Become a Life Coach
What it takes ... and other important questions
A question we get asked regularly is:
"How do I become a life coach ... what does it take?"
On this page, we've done our best to provide answers to some of the key questions that underlie this one.
We've also produced a detailed report in the form of two information-packed ebooks that you can download and read in your own time. To request them please click here.
WHY SHOULD I BECOME A LIFE COACH?
Before we tackle the issue of how to become a life coach, you may still be wondering whether it is a career you'd like to pursue?
If you haven't yet read our page that deals with what life coaching is and what life coaches do, you can do so by clicking here.
Frankly, life coaching must rank as one of the most – if not the most – fulfilling careers for people who have a passion for working with people.
As a life coach responsible for helping your clients live their best lives, you will watch them grow and develop and achieve things they never thought possible.
This is what making a difference in the world is all about!
There are many other reasons too.
For one thing, when you train to become a life coach, you'll experience amazing personal development and growth in self awareness.
As a professional life coach, your work will never again be boring. Each client is unique, with his or her own view of the world, hopes, dreams and obstacles to growth.
And then there's the unrivalled flexibility of the career. You choose the hours you want to work, when you want to work, what types of people you want to have as your clients, and so on.
Very simply, this is one of the very best home based business opportunities.
DO I HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A LIFE COACH?
There are very few prerequisites to become a life coach.
However, there are a few very important attributes that you should possess if you want to be a success in this field.
You can self assess whether you are someone who :
- is a thoroughly honest person with unquestionable integrity;
- has a real passion for working with people;
- has an open, inquiring mind, ready to learn about what makes you and others 'tick'; and
- is generally able to be non judgmental of others;
- is happy to commit to your ongoing personal development?
In addition, you will ideally require thorough training and access to an effective coaching system and toolkit that will help you deliver the results your clients will expect from a professional life coach.
Here are a few things you do not necessarily need
- A degree or other academic qualification.
- To be in a specific age group (although we recommend you be over 23 years of age).
- To lead a perfect life (that doesn't exist anyway!)
WHAT FORM OF TRAINING DO I REQUIRE?
If you are serious about becoming a certified professional life coach, we recommend you get the very best training you can find.
Life experience alone is not sufficient to qualify you as a life coach. In fact, without proper training in the various life coaching tools, techniques and systems it can even work against you!
Life coaching is very much a word-of-mouth driven industry, so your ability to deliver great results for your clients is far and away the most important outcome you want from the training you will undertake.
The training you invest in should be:
- comprehensive (covering both theory and practical in depth);
- broad based (focusing on all aspects of life coaching, not just niche techniques);
- reputable (with a suitable structure and/or system that has proven to deliver results over an extended period);
- practical to apply (not too academic in nature); and
- supportive, right through your certification period and, preferably, beyond.
WILL I NEED TO GIVE UP MY EXISTING JOB TO DO THE TRAINING?
No. Not if you choose to train with New Insights.
Our life coach training and certification programme is specifically designed for people who are currently in employment or holding down important responsibilities, such as stay-at-home mothers.
With us, you can train in your own time and at your own pace.
We recommend that you start coaching for reward only when you feel completely ready and then do so in your part time until you have established your practice and feel ready to go full time with your new career.
That way you have the flexibility to control your destiny without taking unnecessary risks.
WILL I HAVE TO TRAVEL ANYWHERE FOR TRAINING?
No. At least not if you choose to train with New Insights.
The home study nature of our training is designed to work equally well for you, whether you live in London, the Outer Hebrides or Mallorca!
Although New Insights has companies registered in London and Cape Town, we do not run conventional training centres. You study, practice and even write the theory exam from your home or place of choice - even if you decide to emigrate during your training.
You don't need to travel to us or anywhere else - ever!
You have total flexibility and control over your training agenda. But we are always there to support you by phone, email or through our innovative online Forum and Journalling platform.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME A CERTIFIED LIFE COACH?
The quality of training on offer in the market varies widely so this a difficult question to answer!
Be very wary of short courses that claim to turn you into a practising life coach after just a few days, weeks or even months. Such claims are generally unrealistic and will likely result in disappointment.
The New Insights life coach certification training involves some 300 hours of study and practice in total, and offers very thorough preparation to become a life coach with everything you need to build a successful practice.
Our certification programme will probably take you somewhere between 9 and 18 months to complete if you can allocate roughly 4 to 8 hours a week to it.
WHAT SORT OF EMPLOYMENT CAN I LOOK FORWARD TO AS A LIFE COACH?
Generally speaking, life coaching is not a career for those who prefer being in the employ of others.
The great majority of life coaches start their own life coaching practices rather than look for employment.
And why not?
This is a wonderfully flexible career that can be operated from home if you wish.
When you become a life coach with your own practice you are in control and you decide your hours and the clients you prefer to work with.
Life coaching practices share very few of the challenges associated with other small business start ups. They require minimal capital outlay, are generally low cost to operate and carry little risk.
CAN I EARN A GOOD LIVING FROM LIFE COACHING?
Yes, of course!
Good life coaches are in great demand. After all, they help people to achieve their goals and dreams, so why wouldn't they be?
Fees vary dependent on experience, target market, client type and so on but most coaches charge in the range of £30 to £300 per session (UK currency) with a session generally taking anywhere between 60 and 90 minutes (either face-to-face or via telephone/Skype).
Don't forget that operating costs are very low and income can be supplemented significantly with motivational speaking and personal development workshops.
HOW WOULD I GO ABOUT FINDING CLIENTS?
Life coaching is very much a word-of-mouth business. If you prove that you can deliver great results for your clients, you'll never lack for referrals ... and that is a coach's lifeblood!
When you first become a life coach and are just starting out, finding new clients can be a little more challenging.
If you train with New Insights you'll be exposed to a number of practice clients, each one of which is likely to refer other friends and colleagues to you, thereby helping to build your pipeline of clients.
New Insights also offers another key advantage for life coaches who are just starting out. You receive substantial, proven support to plan your practice, promote your services and sustain a successful practice.
FREEDOM | CONFIDENCE | GROWTH
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