specialized knowledge and experience in the area I was evolving, they could help me see the challenges I was facing from new perspectives. Whether it was career-related, life transitions, or relationship guidance, my coach could help me make conscious decisions.
Different from seeking guidance from a peer or a more senior colleague, my coach provided a confidential space where I could discuss my challenges and goals without fear of judgment. This allowed for open exploration of my thoughts and feelings with no censoring.
4. Long-Term Impact
The True magic of coaching is how it keeps benefiting me way after my coaching has ended. I thought that my coaching journey was it. Little did I know! I had to live it myself to understand what any coach tells you: “Transformation happens outside sessions”. In my case, the transformation continued unfolding way beyond my first coaching program, making me bolder and more confident in myself.
Coaching increases your self-confidence by showing you the progress you’ve made and reminding you of your potential. With each win, big or small, you become more capable and resilient.
The biggest take-away from my personal coaching journey is that coaching is not “a thing to do” nor a “service to get” so that you can get the things that you want in life. Coaching is a real experience of self-exploration and self-transformation that will bring clarity on what you really want and who you truly are.
Your coaching journey is only the beginning of your personal transformation process and believe me, this is the most remarkable, exciting and captivating journey you’ll ever get on.