Sometimes, we need a little help figuring out the next steps; whether that’s in our careers, relationships, or general things we encounter in life.
Enter: a life coach, the ultimate partner in decision-making offering guidance and tools you need to unlock your full potential and achieve your goals faster.
We caught up with Katie Stanley, a master-certified life coach, to gain a better understanding of this support tool and how to implement it. Here’s what she had to say:
Q: What can someone expect from life coaching, and how does the process work?
A: It’s about helping clients explore the struggles they’re facing in a variety of different aspects of their lives, whether that be in business, relationships, health goals, etc., and determining what factors may be contributing to those struggles both mentally + physically.
Then, together, we brainstorm ways to help them work towards their desired goals + outcomes.
Q: How is life coaching different from traditional therapy?
A: I am a firm believer that our past experiences, thought patterns, and beliefs heavily influence our current circumstances, so we definitely dive into those things as we work to understand them better and challenge them when appropriate.
However, it’s only as they pertain to the current and future goals the client is asking to address. The primary focus is always on the present circumstances and the future.
In contrast, therapy is focused on more deeply rooted issues and traumas from our past, and sometimes present, that still need to be addressed and processed more thoroughly with a licensed professional. Both are very important and helpful, but different in their focus and approach.
Q: Who benefits from life coaching?
A: Anyone who is unhappy with their current circumstances and is looking for ways to change them.
There are many times in our lives when we get stuck in our own thought patterns, and we can’t see a way out. Having someone help guide us into a different way of thinking and viewing the situation can help us break the walls down and let the light in so we can see all the paths in front of us more clearly.
Q: How do you measure success with your clients?
A: Each client determines their own mark of success for coaching. At the first session, we discuss what overall goals and changes the client would like to see happen in their life and what the mark of success would look like for those goals.
As we start digging into specific topics each session, we check back in as we go about the overall progress and how they are feeling about it. If the client isn’t feeling satisfied with the progress they are making, we dig back into what may be holding them back and how they might be able to overcome that. If they are satisfied, we move on to additional goals or conclude sessions. It looks different for everyone.
Q: How would you describe your style of life coaching?
A: I believe most of us have the desire and capacity to learn and grow; we just need some help getting there at times, so I strive to meet people where they are at and help guide them toward where they want to be. And to do that, I ask a lot of questions.
I also work from several core principles. The first is that our past experiences have gotten us to where we are today, but we don’t have to let them define us or our future.
The second is that we can only control ourselves. That can be a very scary concept at first, but in time, it can be very freeing and empowering as the fear is replaced with acceptance.
The third is that the thing is never the thing. Yes, the struggles are real and valid, but when you spend some time really digging into them, you often find that the root is elsewhere, and acknowledging that alone can change your outlook and perspective significantly.
Q: Do you give advice, or is it more about guiding me?
A: Coaches do not give advice, nor tell you what you need to do to reach your goals. That is a very common misconception.
Coaches provide the space and experience to help guide you toward finding your own solutions that work with your life and circumstances through thoughtful questions, exploration, tools, and exercises.
There are things about our lives that we cannot control, but more often than not, it’s our built-in thought patterns that are really holding us back from changing the things we can control to better our circumstances and reach our goals. It’s amazing what a shift in mindset and perspective can do for all of us.
Q: Why did you get into life coaching?
A: I believe that making people feel seen, heard, and understood makes such a profound difference, and I always wanted a space where I could help provide that.
I believe that empowering others to see how capable they already are and how much control they already have over their own lives and circumstances has the most long-lasting impact. Coaching gives me the opportunity to incorporate all of those things and more.
Interested in working with Katie? Connect with her and schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
