Thanks to people like Tony Robbins, Jack Canfield, and Oprah, hiring a coach isn’t just for the elite and very wealthy anymore. In the past decade or so, the coaching field has really come to life. I myself hired a life coach about eight years ago because I was felt trapped in my career and I was just about broke. I was a single mother of a teenager working 50 hour weeks and could barely pay my bills. Back then, people didn’t even know what a Life Coach was, but most of my friends insisted I was crazy to “spend money” on this when I was struggling between money and finding the time to clean the kitchen sink. My response at that time was: “I can’t afford NOT to work with a coach!” I was smart; I was ambitious; but I was unclear about what I could do to improve my life and no matter how many times I sat down to “think about that”, I came up empty. Then it occurred to me that teams who win have great coaches; teams who are losing hire new coaches. I decided that I was worth making that investment in myself, and indeed, it changed my life.
The most common reason I find as to why people work with a life coach is to gain clarity on the general living of their life. Just like those winning teams have coaches to guide them, lead them, and come up with the “play book”, so do individuals and families need this help too. Think about how much more successful we could all be if we had coaches. To go it alone is truly doing you a disservice. In today’s world with so much to do, information overload, and options galore – we all need someone to unplug, reboot, and recharge us. We need a coach to help us “play” better, be successful, and be fulfilled.
So, what are some reasons people hire coaches? Here are a few examples:
“It’s not that I don’t like my life, I just feel there is something more to it and I’m not sure what that is.”
“I work; I have kids; I’m trying to run a home and do it all and I’m ready to crash and burn. I just want a vacation from it all, but I can’t even get that to happen!”
“I am not really satisfied with my job. I mean, it pays me and its ok, but I just don’t have time to think about moving on or even updating my resume. I only know I don’t want to be “here” in five years.”
“I know that I should have enough money to feel more comfortable with my finances, but every month I come up short and I just can’t seem to get a handle on my personal budget.”
These are just some examples, but your story is unique. What is your story? Are you happy with your story? Do you desire to have a better, more successful, more fulfilling life? In this world we live in, we must do our very best to be successful in all the areas of our lives – body, mind, and spirit. This should not be difficult or stressful – we should have a life “in flow.” There is not just one area coaching will help with, but coaching will get all the areas of our life running together like a well oiled machine that we can then maintain. We need to be clear, calm and walk through each day with certainty. If we choose to procrastinate, avoid setting goals or not take action that is like buying a guarantee that nothing will ever move forward.
I once knew someone who lived and died by the words: “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.” Well, what he didn’t realize was, “it” may have not been apparently broken, but it sure could have used some polishing up. Don’t use excuses that your life is just fine as it is – make it better. Anything can always be better and it can always be worse, but that’s not an excuse not to change, move forward or grow. Have dreams - set your sights higher – be bold enough to be your best self!
I challenge you to look at your life today. You may not be unsatisfied but are you living your best life? Or, if you are unsatisfied, don’t waste another day. Do you have the best job you can? Do you take vacations? Do you prepare and eat healthy meals? Do you spend quality time with yourself? Your family? Your friends? Are you doing what matters most?
Make a simple list of what you would change if you could. Start to remember the dreams you once had and dust them off. Anything you want IS ACHIEVABLE – truly, it is. I hope you will start believing that today by showing yourself you are worth it; your family is worth it; your friends are worth it; your life is worth it! Don’t just think or talk about change – do it - make it happen.
Become your best; become the successful, powerful person you are meant to be! Your time is now.
Katalina Olivera is the owner of Katalina Coaching, LLC. She is a certified coach expert in personal growth, weight management, wellness, and work/life balance. Katalina is trained through Fowler Wainwright International and an active member of the International Association of Coaches (IAC). She is a published author, speaker, energy worker, and entrepreneur. You can learn more about Katalina Coaching at www.katalinacoaching.com.