Do you suffer from the “if only’s”?

If only you had a better job, or a better partner, or a better place to live. The “if only’s” make us feel like we don’t control our lives. But there’s something you can do about it.

If you’re ready to take your life by the shoulders and wrangle it into submission, life coaching might be the push you need. Never heard of it? You’re in the right place!

In this article, we’ll discuss the undeniable benefits of life coaching. And how you can use it to revitalize your life.

How Does Life Coaching Work?

Coaching is like going to a therapy session. You and your coach have regular meetings to discuss your life. And, like therapists, life coaches vary depending on their personal style and level of expertise.

Unlike therapy, life coaching is more goal oriented. Your life coach is there to listen to your problems, but also to kick you in the butt if you need it. Therapists deal more with mental health issues, while life coaching is about making life changes.

Most life coaching programs start with an introductory session. This is where you and the coach discuss your current situation and establish goals.

If you don’t know what your goals are, that’s okay. The life coach’s job is to help you clarify what you want.

Then your coach helps you come up with a plan to implement these goals. Most of us are great at making goals. But we’re not very good at carrying them out.

After the plan is in place, you and your life coach will continue to meet regularly. Coaching meetings are usually once a week but may be more or less often, depending on your goals. Your coach guides you along the way while you implement your plans.

They often give you homework assignments to keep you motivated. And they provide a level of authority when you have questions or doubts. Your coach’s job is to see that you have all the resources necessary to achieve your goals.

What are the Benefits of Life Coaching?

Now that we’ve discussed the coaching process, let’s take a closer look at the specific benefits of life coaching.

Clarifies Goals & Plans

You may be saying to yourself, “But I can set my own goals. I don’t need to pay a coach to do that.”

It’s true that you can set your own goals. But sometimes, it’s hard to define those goals. A life coach can bring you some clarity and a fresh perspective to help you figure out what you really want.

Your coach makes sure that your goals are lofty enough to inspire real change. And they’ll help you break up your loftiest goals into smaller, more manageable chunks.

Another problem with setting your own goals is that you don’t often go far enough with them. Setting a goal doesn’t mean anything if you can’t implement a clear plan of action to reach that goal.

Life coaches know what works and what doesn’t with goal planning. Using their knowledge helps you choose the right path to make sure you achieve your goals.

Gets You Out of a Rut

When you’re shooting for a goal, hitting a rut can keep you stuck in neverland indefinitely. Sometimes we don’t even realize that we’re stuck in a rut because we can’t see the bigger picture. A life coach is there to take a wider view and give you feedback.

Another detriment to achieving goals is wallowing around in your comfort zone. Your life coach gives you homework that’s specifically designed to get you out of your comfort zone. These tasks help you branch out to new behaviors and healthier habits.

Your coach brings you an outside perspective to the table. They can see what’s blocking you from reaching your goals easier than you can. And sometimes all you need to get out of that rut is a gentle nudge from someone who isn’t in the rut themselves.

Provides You With a Devil’s Advocate

A devil’s advocate is there to look at the other side of every situation. We often get so focused on what we want, that we don’t think about how it affects others. Our personal bias blinds us from seeing our own errors.

A life coach shouldn’t hold you back. But they can examine your plans without personal bias. And they can suggest a more sensible way of doing things.

Provides You With Your Own Cheerleader

Not only does a life coach keep you focused on your goals, but they cheer you on along the way.

Many of us cower away from our goals because of fear. A good life coach can teach you to use fear to your advantage. You’ll gain a ton of confidence knowing that there’s someone in your corner who approves of your ideas.

Keeps You Accountable

Accountability partners are hard to find. Many of our close friends or family won’t stick with it when the going gets tough. That’s where a life coach can help.

Your coach will require you to report to them regularly about your progress. You won’t be able to cut corners or undermine your own success if you’re accountable to someone else.

Accountability also helps you focus. It’s too easy to get caught up in taking care of others. Hiring a life coach to help you reach personal goals forces you to spend time on self-improvement.

Change Your Life With Life Coaching

There are plenty of undeniable benefits of life coaching. With the right coach and some hard work, you can change your life for the better.

Remember, your life coach is like a therapist, but much more goal-oriented. They help you clarify your goals and make plans for how to achieve them. Then they continue to meet with you regularly to hold you accountable for reaching those goals.

A good life coach provides you with a devil’s advocate to help you see other perspectives. And they’re your biggest cheerleader when you’re taking the right steps. Plus, they’ve got the tools necessary to pull you out when you get stuck in a rut.

Are you ready to bring on the happiness in your life? Check out this guide to self-help techniques to achieve real happiness.