What exactly is coaching?
There are so many different definitions of coaching, and so many different types of coach out there, I wanted to share with you my take on it all.
The Animas definition
I got my Diploma in Transformational Coaching with Animas at the end of 2022, and they define coaching as exploring “a client’s inner world of beliefs, assumptions, values and expectations in order to create greater possibilities for ways of being in life.”
What does that actually mean?
For me, coaching is all about having a safe space to talk through challenges and goals in a totally non-judgemental environment. Whether that challenge or goal is something super tangible (such as wanting to explore options for your next career move) or something that is a bit more ambiguous (for example, wanting to better understand your purpose).
The common thread with coaching is that it can help you to navigate change, whether that change is being driven by you or from an external factor, to help you get the outcome you want. Coaching is action-focussed, a way to break down your goals into more manageable and achievable steps, and a coach will act as an accountability partner and cheerleader for you as you put these into action.
Coaching is different from therapy in that it tends to focus on the present and future, although it can use learnings from your past to guide you. Instead, a coach is someone who will support you to notice and challenge your assumptions and limiting beliefs. What I mean by this is the ‘shoulds’ that we tell ourselves, or the little voice in the back of our heads that is telling us that we couldn’t possibly do that or achieve something. A coach will support you to unpick these and build a new, more empowering narrative to tell yourself.
Coaching is also different to pure mentoring, as coaches don’t tend to give advice. Instead, coaches believe that clients already hold their own answers to their challenges or goals.
I like to think of it as holding up a mirror so the client can see themselves in a different light or from a different angle, to help them move forward. The coach’s role is to act as a guide, asking questions to help unlock thinking and perhaps also reflect back to the client what they are noticing from the conversation.
Finally, coaching is not a quick fix; it is something that takes time as you work through your challenge or goal. But this investment is so worth it, as you get to know yourself better and are able to start making the changes in your life that you want to see.
Is coaching right for me?
Coaching is right for you if you want to make changes in your life, but are not sure how to navigate it alone. Coaches tend to specialise in specific areas, and for me that is supporting clients to figure out what it is they really want out of their life so that they can live authentically, in other words; they can lead a life that is aligned to their dreams and values. I can support you if:
You’re fed up of being on auto-pilot, living a life that you feel you ‘should’ be living
You feel you spend your life putting the needs and wants of others before your own
You feel like you’re playing a role rather than being true to yourself
You don’t know what it is that you want out of life and feel overwhelmed by all the possibilities
You’ve reached a crossroads in your life and/or career and need some help to figure out your next steps
You’re looking to get more out of life, and find a little bit more joy
You simply want to live a life that feels more ‘you’
As I mentioned before, there are lots of different types of coaches out there and it is really important to find the coach that is right for you. That’s why a lot of coaches will have an initial introductory call (also called a chemistry call) to make sure that there is a good connection before you commit to working together.
If this is something you’re interested in finding out more about then I’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch through the website or by emailing me on hello@emilydaviescoaching.com