“If you are unsure about what you want to do next, a life coach can help you get clarity.”
— Donna Drury-Heine, owner, LifeQuest Executive Coaching & Seminars
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| Whether you want to cut your stress in half, subtract a few inches from your waist or improve a challenging relationship, you may want to try a new path to success with a life coach. Life coach programs pair you with an experienced, trained professional to help you create a personalized plan and achieve your goals. If you’re thinking about enlisting a coach of your own, here are some things to consider.
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Have the time of your life.
As you enter the second, wiser half of your life, a life coach can help you take stock and set clear direction. Your greatest achievements, most nurturing relationships or healthiest body image may still be ahead of you. “Anytime you have a goal and you want to accelerate reaching it, a life coach can help,” says Donna Drury-Heine, owner and founder of LifeQuest Executive Coaching & Seminars. “Or, if you are unsure about what you want to do next, a life coach can help you get clarity.”
Do your homework.
The credentials and professional backgrounds of life coaches can run the gamut. “Coaches are rapidly specializing,” says Drury-Heine. “Find someone who specializes in your goal area.” Most coaches will provide a complimentary 30-minute session in person or over the phone for you to check compatibility. Keep in mind, your life coach works for you. He or she should be someone with whom you are comfortable.
Budget wisely.
Typically, services are sold in bundles of hours per month. For example, you can expect to pay anywhere from $250 to $2,000 for three hours a month depending on the type of coach and experience level. “Expect flexibility and customization from your coach,” says Drury-Heine. “Many clients appreciate face-to-face, personalized consulting. So, I typically meet with clients for two hours in person monthly. I provide the rest of their typical four hours total of monthly consulting over the phone and through e-mails.”
Make time for you.
Coaches provide nonjudgmental, unconditional support and accountability for the commitments you make. “Coaching enables you to reach your goals faster,” says Drury-Heine. When you connect with your ideal coach, you can expect to achieve your goals within four to six months. A more accurate schedule depends on you and your goals or needs. Many people will continue the coaching process as a reminder or to achieve new coaching goals as the original ones are accomplished.
Discover additional sources.
Many great books and workbooks are available to help you get the most out of this phase of life. You may want to try Jane Glenn Haas’s collection of essays, “Time of Your Life: Why Almost Everything Gets Better After Fifty” (Seven Locks Press, 2000) or “Coach Yourself to Success: 101 Tips From a Personal Coach for Reaching Your Goals at Work and in Life,” by Talane Miedaner (McGraw-Hill, 2000). These authors cover a variety of topics on living a rewarding and productive life.
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