CHOOSING THE RIGHT COACH FOR YOU
Selecting the right life coach is essential to a successful coaching experience . Matthews offers these tips when considering a coach :
“ You should find a life coach who makes you feel comfortable , confident and excited about working with them . You want to find a life coach who resonates with your values , beliefs and vision . Look for a life coach who is not only a professional , but also a partner , a guide and a friend ,” Matthews advises .
“ A life coach should be someone you feel comfortable asking tough questions to , but also be able to answer tough questions from them . A great life coach should also be compassionate , empathetic and most importantly , an active listener . If your life coach talks more than you , you may need to find a new life coach .”
BENEFITS OF LIFE COACHING
Hiring a life coach offers several benefits , including better goal setting , improved communication skills and more fulfilling personal and professional relationships . “ Life coaches help clients hold themselves accountable while also providing encouragement . As a result , clients have a better ability to set and achieve goals , more satisfying work life , improved communication skills , stronger relationships , better work-life balance , improved quality of life and decreased stress and anxiety ,” Matthews shares .
While life coaching and therapy share some similarities , they are fundamentally different . A therapist is a licensed professional who helps clients address mental health issues , focusing on past trauma or struggles . In contrast , a life coach focuses on future goals and guiding clients toward personal growth . “ A therapist focuses on your past and asks questions to find answers to diagnose a problem for you . A life coach focuses on your future and asks questions to help guide you to answer your own issues ,” Matthews explains .
COMMON BARRIERS TO ACHIEVING GOALS
Self-doubt , lack of discipline and the inability to articulate one ’ s goals are some of the most common barriers that prevent people from achieving their dreams . Matthews shares one of her favorite quotes from motivational speaker , Zig Ziglar : “ If you aim at nothing , you will hit it every time .” She encourages her clients to define their goals clearly in order to give themselves a clear path forward .
Life coaching is more than just an industry ; it ’ s a transformative process that empowers individuals to achieve their potential . Whether you ’ re looking to gain clarity in your career , improve your relationships or find balance in your life , working with a life coach can provide the guidance and support you need to make lasting changes .
THE POWER OF COACHING
One of Matthews ’ clients was a single mother who struggled with pursuing multiple projects without a clear goal . “ She was extremely gifted and had a heart for helping people . She had several things she felt God was telling her to do . The list would continue to grow . She would start down one path and then pick up the next thing . It started to weigh on her ,” Matthews explains . “ Through our coaching sessions , she has learned a structured approach to achieving her goals . We celebrate her victories and discuss any obstacles . She ’ s back to being more confident and driven .”
This client has since been able to establish a clear direction and take actionable steps toward her goals . “ We do check-ins and each time I speak with her , I can hear her enthusiasm ,” Matthews says . “ She now has tools that she uses in all areas of her life .”
TECHNIQUES USED IN LIFE COACHING
Matthews has developed several effective coaching techniques that have helped her clients achieve their goals . One of her favorite methods is journaling . “ I have coined and implemented BIG Journaling , which incorporates using personal testimonies and gratitude reflections as a client ’ s motivation to fulfill their goals ,” she says . Additionally , Matthews uses visualization techniques such as vision boards , word clouds and affirmations to help clients manifest their dreams .
She even wrote a book titled That ’ s BIG : Believing It ’ s God ! to share her testimony .
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