Here at Myrth, we love coaches of all kinds, from the trained professional to the informal relationship you have with a supportive best friend. That’s because we firmly believe the best way to grow as a person is to do it with the support of others, sharing and encouraging and holding each other accountable. 

There’s something special about formally-trained life coaches, though, that sets them apart. A good coach has skills, resources, and insights that are only gained through study and experience. We’ve had staffers here at Myrth work with life coaches, and the consensus is that it was a uniquely supportive and encouraging experience.

So why might you want to work with a coach yourself? Well, here are some ideas.

1.     Help identify and focus on what’s most important

It’s easy to lose track of the end goal when we’re mired in the swirl of daily life. For example, most entrepreneurs have chosen that way of life because they are bursting with creative ideas, but creativity doesn’t always come with action plans. A coach can help a business owner develop and stick to a plan that grows their business. Life coaches can help people implement the systems and processes they need to be productive and successful.

2.     Point out blind spots

Think about the last time you saw a full, 360-degree image of yourself. Can’t remember? That’s normal! And if it’s that hard to get a full picture of your physical self, imagine how hard it is to get a full picture of your inner self. That’s where coaches come in. They can help you see the big picture and identifying what’s missing.

3.     Gain a competitive edge

If your goals include business growth, a coach really might be helpful to you. That’s because businesses are more likely to succeed when their leadership is focused and goal-oriented. A good coach will help you identify your goals and the action steps to achieve them.

4.     Advance personal growth

Coaches are trained to help people grow both professionally and personally. A coach can create a safe environment for clients to see themselves more clearly, clear limiting beliefs and resistances, and meet the challenges they will inevitably face. In fact, the top benefits identified by an ICF (International Coach Federation) survey include:

·       80% of clients improved their self-confidence

·       73% of clients improved their relationships

·       72% of clients improved their communication skills

·       67% of clients improved their work-life balance

5.     Save time and money

Have you ever had a friend who becomes absolutely fixated on a particular workout routine and insists you try it until you finally give in? Ever had that happen, and then it turns out you hate that workout, or it’s a bad fit for your needs? Yeah. Sometimes, what works great for one person isn’t so good for another. A good coach helps you focus on the activities that will be most productive and helpful to you, and will steer you away from those that just waste your time or money.

6.     Increased accountability

Without someone to help you focus, it’s easy to get pulled in too many different directions. But with a coach, you define specific goals, develop action steps, and are accountable on a regular basis for completing those steps. This keeps you moving forward instead of sideways.

7.     Improve your relationships with others

A coach is a clear communicator and can train clients on how to come across better, relate more effectively with others, listen more mindfully, and influence, motivate and support more people. That means you’ll be better equipped to support and connect with the people who matter most to you.

8.  Support and encouragement

Coaches remind clients of their strengths, accomplishments, and vision. That’s especially helpful when you’re in the hard phase of a project and struggling with maintaining a positive outlook or otherwise keeping yourself moving forward. Having somebody to cheer you on through those dark times and then celebrate with you when you succeed is invaluable.

Hiring a life coach can be a really empowering and energizing experience. We hope this has been helpful for you in your decision process!

Have you ever worked with a life coach before? What were some of the benefits you saw? Share below in the comments!