Tips for Selecting a Life Coach

Choosing a life coach is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Therefore, it is essential that you select the very best life coach possible. How do you know who is the best life coach for you? Basically, there are only two criteria: experience and compatibility. Your life coach should have experience working with others in your circumstance and he or she should have an excellent rapport with you.

The following tips may help you select the best life coach for your needs.

• The primary requirement is that you have an excellent rapport with your life coach. All the experience and expertise in the world will not matter if you and your life coach cannot or do not relate to each other. Do not work with a life coach who tries to pressure you into doing so.

• What type of personality does your life coach have? You will want a compassionate and understanding life coach, but you’ll also want one who is strong enough to keep you on track. Your life coach should be an excellent listener, be astute and inquisitive.

• Does the life coach have a good reputation? What do former clients have to say about him or her and what is his or her reputation within their field? A good life coach will have excellent standing with their peers and clients.

• In which area(s) do they specialize and what is their experience? Life coaches usually have one or a few areas in which they specialize. If a life coach lacks specialized expertise or states that they work with all areas, they may not have the experience and/or knowledge to adequately help you achieve your goals. Although every new life coach has to get experience, working with someone who is new to the field may mean you will not get the direction you need.

• How did they obtain their certification to be a life coach? As in any professional field, quality is more important than quantity. Certification from a recognized institute is preferable to several do-it-yourself online courses.

• What techniques and methodologies does he or she use? Selecting a life coach whose background, lifestyle and beliefs are similar to your own will optimize both your relationship and your success. Otherwise, you’ll spend extra time, and thereby incur extra expense, explaining where you are coming from and where you want to be.

• Where does your life coach live? If face-to-face meetings are important to you, then you need a life coach who is within a reasonable traveling distance. If not, clarify beforehand who will be paying the travel expenses. Alternatively, many life coaches conduct sessions over the telephone and this works well for some people. However, it is wise to have an initial face-to-face meeting with your life coach before committing to work with him or her. Initial consultations are usually free.

• What does your life coach cost and what can you afford? As with any professional consultation, sessions with a life coach are not cheap and if they are, you might want to continue looking. However, considering the reason(s) you are contemplating hiring a life coach, the cost should not be the primary consideration. The work you do with a life coach will have a lasting impact on your future and this is not an area in which to economize.

Your relationship with your life coach should be one of the best in your life. If it is not, then the outcome will not be the best. This is your life, make it the best you can and get the best life coach to help you achieve your goals.

Richard Hasson. Blogger, life coach and a good person in general. Always willing to help others. He often write about how to over-come depression, to get to know yourself, lose weight. His other passion is photography and taking long walks. Currently working for www.newyorkstatedivorce.com as an consultant.

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