Hey, there! Here at The Better Normal, we love providing new tips and tools to help support your mental and emotional health. We know there are many ways to contribute to your well-being, and one method that has gained popularity in recent years is coaching.
But what exactly is coaching? How does it work? What are its benefits? And how can you know if coaching is right for you? In this blog, we’ll answer all of these questions! Let’s do this!
What is Coaching?
First things first: What exactly is coaching, and what does a coach do? It is a process in which a coach helps a client set specific goals and take steps to achieve them. At The Better Normal, we are passionate about exploring alternative therapies and the many ways we can improve our well-being, which is why we’ve gathered information from different sources, including this definition:
Coaching as a practice is relatively new and consists of practitioners from a wide variety of fields, including business consulting, human relations, organizational development, sports, education, philosophy, and psychology. Given the varied backgrounds and perspectives coaches bring, it’s not surprising that there is no single consensus on definitions, methods, and techniques.
As Sir John Whitmore, author of Coaching for Performance, puts it: “Coaching is unlocking a person’s potential to maximize their own performance. It is helping them learn rather than teaching them.”
According to the International Coaching Community, the essence of this practice is:
- Helping someone change in the way they wish and go in the direction they want.
- Supporting a person at every level in becoming who they want to be.
- Building awareness, empowering choice, and leading to change.
We found this post from The Coaching Academy which may be helpful:
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How Does it Work?
If you’re interested in learning more about coaching, it’s important to know that it typically involves one-on-one sessions (though group sessions are also an option). These sessions can take place in person or virtually. During coaching sessions, a dialogue takes place between the coach and the client to help the client find a clear path to achieving their goals. The goals are outlined, and specific actions are planned to accomplish them.
The most important aspect of coaching is that the client feels comfortable and is open to change. Often, when we seek out a coach, it’s because we’re looking for someone to help pave the way toward our personal well-being. It’s normal to have doubts or uncertainties when taking this step, but the fact that you’re looking to improve your life is a great start.
There are many types of coaching, including:
- Life coaching
- Wellness coaching (we interviewed Laura Heflin, a wellness coach, for our Empowered Women Empower Women series)
- Exercise coaching
- Health coaching
- Business coaching
- Career coaching
What Are Its Benefits?
Now, how can we know if coaching is truly effective? Does it bring real benefits? How do we measure those benefits? The good news about coaching is that it’s focused on specific goals, so the results are easy to track.
According to the Institute of Coaching, coaching has personal benefits that differ from the benefits a company might experience from organizational coaching.
The Personal Benefits of Coaching
Coaching can provide a wide range of personal benefits, and many clients report positive impacts on both their careers and lives. Some of these benefits include:
- Establishing and taking action toward achieving personal goals
- Becoming more self-reliant
- Gaining greater job and life satisfaction
- Contributing more effectively to teams and organizations
- Taking greater responsibility for actions and commitments
- Working more easily and productively with others
- Improving communication skills
The Benefits of Coaching in Organizations
Coaching in organizations has shown to:
- Empower individuals and encourage them to take responsibility
- Increase employee engagement
- Improve individual performance
- Help identify and develop high-potential employees
- Highlight organizational and individual strengths and growth opportunities
- Motivate and empower individuals to excel
- Demonstrate organizational commitment to human resource development
When to Consider Coaching
There are certain situations where it may be particularly helpful to begin a personal coaching process. For example, career transitions, significant personal changes, personal growth, or the development of new habits or projects.
Here are some key reasons to consider coaching, according to experts Ann Betz and William Arruda:
- Many tools and techniques of professional coaching are scientifically proven to reduce stress.
- It helps people process what’s going on in their lives.
- It helps individuals discover their own resilience, even in difficult times when external circumstances can’t be changed.
- A small investment in coaching during a crisis will pay off in the long term.
- Coaching for managers and leaders creates a ripple effect, leading to lasting change.
- It’s more critical than ever to retain and develop top talent.
- Coaches help people break free from fixed mindsets and move past being stuck.
- Many people are reconsidering their purpose in life, and coaching can help them navigate this process.
- People are making major life and work changes, and a coach can guide them through this transformation.
Is Coaching Right for You?
A few months ago, I spoke with someone who felt stuck in life. In their 40s, they had recently separated from their partner after 10 years together. Although they were already in therapy, they needed someone to help them with specific aspects of their life. That’s when they decided to start a coaching process. It wasn’t many sessions, but it was enough to start making real changes that helped them feel better.
At The Better Normal, we support all processes that help us improve—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. That’s why we work hard to provide tools and resources to help you find the path to your “better self.”
That being said, if you feel like you need to clarify your personal goals and work on your development, coaching might be exactly what you’re looking for. Or, if you feel lost, or have goals but don’t know where to start, consider coaching. Remember, a coach isn’t there to simply make you feel better, but to help you unlock your full potential.
In closing, we wish you the best of luck on your journey! Congratulations on taking the step toward your well-being and for being brave enough to make this change. You are not alone—The Better Normal is here to support you.
