What Do I Really Do? Life Coaching Defined

“With all respect to you and your profession, but I can’t imagine that there is any demand for this kind of service,” an old friend of mine said after I had mentioned that I was a life coach. “What does it even mean? A coach, like a sports coach?”

“Not like a sports coach,” I quickly clarified, but then I got stuck. I knew how to explain coaching by what it was not, but I struggled to explain what it really was.

The same happened a few days later when I chatted with a fellow mom about healthy life styles and longevity. When she found out I was a life coach, she asked if I gave advice on how to live to a 100.

“Actually, I don’t give advice at all,” I responded immediately. I quickly followed with a few other things that I didn’t do or my clients did, but in the end, what DID I really do?

I knew a long answer, with examples and anecdotes. I even tried to explain it in an earlier post, “A Friend in Need (of Coaching) is a Friend Indeed.” But I didn’t know how to introduce coaching in a nutshell to those who had never experienced it. Based on my recent interactions, there was a need for that.

So, in a nutshell, and from my experience, what is Life Coaching and what does a Life Coach do?

Life Coaching is a professional partnership between the Coach and the Client. The Coach works with the Client to help them reach their personal or professional goals. The Coach listens to understand and asks clarifying and reflective questions, as well as provides safe and ample space for verbal and somatic exploration. The Coach identifies and offers tools and techniques that serve the Client best in the process. A successful coaching session leaves the Client heard, understood, and equipped to make a step towards their goals, which can be anything from reconnecting with an estranged friend, requesting a promotion, or finding balance in life.

Dear Readers, I’m curious about your thoughts. Does the above definition make Life Coaching any clearer, or am I still failing at explaining it in plain English?

Also, what is your idea or experience of Life Coaching? Do you have any questions I could answer? I am looking forward to hearing from you.