What Is A Life or Business Coach?

People often ask me, What is a coach and what does a coach do? What’s the difference between a coach and a therapist? How can someone benefit from having a coach?

The best among us, the Michael Jordans of the world, all had a coach. They still do. 

Why? 

Because a coach can see what we can’t, challenge us, hold us accountable, and help us go from “just OK” to kick ass awesome. 

Life or business coaching is like sparring in martial arts or boxing. We train, we practice, we look for blind spots, and we improve together. 

The result: You become the champion that you know you are! 

Unlike in therapy, where patients are approached from the medial standpoint and usually diagnosed and treated accordingly, in coaching we focus more on solution-driven collaborative transformation, removing present obstacles, and achieving future goals—and challenging you, guiding you, at a peer-to-peer level (versus hierarchical in therapy), and holding you accountable in order to reach your highest and greatest potential. 

Both therapists and coaches help people make positive changes in their lives and many people who are not ill per-se seek the assistance of both therapists and coaches. I’ve seen therapists in the past when I was working through some traumatic experiences, too. While there are clear overlaps, the services therapists and coaches do are distinct, and for a reason. A choice between a therapist and a coach—or both—is a very personal one. 

In my coaching approach, I borrow from various fields—from leadership development, business, and philosophy to psychology, communications, and spirituality—as well as my own experiences to help people and organizations craft a new path, see the possibilities and opportunities, and push forward to new heights. 

So, how do you know you need a coach? 

See if you answer YES to any of these questions: 

Do you feel stuck? You have a vision, but lack a plan? You’re stressed out? You’re facing a major transition? Have you lost momentum? Would you like to be more decisive, take action, or get help creating a vision? Are your limiting beliefs holding you back? Are you focused on your outcome? Your personal and professional lives are out of sync? You can’t get everything done that you need to in the time you have? Your actions aren’t supporting your ideas? Your finances are a mess? You want to get the edge and take your life to the next level? You want a new job? You’re ready to step out of your comfort zone? You’re ready to face some intimidating challenges? You’d like to be more accountable? You need an unvarnished yet motivating sounding board? You need help obtaining new skills? You need to enhance your communication skills? You’re confused about your purpose and need more clarity? 

Lastly, whenever people ask me about coaching, I simply say: give it a try with a complimentary 30 minute session.