FAQs : Coaching
coaching faqs | ceremony faqs

For answers, click on the questions below.
~ What is life coaching?
~ What does a coach do that’s different
~ from what my family and friends already do?
~ I’m not unhappy with my life. Why would I
~ need a coach?
~ I don't really have any specific goals, but I feel
~ vaguely dissatisfied and kind of stuck. Can life
~ coaching still help me?
~ Doesn’t everyone need a life coach?
~ Do I need to find a coach who lives near me?
~ What’s the next step?
~ What’s the catch?
~ What will we do in the free session?
~ What does it cost?
~ How will I know when I’m done?
~ How do I contact you?


Q What is life coaching?
A Coaching is a relatively new and evolving field.
A As a consequence, there are many definitions.
A Here are a few from some well-respected sources:

A "An ongoing professional relationship that helps people
A produce extraordinary results in their lives, careers,
A businesses or organizations. Through the process of
A coaching, clients deepen their learning, improve their
A performance, and enhance their quality of life."
A (The International Coach Federation)

A "Coaching is a professional relationship that enhances
A the client's ability to get clear, to focus on learning,
A making changes, achieving desired objectives an
A experiencing fulfillment."
A (The Association of Personal and Professional Coaches)

A "Coaching is a collaborative process that amplifies and
A accelerates self-discovery, promotes clarity, creativity and
A choice, and helps people achieve--and often exceed--their
A goals more quickly and more efficiently than they would
A without the partnership of a coach."
A (The Academy for Coach Training)
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Q What does a coach do that’s different from what my
Q family and friends already do?
A A coach has one agenda: helping you get more of what
A you want. Our conversations are completely confidential.
A I do not judge or criticize. I clarify, affirm, offer different
A perspectives, hold you accountable (something that is
A hard for loved ones to do without inspiring guilt or anger)
A and empower you to live your best life.

A By contrast, it can be difficult to explore our dreams with
A the people who know us. Family and friends are invested
A in their dreams and desires for you. They see you through
A the filters of their history with you. (This is why some
A people will never let you live down the time you toppled
A the display of dog food at the grocery store, or the truly
A atrocious fashion choices you made when you were
A thirteen.)
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Q I’m not unhappy with my life. Why would I need
Q a coach?
A Life coaching is designed to assist people to create even
A more wonderful lives. That’s why I use the phrase
A “making a good life better.” A life coach can help you
A tweak things, tune them up, or start dreaming much
A bigger. My personal mantra is “It can get even better
A than this!” Life coaching can make that true for you.
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Q I don't really have any specific goals, but I feel
Q vaguely dissatisfied and kind of stuck. Can life
Q coaching still help me?
A Yes! Most people aren’t clear about their goals beyond
A a very general “I want to be happy.” Life coaching can
A help you define what “happy” means to you. Then we
A will work together to go after what you really want.
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Q Doesn’t everyone need a life coach?
A No one needs a life coach. It’s just more effective
A and a lot more fun.

A Just as hiring a fitness trainer increases the likelihood
A that you will actually go to the gym and work out, you are
A more likely to move toward your life goals when you have
A a partner. A coach holds the big picture, helps you to
A become aware of your blind spots, encourages your
A excellence, and draws out your brilliance.

A Come to life coaching not because you need to or because
A you think you should. Come to life coaching because you
A want to. Your “wants” are the focus of our work together!
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Q Do I need to find a coach who lives near me?
A No. I work very effectively by phone with clients all over
A the country. Think of it – no travel time, no daycare to
A arrange, you don’t even have to get out of your pajamas!
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Q What’s the next step?
A Experience a complimentary, try-it-out coaching session.

A Coaching is a very personal partnership which, like all
A relationships, involves a certain amount of chemistry.
A The free session allows each of us to check out the
A chemistry with no obligations or guilt. We will also assess
A how well my background and expertise match your needs
A and desires, and how ready you are to make changes.
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Q What’s the catch?
A Well, you’ll have to start coaching! You’ll have to start
A identifying what is important to you. Maybe even take
A some steps towards your objectives.
A [ back to top ]

Q What will we do in the free session?
A We will start the process of getting to know each other
A and defining what you might like to work on in coaching.
A We can explore your goals and plans, talk about things
A that are weighing on you, trouble shoot and strategize
A about a particular issue, or you can express any fears or
A concerns you have about your life or about coaching.

A In this session (as in all sessions), I will follow your lead
A and encourage you to take action. Talk is great. Insights
A are useful. Action is what will make your dreams come
A true.
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Q What does it cost?
A The range for personal coaching is from $160 to $300 per
A month. Business coaching is negotiated based on scope.
A Please visit fees for more information.
A [back to top]

Q How will I know when I’m done?
A Often, clients just “know” when they are ready to fly solo
A for a while. It might happen after reaching certain goals,
A or when a renewed sense of contentment and gratitude
A surfaces.

A Sometimes, I will recommend a reduction in frequency,
A or will suggest a completion celebration to mark the end
A of that part of the journey. There will even be times when
A I will recommend another coach who has expertise better
A suited to your goals.

A Ideally, your relationship with your life coach will be one
A to which you return whenever you need assistance to take
A another big step in your life.
A [ back to top ]

Q How do I contact you?
A Start by sending me an email: mary@yourjoyfullife.com.
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