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Click on a question to view the answer. |
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Essentially because every one of us is capable of so, so much, regardless of what we believe now. Coaches are trained to be aware of this, to have an expanded and positive view of every client and to build upon and refine each individual's existing skills and talents. Clients are encouraged and supported to work through obstacles and push beyond doubts into areas of real growth and learning.
The client essentially knows (or soon discovers) what he or she really wants, then with the coach's help, plans viable steps to achieve that. Clients and coaches both really want coaching to work so it produces a brilliant win-win collaboration where the client's desire to succeed and their motivation are carefully nurtured, step by step under the coach's watchful eye, translating goals into reality. The coach skillfully accelerates and guides the whole process providing specific development tools as needed.
The coaching relationship significantly adds to the feelings of enthusiasm and motivation to succeed. Coaching is intimate and personal and there is something very genuine, almost sacred about taking our commitments, our aims seriously when we profess them to another - like making a pact to achieve a common goal. |
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Who hires a professional Life Coach? |
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face challenges and are not sure what direction to take |
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want to establish some balance in their life and simplify things |
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currently spend a lot of time on things which are not important to them |
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have a pressing issue to resolve but don't know where to start |
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want to understand and live by their deeper values |
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are in a rut or needs a fresh perspective on life |
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feel unproductive or unsuccessful and want greater results or satisfaction in life |
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want to get clear on where they are going and why, and plan how to get there |
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want to organise, manage or take control of their time in a better way |
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are ready to put themselves first and create a really fulfilling life |
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need to find more energy, time or money to do what they want |
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want to build self-confidence or improve their self-image |
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are in transition between careers, relationships, roles or lifestyles |
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need a clear but sympathetic mirror - to take a closer look at themselves |
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want to grab life with both hands and overcome self-sabotaging patterns |
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are taking on a challenging project or want to set new goals |
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want to discover their unique gifts and use them more fully |
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and for many more reasons too. |
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Shouldn't I be able to get it together by myself? |
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Why do people use Coaches? Isn't it just a crutch? |
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Am I a failure if I need help? |
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Firstly it is not a matter of anyone needing a coach. More and more people want and choose to employ a coach to increase their fulfilment or achievement in life. Lots of these people are already quite successful. They simply decide to make an investment in themselves.
Secondly, isn't it curious how easily we will accept guidance or expertise in almost every imaginable field - from car mechanics to interior design; from perfecting your golf swing to financial management - yet there is a mental and social obstacle in relation to life and personal development. This is really the arena where the greatest investment could be made; where the stakes are highest, potentially affecting every aspect of our lives and positively impacting those around us. Why would we possibly think to deny ourselves effective help here? |
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Is Life Coaching suitable for everyone? |
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No, definitely not! Coaching can certainly produce great results, but it is important to understand that not everyone is ready for or open to coaching. You have to be committed to your own success, want to improve your life and be prepared to put in the effort.
You must also be willing to look at yourself, to accept responsibility for and change any behaviours which do not produce positive impacts in your life. And you have to give it time; not only for the actual sessions, but between calls, for following through on actions that will support the changes you seek. We are happy to discuss your situation if you are in doubt. |
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Can't I get the same results from talking to family or friends? |
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Even the best family and friends cannot be as impartial as a coach because the coach is not entangled in any personal history with you, so their perception is unclouded. They desire nothing other than your success and have no vested interest in you being this way or that. Coaching is non-judgmental and your agenda is what counts. Even well-meaning family members and friends are unlikely to offer that kind of attentive support or be specifically trained to listen, question and encourage in the way a professional coach is. |
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Perhaps as long as societies have existed, wise tribal elders have 'coached' those around them. In the modern era, outstanding managers and colleagues do the same. So in fact, some form of coaching has always existed. It's just that until relatively recently, there hasn't been a formally recognised body of professionals, specifically trained in proven techniques. |
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Coaching is growing rapidly in popularity. Why? |
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There are many reasons for this. Here are just a few:
Coaching works. It is as simple as that. It is effective at improving people's experience and quality of life. Word of this (not surprisingly) has spread.
People are recognising that they can accomplish so much more with the right kind of assistance. A coach has a large tool kit to help you manifest what you really want in your life, to develop the clarity, courage and specific achievable steps to see your dreams coming more and more into focus, being fulfilled.
Many of us were raised to believe that hard work, sacrifice and 'going it alone' are the keys to prosperity and happiness. The reality is that these things often drain us physically and emotionally. Our solo efforts frequently result in poor health, increased stress, strained relationships or sub-standard work performance. Old concepts and taboos are dissolving. In the business world, where financial pressures demand techniques that really produce results, coaching has become a standard. What works for business can work for individuals too.
