Is Life Coaching the Right Career for You?

2. Do people come to you for advice often?

Life coaches have some kind of expertise to share or have life experience other people want to replicate. You may have completed a journey of a drastic weight loss or other personal transformation. There are millions of people struggling with the same challenge and they always need role models who can save them time and effort by already knowing a winning approach. Another instance will be having great understanding how career development works and using behavioral tools to help either youngsters choose the right path that aligns with their passions, or guiding adults who want to switch their career road map. So, what’s your specific niche and knowledge you will be coaching others about?

3. Are you a born leader?

A life coach is not a counselor, but is a leader. Knowing how to develop a trusting bond with clients so they will open up and be more receptive of your mentorship is imperative. Not only should you consider it an honor, but it’s a responsibility. Using behavioral tools, such as PeopleKeys’ DISC personality system and Behavioral Attitudes Index (BAI) assessment, will give you a bigger picture of your client’s internal motivators, passions and preferences so you can know how to connect with them on a deeper level.

4. Are you comfortable driving people forward even when they resist?

A life coach’s job is not to be someone’s friend, but it is your job to make sure your clients move forward from where they are now to where they want to be. You are an accountability partner, a confidant and building trust through honesty is what you do best. Your clients come to you because they need someone they can connect with like a friend, but are willing to accept you aren’t going to be an enabler that goes along with whatever reason they come up with to stray from the course. Some clients may make excuses or show resistance to change. You have to know how to cut through the crap, so to speak, and be direct when necessary. Your job and reputation depend on it, and it’s a great gift to be a part of your client’s success.

If you said "Yes" to the above questions, consider becoming a Certified Behavioral Life Coach! If you are a people-person and love to influence and guide others to be better versions of themselves, then becoming a life coach might be a great career option for you.

Read more about What does a Life Coach Do?