How to overcome your fear of hiring a Coach

​Your problem: You ain’t happy!
You’re struggling. Some days are worse than others. You want a way out of the mess. You want to feel more capable of doing your job and more content in life. But, the big question is, how do you discover that?

The solution: You just don’t know, and it’s frustrating!
Perhaps one of the options you’ve considered is coaching. But, you really don’t get what coaching is; you don’t understand it, or you aren’t sure what it’s all about. So, you’ve hesitated to take the next step.

Let me try to clear the fog for you.

​What coaching is not: 
Coaching isn’t therapy or counselling. Both of those may be something that can benefit you as well, either on their own or in conjunction with coaching, but they are different. I am neither a counsellor nor a therapist, so I am providing you with a description of what they offer from the International Coaching Federation (ICF):

• Therapy deals with healing pain, dysfunction, and conflict within an individual or in relationships. The focus is often on resolving difficulties arising from the past that hamper an individual's emotional functioning in the present, improving overall psychological functioning, and dealing with the present in more emotionally healthy ways. 

 
What is coaching?
So what is coaching then? Coaching is a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires you to maximize your personal and professional potential. When I am coaching you, I am asking you a lot of questions. I get you thinking, and usually, in ways, you haven’t been thinking on your own!  You have probably been stuck in a rut, regurgitating the same thoughts over and over. OMG, I don’t know what to do! I can’t figure this out. I just want to enjoy my life!

Coaching is not advice. It's questions
Most often, the questions I ask are pointing you forward. As a coach, I use curiosity to help you explore things that you probably already know, but have avoided, overlooked, or afraid to take on. I might ask you What if you could figure it out, where would you start? I could ask you to describe what your life might look like after achieving joy, happiness, or contentment. That helps you get more precise about the actions you need to take because not everyone is looking for the same thing. Maybe you want to be home at least 3 nights each week to make supper, but someone else wants two vacations south each year. Another lady might focus on being able to deal with her workload or be better at growing a cohesive team. Coaching helps you see your challenges with a new perspective AND create a plan to navigate all the roadblocks between you and your future, step-by-step.


The benefits of hiring a coach
As a coach, I am helping you to reach your full potential both in at work and in your life. Part of that full potential might be that you become more productive or have better time management. You might develop better relationships with your employees or peers. Through coaching, you and your organization could achieve better results. You may find a better balance between work and life or achieve a higher state of health, which subsequently allows you more joy in life. 

Coaching will give you confidence
When you work with me, I’ll help you to feel more confident, and the result is you’ll get out of survival mode, which so many of us live in and you’ll move to thriving in both your leadership and life.

• That might mean you gain the confidence to set better work-life boundaries.
• You may increase your confidence allowing you to tackle difficult conversations and address ongoing issues with your employees or your boss.
• You may gain the courage to take on the new project, go back to school, apply for the new position or start your own business.

I work to awaken whatever has been dying to develop, grow or shine in you, that you’ve been too afraid to show the world. Coaching gives you the confidence to be you!
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Here is what your peers say about coaching?
​Don’t take my word for it. This is what some of the women I have coached, have said about their coaching experience and the difference it's made in their life:

​​Coaching helped me to see different perspectives and to move forward in a way that was both balanced and inspiring. Much of what we've explored together has 'stuck,' which I'm grateful for. Not only have I moved through a difficult time, but I've grown up for the better."  
Liz B

I'm so excited about my life again! Through coaching, I realized things I've always wanted but wasn't able to put into words before. I now have a solid plan. I get to watch each step moving forward now - sometimes big steps (whoa!) and sometimes small steps. Kathy’s coaching style combines great questioning with a 'you can do this' attitude, so you feel open and supported. 
Mimi V

Coaching helped me dig out of a deep, deep hole of victimization. Coaching helped me to discover and rediscover my values when I was honoring them and when a situation or I was pinching them. No matter how many times I took a step backward, Kathy was patient and helped me move forward.  She was always there cheering me on, helping me to recognize and honor my progress. 
Kitty O.

Coaching has been a very good experience for me.  Kathy is a naturally supportive and positive person and is a great ‘deep’ listener; she is intuitive and creative in responding to my energy—even across a phone line.  As a coach, she has helped me focus on my goals and challenged me on old beliefs and ‘stories’ that no longer serve.  I appreciate being held accountable.  I see changes in my life! 
Cheryl K

​How to hire a coach

You may be even more curious now about coaching and are thinking about trying coaching out. To look for a Coach, you can begin with a search on the Internet. There is a multitude of coaching sites available for you to consider. If you have a friend who is using a coach, you may ask that friend for a referral.

You might be concerned about finding a qualified coach, even if you don’t quite know what that means. The best place to ensure you are getting a certified Coach is to use the referral service that the ICF provides. There you will find a list of credentialed coaches to meet your needs.


What are you looking for in a coach?

Finding the right Coach is like finding a pair of shoes that fit really well. Looking pretty is nice, but it’s not going to help you if you are on your feet all day. Your Coach is going to help you get over some of the hills in front of you. You’ll want to find one that feels supportive, encouraging and who will push you a bit to achieve your full potential. Take the time to find the right coach. It will be worth it for both your career and your happiness.

3 Questions to ask a Potential Coach (and 3 more CRITICAL ones you should be asking)
As with anything else you are purchasing, you should do your homework before hiring a Coach. Be sure to ask the following three questions:

• What are your credentials? 
• Can you walk me through your coaching process?
• Do you have any references I can contact?

Your coaching relationship will be so valuable to you if you find the right fit. Hiring the right Coach is serious business,  I've outlined 3 additional questions that you probably wouldn't even think to ask a potential coach. These are the critical questions you want also to be asking to find the right Coach for you. You can get those 3 critical questions here.

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Hiring a Coach is serious business!
​Ask these 3 critical questions to make sure you get the right Coach for you!

3 Critical Questions to Ask a Potential Coach

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Are you ready to sample coaching?
To book a session with me, click here. I'm looking forward to supporting you to both be an impactful leader, and enjoy life! It is possible to do both!