“Each person holds so much power within themselves that needs to be let out. Sometimes they just need a little nudge, a little direction, a little support, a little coaching, and the greatest things can happen.”
Pete Carrol
No matter how you look at it, life can be challenging sometimes. We are in a constant state of change throughout our lives and nothing in life is guarenteed. With so many pressures, decisions to make, and concerning worldly affairs these days, it's no wonder we often feel overwhelmed and anxious. As weeks, months, and years pass by, pressures build.
Yet, we carry on. We keep moving forward and taking on more and more. And if we aren't aware, we suffer as a result of neglecting our personal needs, mental well-being, and bigger life goals. We go on auto-pilot and assume it's just 'normal' this way of living. And life passes us by as we retreat into the comforts and confines of the status quo that were used to living.
That's the reason why a good life coach is important and necessary if you want to break the bind. We get so set in our ways and used to living 'our way' that it's hard to see things from a fresh perspective and make changes. It's difficult to digest and fathom the possibilities that exist out there in the world when we're so used to operating within what we've deemed 'safe' for so long.
A year ago, I started working with a life coach and by doing so, my life has completely changed. It took one person to help me see life from a different angle, to challenge my limited reality, and to believe in me and the passion and potential that laid dormant due to fear. There were two questions that stopped me in my tracks, got the wheels spinning in my brain, and pushed me into a new exciting direction. If that one person hadn't stepped into my life, I am doubtful I would have woken up on my own and really put myself to the test by pursuing my passions and dreams. I couldn't see out of my own bubble and didn't even know other possibilities could be a reality to my life due to my limiting self-beliefs.
So what is a life coach anyway? He or she is not just a mentor. They are not just a friend. It's not just a coach in the most basic sense. A life coach is a partner, someone who's there for you through life's most difficult and challenging times, able to guide you through and help you to see things differently, refine your approach and achieve your loftiest dreams. They are your cheerleader and top support celebrating you every step of the way through the ups and downs of life. It's that one person that listens deeply and believes in you in the most authentic way.
Most of us are so set in our ways, that unless we have an objective third-party actually point things out to us, we often fail to notice the things that are setting us back. It's a monumental undertaking to do this by yourself. With that being said, here are the 10 reasons why you absolutely must have a life coach if you're serious about succeeding at whatever it is that you are aiming for.
#1 - You have trouble following through on your goals.
For most people, achieving goals is hard. It's not just the art of goal setting that they find difficult, but actually following through. However, a life coach can not only help you identify and define your goals, but also they can help you find powerful enough reasons why you must achieve them.
#2 - Limiting beliefs have been holding you back.
Most of the time, we find it difficult to follow through with things in our lives because, in our subconscious minds, we have beliefs that are holding us back. A life coach is instrumental in helping you identify them so that you can push forward rather than staying stuck in the lies of the old beliefs. They can help you recognize those beliefs, replace them with new ones, and overcome those limiting beliefs so that you can move forward in your life.
#3 - You simply don't know where to begin.
Sometimes we just don’t know where to begin. We get sucked into the notion of success and know that we want to achieve something, but we feel so helpless that we just fail to start. Maybe it’s because we don’t feel like we deserve it or maybe it’s some other reason, but we just don’t know how or where to even begin.
The enormity of big goals can often overwhelm us. It’s hard to get clear on things when you can’t even get past that feeling of helplessness and not knowing where to start. Life coaches can assess your personal situation and help you get on the path towards taking action towards your dreams.
#4 - Anxiety and Stress are recurring themes
Life can get stressful. Plain and simple. I know that when I failed repeatedly in the past, I went through some of the most anxious and stressful times in my life. I was depressed beyond belief. Even though I learned a lot through failure, having those constant emotions become a recurring theme in your life isn’t fun whatsoever.
When you combine all of our responsibilities, from work to family and social lives, it’s easy to see why we get so stressed out. It’s not a good feeling, especially when it feels like the walls are caving in on you. Getting the perspective and outside help that life coaching affords is integral in helping you move past those disheartening emotions.
#5 — You’re Unable To Define A Clear Vision
Sometimes we feel like we’re living our lives according to someone else’s rules or wishes. We have goals, but they’re not what we really want. Because of that, we lack a clear vision. We’re so confused, being pushed and pulled in every direction, that we’re unable to create that clear vision for what we want out of life.
Life coaches can help you cut through all the noise and get clear on what you want. It isn’t the easiest thing to understand, especially when trying to see it from a perspective that we’ve been looking at it from for years or decades even. This is one of the best parts of having a coach on your side, giving you the extra
#6 — Your Finances, Health, Relationships, Career Or Business Is In Complete Disarray
If your life is in a state of complete disarray, you might be in drastic need of a coach that will help you get through some of the most difficult times. Whether it’s your finances, your health, your relationships, your career or your business, oftentimes it’s hard to focus and see the forest through the trees when we’re struggling to move through the fog of today’s complexities.
When your marriage fails, your health is shot, and your career, finances or your business is completely shattered, it’s hard to make it through those tough times. But a life coach will help you wade through the seas of sorrow to emerge on the shores of hope as your guide.
#7 — The Passion You Once Had For Life Is Gone
I once lost passion and purpose in my life. It happened after I had an earth-shattering failure. I didn’t even want to go on. I sincerely think that those were some of the worst times in my life and I never want to revisit that place mentally or emotionally. But there’s also some good to be said about it. In fact, I wouldn’t take them back even if I could.
But when you lose that passion or that spark for life or for business, you need someone there to help move you along. You need someone to help identify the issues that you’ve faced and the upshots in your past that have led you to where you are today. Without that, it’s hard to get that passion and the juice back for your life that you once had.
#8 — You Get Easily Sidetracked By Time-Wasters
It’s easy to get sidetracked in life. We have bad habits that are hard to quit and it’s difficult to manage our time to make progress. Often, we’re stuck spinning our wheels. I know I feel that way sometimes. But, those time-wasters can completely debilitate us from achieving anything in life.
Life coaches aren’t just there to help you achieve your goals, but they’re also there to help you improve your life on so many levels. This includes things like your habits. Considering that habits make up 45% of our behavior, good habits offer a pathway to both discipline and achievement.
#9 — Your Friends And Family Aren’t Supporting Your Dreams
It’s hard to stay focused on your goals when you don’t have the support of people around you. When your friends and your family members aren’t supporting your dreams, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. When we’re so busy dealing with negativity from all around us, how are we supposed to make progress and move forward?
However, your life coach is there for you no matter what. They act as your support system. Even if friends and family aren’t sticking by you, you have them. Although it’s not free, it is well worth it. The experience and knowledge of some life coaches are invaluable instruments in helping us achieve our goals.
#10 — You’re Completely Lost And Feel Like All Hope Is Gone
There was a time when I lost hope in life. It was so bad that I didn’t want to go on. I was lost, overwhelmed, and uncertain which direction to go. When you feel like that, you can’t even focus on getting through the day, let alone moving closer to your goals. If you feel lost or like all hope is gone, you absolutely need a life coach.
This becomes, not just an option, but a necessity. If you feel hopeless or like a failure or unable to accomplish anything, you need to do more than read a blog post or watch an empowering video. You need someone there by your side. You need a trainer to help you regain the confidence that you once had and push closer towards your dreams.
Life is short; so make it count. We all get a little stuck from time to time and having that support can make all the difference during the challenging times of life. There is no better investment than putting energy into your personal development and working towards your goals to achieve the success, inspiration, and fulfillment you are seeking!
If you're interested in becoming a Life Coach yourself, The International NLP Association has some options to consider.