If you're like most people, you have goals you want to accomplish or changes you've considered making at some point. It could be losing those stubborn 10 pounds or starting a new career path. Maybe you've taken the first steps, or perhaps you're unsure of where to begin. You may have thought you'll get started "someday when (fill in the blank)," but that day hasn't come yet.

Despite your best intentions, your goals and dreams may remain on the back burner for various reasons. Life's competing priorities can interfere with your focus, and you may lose motivation or get bored at some point, especially when contemplating significant changes or starting on a new path. If you find yourself in any of these scenarios, it may be time to consider hiring a personal coach.

So, What Does a Coach Do?

It's important to note that coaching is not therapy or counseling, nor is it consulting or advising. While these approaches may share some similarities, they have distinct skill sets and differences. Coaching is a process designed to create an alliance between the coach and the client, based on the client's interests, goals, and objectives. The coach and client work together to focus on the client's goals and develop a structure to move the client forward.

Clients often turn to coaching because they've experienced difficulty achieving an important goal on their own or wish to attain greater fulfillment in some area of their life. There are many reasons why a person may hire a coach. They may want to be more effective in their career or start a new one. They may wish to lose weight, improve their health and fitness, their relationships, or gain more control over their time and level of stress. Some coaches specialize in working with women or men who want to start a business for the first time, write a book, become more effective parents, or plan for retirement.

How Coaching Works 

The International Coach Federation (ICF), which sets the standard for professional coaches, defines coaching as: 

“… partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. A professional coach uses various techniques to help clients identify personal, business, and/or relationship goals, and develop action plans for their attainment.”

The client takes action, and the coach provides positive support and feedback to help the client improve their personal effectiveness and ultimately achieve their aim. This assistance can take many forms, including:

• Assisting the client in defining and clarifying their goals and vision.
• Helping the client identify their readiness to change and the supports and structures they may need to have in place.
• Targeting the client's strengths and values to help them use the resources they already possess towards achieving their aim.
• Assisting the client in identifying the larger goal and developing an action plan for the interim steps on a regular basis.
• Holding the client accountable for their agreed-upon actions.
• Identifying possible challenges or roadblocks along the way and developing strategies to deal with them
• Providing the client with possible resources and tools to accomplish their objectives.
• Supporting the client in devising ways to maintain the desired change or goal once it is reached.

The Future Of Wellness Coaching

Wellness coaching has become an increasingly important role in the world of health and wellness. As we live longer than ever before, we want to enjoy optimal health and thrive in our later years. It's now recognized that true wellness is so much more than just an absence of disease. Health and wellness coaching can help you proactively manage your health, learn about the impact of a holistic lifestyle on chronic illnesses and conditions, and design a healthier, more fulfilling life.

A coach can be a powerful ally in helping you move towards a life that's more in line with your dreams and goals. Don't let competing priorities or a lack of motivation hold you back any longer! With the support of a coach, you can achieve the changes you've always wanted to make and live the life you've always dreamed of.