Howdy, friend!
Coaches are a dime a dozen, nowadays. Amiright?
It seems like you can’t hop on Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube without someone promising that they can change your life forever…! If you buy their program. But wait, there’s more…! *insert eye roll here*
Have you experienced this? Honestly, these kinds of ads and promises have led to a lot of confusion around the coaching industry, and I want you to make an informed decision. Today, I want to bust a couple of myths about what coaching is and what coaching isn’t – so let’s dive in!
Myth 1: All coaches are charlatans – just out to get your money!
Ok, well. Some “coaches” do give the rest of us a bad rap! I’ll be honest, there are people out there who know just enough to get them into trouble, who are more concerned about profit than people, and who are just trying to make a sale. BUT! Not all coaches are like this.
I, personally, hold 4 separate certifications in Health Coaching, Life Coaching, Transformational Coaching, and Habit Change Coaching. It has taken me time and a hefty chunk of money to learn how to change myself – and help you achieve your goals as well! Many, many of us coaches out here have and are still investing into their education so that we have the tools to help you – whatever your struggle is – be the best version of you. And we’ve done this because, one way or another, we’ve experienced our own struggles, witnessed the power of coaching, and want to pay it forward. Now, obviously I can’t speak for all coaches, but I know that for myself, and many of my colleagues, this is true.
Myth 2: If I hire a coach, I will automatically achieve all of the success that they promise!
Whoa, whoa, hold your horses! It is so nice, so easy to see all of those “guarantees”, all of the glowing testimonials, the pretty graphics, and think “Oh! This coach is going to make me the best ______!” But that’s simply not the case. Coaching is a highly personal endeavor, and success requires 2 things:
- Trusting your coach – which requires rapport, understanding and alignment. This is actually the purpose of a “discovery call” or “strategy session”, to make sure that your coach understands you, that you like your coach’s style, and that both of you feel like you are a good fit for each other!
- Willingness to put in the work! Your coach should ask you to do hard things. Scary things. Things that you don’t think you’re ready for. Maybe to explore an uncomfortable train of thought or belief. But this is where the change for the better happens!
So, like Tony Robbins said, “All growth begins at the end of your comfort zone.” A coach is there to inspire you, to help you discover what’s holding you back, and to empower you with tools + techniques to achieve the change you’re desiring… But your coach cannot do your work for you.
Myth 3: I have to be completely ready to transform myself, or it will all be worthless.
Oh, honey! I get it! It’s scary to look at your life, look at the potential successes in coaching, and see the great big gap in between. But. If you wait until you’re completely ready, you will never start. Just like with marriage, kids, and cartwheels, it’s important to have good information, to have tools or skills… and then to jump in. In order to start any sort of motion, you must press PLAY and start! Change is all about consistency and gaining momentum and that cannot happen if you are standing still. And you ask, well what about the slip ups? The backward motion? The stumbles and falls? One of the things that a good coach will do is hold space for you. That sounds a little woo-woo, so what does it mean? I’m glad you asked. Holding space simply means that I, as your coach, have listened to your hopes and dreams, have helped you create a plan to experience your version of success, and then, when you’re having a sucky day, and everything is going wrong, and there’s just no way you can do it…! I am there for you. I am holding on to your hopes, your dreams, your potential, so that I can remind you that you are more than your present self. You are more than your circumstances. And you are not alone!
Alright, friend! I know that was a lot! But I hope that it helped clear up a few of the common misconceptions that surround the coaching industry. Here are a few action steps to take if you’re interested in coaching:
- Find a coach that you connect with – beyond their social media. Take a look at their websites, talk to them or their team in the DMs, find out what their credentials are.
- Take advantage of the free call! Don’t feel pressured to sign up, rather, just view it as an information gathering time. If you connect, great! If not, don’t strap yourself into 6 months or a year of misery.
- Don’t wait until you’re ready. If you have the desire to change, start NOW. Find a coach that can connect the dots from where you are to where you want to be, and go from there!