We now know that although hard work is important to get what we want, working with a companion like a coach can get us there more quickly and easily. And we do not have to sacrifice what is most meaningful to us in the process, such as our time, health, relaxation, values and relationships.
Many people are tired of what they are doing, of the rat race. They want to rejoin the human race and do something special or meaningful to them for the rest of their lives. The problem is not everyone can readily see or find it for themselves, or if they can, they can't see a way to reorient their life to change. They may not be sure what their values are or they have no clear sense of purpose. Coaching is very effective in helping with all of this. |
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Does a Coach tell you what to do and give advice? |
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"You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him to find it within himself." That was the conclusion reached by Galileo. A professional life coach does not teach. Coaching is a winning alliance based on the client's agenda. The coach's skill is in helping design and develop a clear road to the success which you seek. Coaching is not about what the coach delivers. It is about the development, learning and focused actions of the client, generated from a supportive coaching relationship. |
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What does a Coach actually do? |
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Coaching is really about you, the client and the coaching relationship, more than about the coach and what they do. Still, the coach does contribute a great deal. Such as: listen to you, in a non-judgemental way; help you select and devise strategies, methods and techniques that will work most effectively for you and which are appropriate to your situation to achieve your goals; give you useful and honest feedback and support you in pursuing your agenda; continually help refocus things towards the outcome you desire.
The skilful use of questioning is always a key element in coaching. To get to the heart of what you want and identify where efforts and changes can have the most impact, a coach might ask you: |
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What isn't working for you in your life right now? |
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What do you want more, or less, of in your life? |
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Where do you want to be in five years? |
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What gets in the way of you getting the results you want? |
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What does your ideal life look like? |
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What are your unique strengths and talents? |
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What do you really want? |
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What are you putting up with? |
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What one thing would make the biggest difference in your life right now? |
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In this way, step by step, finding your own answers, gaining in confidence, with a strong and trusted ally and your growing commitment, remarkable progress can be made. |
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What issues can Coaching be helpful for? |
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A broad range of issues can be addressed very successfully by coaching. Some of these include:
Personal Issues
Manage or reduce stress; eat well or sleep better; stick to an exercise programme; stop procrastinating; get more organized or learn time-management; be more responsible; start a special project; begin meditating; develop a life plan; take better care of yourself; improve self-esteem; deal with grief or loss of loved one; break a bad habit (or even several); enjoy life more; deal with a troubling issue; work toward a specific goal; be more mature
Relationships
Socialize more easefully; improve your self-image; end a bad relationship; plan a wedding; improve your current relationship; be a better parent; get closer to your family; meet your own needs within a relationship; define your ideal relationship
Career
Define and seek your ideal job; stop being a workaholic; start your own business; make more money; deal with harassment; find a new career or profession; find a new job; reduce job stress; get a raise or promotion; develop self-confidence; increase sales; identify your purpose; get a better job; improve study habits & grades; be better at taking tests; choose a university degree course; deal with peer pressure
Finances
Reduce debts; stop overspending; begin saving; face a money problem; set up and follow a budget; plan for retirement; save for tuition fees; buy a house; manage your investments; go through bankruptcy; earn more money
Spiritual search
Discover and live by your deepest values; connect strongly to your inner wisdom; explore yourself, your inner nature and your attitudes; have a clear, coherent sense of purpose in life and identify the steps that can lead to its fulfilment; explore your religious or spiritual beliefs. |
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Is Coaching like therapy? |
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Only in as much as both are confidential and professional services for the individual. Therapists are experts in medical and behavioural sciences, trained to treat diagnosable conditions. They work, often very skilfully, with clients in need of healing and issue resolution. By contrast, life coaches work with clients who want to evolve and enhance their lives, to achieve specific goals. Life coaches develop their clients' strengths and work with them in areas which need development. Therapy seeks to heal the past. Coaching designs clear steps in the present to move clients into their desired future. Therapists are required to keep their personal feelings and thoughts removed. Life coaches may carefully use personal disclosure as a tool to catalyze, challenge or inspire their clients. |
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Why choose LifeStar Coaching? |
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We are passionate about the work we do and we work hard to achieve the best possible outcome for you, increasing your resourcefulness, self-reliance and confidence in the process. Working with people at every level from homemakers to top managers of organizations, the breadth and depth of skills and background which we bring to our practice, with decades of international and multi-cultural experience is quite unique. |
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How long does Coaching take? How many sessions will I need? |
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Deep, lasting change usually takes time, so the answer to this question depends on what your own goals are. There is a range of possibilities. Most coaching relationships start with a three-month commitment, though this is not a requirement. Agreements for six months or longer are also quite common. There are significant price reductions available with LifeStar Coaching for these longer packages.
