How to Choose a Life Coach

The first and relatively easy step is what I call
“matching the demographics”.

If you’re set on face-to-face coaching then you’ll need someone who you can reach within a reasonable traveling distance.

Now, before I move on, let me assure you that being coached remotely (Zoom and Skype are both very popular applications for those with broadband internet because they are free services) is an option that you should not discount lightly.

Believe it or not, there are many benefits to being coached remotely – but that’s a topic for a separate article.

If you work best with people of your own – or the opposite – gender, then this too will influence your choice.

There are many excellent and vibrant young coaches around but you may feel uncomfortable with having a coach who is half your age. Alternatively, as a young person, you might prefer to have a coach that has extensive life experience to draw on; someone who’s been there and done that!

Coaching fees come into the equation too, of course. But, if at all possible, I would encourage you not to restrict the field by applying this filter right up front.

Look past the advertised fees if you can, and find your best match using the steps I outline in this article. Then, if necessary, try negotiating with your preferred coach to fit your budget.

Many coaches are negotiable on fees and some will offer a substantial discount for payment in advance for a full programme of coaching.

My advice is to consider what you will pay for the full programme of coaching. Don’t stint on time. Coaching that is genuinely transformational in nature can take six or seven months and anything from 10-20 sessions.

Now do a little cost-benefit analysis. Imagine transforming your life, finding your life purpose and/or achieving a very important goal? How does the value of this compare with your investment in coaching?

If you’re like most people with reasonably big personal aspirations, the investment decision should be a ‘no-brainer’!

The third filter to apply is what I like to call:
“matching the skills”

Once you’ve decided on a rough demographic profile for your ideal coach and the niche (if any) that you fall into, you can consider the level of skill that your ideal life coach should have.

Now, remember that there is, at least currently, no form of statutory regulation governing the life coaching ‘profession’ unlike that you would find in the medical and counselling professions for example.

In one sense this is a good thing because there are no barriers to entry into an industry where having a passion for people and a gift for helping others achieve their dreams is far more important than a raft of academic qualifications.

But, on the other hand, it can also be a bad thing. Any Tom, Dick or Harriet can write ‘life coach’ on their business card and set themselves up in practice without having the necessary self awareness, knowledge, skills, techniques, experience and structure to underpin their coaching.

Good quality life coaches are those that deliver outstanding results for their clients. Put another way, a coach is either really effective at helping his or her clients transform their lives – or not! It’s as simple as that.

Without word-of-mouth endorsements and client testimonials, life coaches cannot survive in the field for long.

So my point is this. Always ask any prospective coach for testimonials or references – and check them out.

You can also ask the coach where, and in what methods, they have been trained. Ask to see a certificate and do some research on the coach training provider to see if they are reputable.

Finally, check how authentically passionate the life coach is about their calling. Do they subscribe to any code of ethics? Are they registered with any body that promotes ongoing professional development?