During periods of great challenge and uncertainty, loving and kind souls without fail will appear where they’re needed. These last few years have been difficult for many, and it comes as no surprise that once again, beautiful and caring people have stepped in to bring comfort and hope to those around them. Among these incredible souls are life coaches, whose mission is to guide others through the fog of uncertainty.
Chances are that at some point in your journey, you’ve met a life coach; whether you’ve sought out their service or simply had the pleasure of meeting them in passing. Those who are called to the life coach profession have a deep commitment to the service of others, and exist as guiding lights in the world. Suffice to say, they’re hard to miss!
But what, exactly, is a life coach? What do they do? What does it take to become a life coach? In this article you’ll learn from Master Life Coach and Founder of SLCT, Richard Seaman, about the role of a life coach and how you can embrace a thriving career with purpose.
Aren’t life coaches just another type of counselor?
One of the most common misconceptions about life coaching is that it’s another form of counseling. While it’s true that life coaches serve as a rock and guiding light for their clients, there are distinct differences between counseling and coaching.
Counselors are primarily focused on explaining why something happened in your life. Why can’t you lose the weight? Why didn’t you get the job? Why are you in a relationship that makes you unhappy? These are all valid questions, but they focus too much on the past.
The past is written. While it most certainly plays a critical role in your life story, it is unchangeable. Permanent. Life coaches, on the other hand, live in the present. We look toward the future and the story that has yet to unfold. We are always reaching forward so that we can help our clients grow and achieve their goals.
Simply put, life coaches don’t ask why. We ask how. How are you going to lose the weight? How are you going to get your next job? How are you going to find a relationship that supports you?
We not only ask how our clients will achieve their goals, we walk them through the strategies for succeeding. Life coaches hold their clients accountable to their goals and seek opportunities, not excuses. We’re always looking for what comes next, and how we will get there.
Life coaches build bridges to the future
Another key distinction of the life coaching profession is that we understand that our clients don’t need to be told what to do. In fact, they already have the answers within. As life coaches our job is to draw those answers out and bring our clients to the “Ah ha!” moments that allow them to move forward and transform their lives.
In fact, transformation lives and breathes within “ah ha” revelations. The clarity a client experiences through working with a life coach helps reveal the way forward, and the gaps that might lie in the way. Throughout our teachings at Seattle Life Coach Training, we examine what is referred to as the gap. Whether you realize it or not, we’ve all experienced gaps at one point or another.
A gap is simply this: you’re not where you were. You’re not where you want to be. You’re here. And “here” can be a challenging and confusing place if you don’t have a bridge to the next phase of your journey. A life coach helps you build the bridge to where you want to go.
The true value of a life coach lies in their unique ability to craft strategies that are personalized to each client and their goals. Consider how Tom Brady’s coaches teach to his specific needs. You can imagine that his goals are much different than a quarterback on a little league team. Life coaches work through similar unique circumstances with their clients.
Every client’s journey is personal, and life coaches utilize a wide array of tools and strategies to craft plans that work for each client’s unique path. There’s never a one size fits all approach to life coaching. Through the use of carefully hone skills and tools, a life coach can examine the gaps in their client’s life and build the bridge to the other side.
A deeper look at SLCT’s certified life coach training program
Richard, along with his team of life coach educators, lead one of the nation’s most sought after and successful life coach training programs. This immersive online program brings together like minded souls who are driven by their passion for serving others. SLCT’s online life coach certification program is a 120 hour interactive journey that gives students the tools they need to create a thriving career with purpose.
SLCT takes a personal, professional and spiritual approach to life coach education. We believe that students who are called to life coaching should be nurtured not only spiritually, but be given the practical tools and wisdom to launch a successful career. In our loving and safe environment we teach our students how to utilize their God-given gifts and share them with others in a way that is purposeful and profitable.
Our online program is broken down into 3 levels:
- The Foundations of Coaching
- Core Strategies for Coaching
- Advanced Strategies for Coaching
During each 4 hour class our students learn how to use a new coaching tool that they will use in their day to day practice. Our educators take a hands-on approach to ensure students understand each strategy and tool. Students learn from live demonstrations, and then practice each tool with their peers to develop the skills they need to expertly assist their future clients.
Watch Master Life Coach Richard Seaman coach a real client.
Upon completing Level 1 of our course, students will have the tools they need to begin practicing on their own. We encourage our students to use their newfound knowledge to practice core competencies, and to begin to build their book of business.
As students navigate through the final 2 levels of our program, we teach them the practical business skills they need to grow their client base. We take the time to ensure our students are successful, because we know the world desperately needs their gifts, and it’s our job to help our students share their light with others.
Do I have what it takes to be a life coach?
We always tell our prospective students: if you have a curiosity for people, you will succeed as a life coach. No matter what your current or past calling has been, your passion for others will be what drives you to become a successful coach.
The SLCT certified life coach training program prepares you to succeed in a career that is purpose-driven and spiritually & financially fulfilling. If you’re ready to help others undergo life changing transformations, you’re ready to become a life coach.
Learn more about our life coach certification program by speaking with our admissions counselor. We can’t wait to hear your story.
