Do I need a life coach?

When you watch Oprah Winfrey spilling some life-altering advice on her talk shows, would you imagine that she may have needed a life coach at some point? And yet she and several other famous personalities such as Michelle Obama, Serena Williams, Leonardo De Caprio have sought the help of life coaches in the past. C-suite executives, political leaders and sports people know the importance of dependable coaches for their success.

So how does one ascertain the need of a life coach?

Each person is born with a unique DNA and a special purpose.  Fulfilling that purpose and living a life of contentment takes work. You may think you are doing everything right and yet not get the results that you are expecting or seeking in life. This is because different people need different approaches based on their unique self.

Here are some tell-tale signs that will help you determine if and when you need a life coach:

1 You feel inadequate 

Are there any feelings of inadequacy hiding in your heart? Do you often feel like you are not good enough or suffer from impostor syndrome? Having battle scars or past wounds is natural but if those past experiences are preventing you from taking leaps in your life, you need to address them. It’s possible that you may have tried your hardest to process your old beliefs, yet those feelings keep coming back. A life coach may help you identify the counterproductive patterns or limiting beliefs that are holding you back. The coach will then formulate a strategy based on your unique self and strengths for overcoming such hurdles.

2 Fear is holding you back 

The difference between successful people and less successful people is often the former’s ability to channelise their inner fears. As is often said, courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it. Having fears is common but if those fears are holding you back, they need to go. A life coach will help you name your fears, provide tools to let go of the fears,  and suggest ways for you to use them to grow.

3 You feel stuck

Have you reached a stagnant stage where you don’t know where to go next? Do you feel unfulfilled in your relationships? Or do you feel like you have lost your sense of purpose? Everything is there, yet there is this nagging sense of emptiness inside. These are some signs that tell that you need the help of a life coach. You may need to get clarification on your goals establish a  larger purpose, or need a reconnection with your authentic self. A life coach may assist you in making an action plan, build accountability channels or suggest efficient tools and strategy for navigating through life.

4 You have self-destructive habits 

Often self-destructive habits take forms of procrastination, addictions of food or alcohol, social media or other distracting activities. This means you may be sabotaging your success without even knowing it. These are some clear indicators that you are in need of a life coach. You need a person who will speak his or her mind about your habits or self-destructive patterns. A good life coach offers empathy without judging you and helps strengthen some positive patterns in your life and let go of negative habits.

5 You are often indecisive 

Take a moment and go over some important decisions that you have postponed, kept on the back burner or you are avoiding facing. Do you feel that you have missed out on important achievements or success because of not being able to decide? This indecision is an indication of lack of conviction. You need the guidance of a life coach to help you bring more clarity behind your delayed actions or decisions. Life Coaching will provide structured formats for conscious decision making which will empower you and give you the requisite confidence to make quick decisions.

6 You have difficulty focussing 

You are in the habit of micromanaging or multi-tasking over a long period and now it’s a part of life. Now you find it hard to focus on one ambition or goal or a daily activity. You feel overwhelmed by the things you want to attempt. The problem may be about setting a clear vision or execution of the set goals. Life coaches are trained in both, and can support the approaches with action-oriented strategies and frameworks.

7 You have undergone a major transition 

Transitions can be personal such as becoming parents, moving to a new country, facing a divorce or getting married. They may be professional such as changing jobs or shifting to a more responsible position. Other times, transitions are purely circumstantial such as a spouse’s job transfer or a mid-career educational opportunity or a sudden onset of illness of someone near and dear. These transitions are bound to overwhelm you. While it doesn’t necessarily mean you need a life coach, it can definitely mean that help can be sought. Your coach will help you face new emotions or feelings as a result of the transition, or help you battle with the fear of the unknown.

If any of the above reasons resonates with you, it’s best to seek professional help. When you want to change something about your life, you must be prepared to get uncomfortable for some time. For many people, this discomfort is about seeking someone else’s help. The benefits of life coaching far outweigh any investments in time, energy or money. It is a gift that keeps giving. Having a life coach, is like having a permanent and unbiased, support system, whose only focus is to empower and enliven you.