Sessions are arranged in a way that is compact, efficient, convenient and frequent enough to ensure momentum is maintained. Most clients opt for three or four sessions a month although a single coaching session can be effective for some specific issues.
After clients reach their first goals, they often identify other areas they want to work on. The coaching relationship continues just as long as there is real benefit to the client. |
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What are the initial steps in the Life Coaching process? |
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In a free introductory session you meet your prospective coach. If you decide to proceed, we will send you a Welcome Packet with helpful information and some preparatory forms to complete before your first scheduled session. |
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Regular telephone session times are agreed, typically three or four times each month. You can contact your coach by email if you get stuck, need support or want to celebrate a success (and there will be lots of these!) Your coach may also contact you between sessions (though only in agreed ways) to see how you are getting on or to offer valuable support and encouragement. |
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You then embark on an exciting journey with your life coach which can include identifying things that you want to change, eliminate, or fix in your life; goals and objectives that you want to develop a strategy for; or habits that you want to break. |
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You identify the focus for each session including specific challenges and opportunities, though your coach will always help you if you are not sure how to approach this. |
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You work to set clear achievable goals that will help you move towards the changes you want to establish in your life. There may also be agreed actions, contemplations or explorations to conduct and complete before the next session and a review of your progress to help you stay on track and be accountable to yourself. |
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From this point on, you begin to make things happen with the coach there to support, guide and encourage you. |
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Does Coaching over the telephone really work? |
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Absolutely, yes! It is by far the most common and popular form of life coaching, world-wide because it works. Most clients find it far more effective and efficient than face-to-face sessions. It is convenient, you do not have to travel and you can even continue your coaching when away from home. Many clients find they can express themselves more freely over the phone and stay more focused on their agenda. Our coaches are also specifically trained in coaching techniques that are proven to be highly effective in this medium. |
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How much does Coaching cost? |
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What each client wants and needs varies considerably. The costs of coaching therefore vary widely and also depend on the length of commitment, frequency of sessions and other agreed support structures, as well as the specializations and experience of the coach.
Coaching rates in the UK currently range from £50 up to £500 or more, per session. On this scale, LifeStar Coaching's fees are very moderate and competitive - not the cheapest, but nowhere near the most costly. We offer significant discounts on pre-paid packages of 3 months or more.
When you weigh this issue of cost, as you must, one of the most significant factors is whether you have a clear sense of the potential value of coaching to you. People can judge cost much better when they understand and appreciate the value of a service, so you may want to consider how much successful life-changes or real improvements could be worth to you and compare it to how much you regularly spend on things which may have little positive impact on your life.
At LifeStar Coaching we are clear about the value of what we do: we deliver high-quality, effective coaching which has an enduring impact on people's lives. You are welcome to call us for a free introductory consultation. There is no obligation and it will cover the subject of costs fully and specific to your circumstances. Few people decline coaching because of cost. |
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Business Coaching anchors the coaching work in clear business objectives. Accountability is with the client and his or her internal company advocate so the coaching is directed in ways that impact the business bottom line. The focus does not solely revolve around the client's own agenda as it does in life coaching, though improvements in personal areas frequently can and do significantly impact business results. And, with the line between personal and business life blurring, the coach is the only professional trained to work with all aspects of you.
Another key difference is in the reporting structure. In life coaching it is all between the coach and the client, with exclusive confidentiality assured whereas in business coaching the contract typically involves the coach, the person being coached and that person's manager. An alliance is created that is transparent and clearly understood yet still driven by the client so that we can build confidentiality and accountability.
Executive Coaching is business-based coaching, again with clear business objectives but the reporting channel is solely between executive client and coach. No one else in the client organisation (or elsewhere) is directly involved, beyond setting up and funding of the initial contract. |
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Who Is Business Coaching for? |
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Business coaching can help: Owners or Managers of small businesses; Entrepreneurs; Start-up companies (actual or planned); Professionals in private practice; People who run a business from home; Executives thinking of leaving companies to launch a business; Executives who want to stay and improve where they are; Professionals and consultants, managers and executives in all sectors, from HR, marketing and finance to communications, IT and strategic areas; Anyone who wants to refresh, rejuvenate and inspire themselves deeply by focusing on and addressing their own self-awareness, personal and professional issues or problems. We all face similar, basic issues. |
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If there is anything at all you want to ask or discuss, please email us at enquiry@lifestarcoaching.co.uk We will do our best to address your concerns honestly and openly. We appreciate hearing questions that could otherwise go unanswered and may even add them to this page! |
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