What is a life coach? The International Coach Federation (ICF) — the leading global coaching organization and professional association for coaches — defines coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.”

Why visit a life coach?

1. They can help you achieve your goals – If you are feeling stuck and/or need help in making a decision a coach will help you discover what’s important to you to make the best decision. They help you sort out and clarify your values. Make sure and check their credentials. It would also be wise to speak with a prior client.
2. They help you achieve a better, richer life – regardless of your type of goal – Some people want focus on personal goals such as balance, stress reduction, health. Some people seek a coach for professional or business goals like switching careers, leadership skills or growing a business.
3. It’s not as big a time commitment as you may think – Results can be achieved in as little as meeting three times a week. Good coaches work hard to get you moving towards what you desire quickly.
4. They are experts at changing behavior – To make changes, you sometimes need a third party – but not another person telling you what to do. Coaches help their clients explore and come up with the best choices for them based on where they are and the client's vision for their future.
5. It’s value is measurable – According to the ICF Global Coaching Client Study commissioned by the International Coach Federation, individual clients reported a median ROI of 3.44 times their investment in coaching.
6. You are ready to change and grow – You may be wondering what else is out there for you. You may have gone through something life changing and challenging. You may feel like there is one obstacle after another. You may feel happy, but unchallenged. Happy or unhappy, either is a great time to utilize a professional who can guide you to your next level of your one big wonderful life. Change can be scary for most. Why go it alone? Even if you are comfortable coaching can help you step out of your comfort zone. Having someone else accountable for your progress is key in building a support system for change.
7. You’re tired of living in fear – Let’s face it, a lot of people live in fear. Daily. A life coach will hold space for you to name your fears, give you tools to take action despite them and change the way you feel about them. Sounds like something most people on the planet could benefit from.
8. You’re ready for a self-discovery journey – Perhaps you have been going to yoga and hearing about how you take the lessons you learn on the mat and use them in your own life. But what if you never learned how to listen to your intuition and apply that to your life. A coach can show you how.
9. Real support – Having someone validate your success and progress can be really empowering. Some people move through life alone. Your success will be acknowledged and celebrated.
10. Get you back on track – If you have been engaging in destructive behaviors, a coach can guide you back to a healthy path. To have the courage to ask for help is a sign of someone who is ready to do the work. A coach can listen to your issues in an un-biased and supportive manner and help you with an action plan.

About the author:

Scottsdale, Arizona-based writer Stephanie Spence is the former publisher of the award-winning monthly wellness lifestyle magazine in Pennsylvania, Health & Fitness. Spence Communications, Inc. published numerous magazines and produced a short documentary film. This mother of two spends her time writing, traveling, teaching yoga and volunteering with an equine therapy group for challenged youth. Her philosophy and approach to yoga are unique and powerful drawing on her vast life experiences and her video blog, www.one-with-life.com, is an expression of that. Her writing has appeared on numerous blogs, literary journals and magazines including a “guide to the mindful life’: Elephant Journal. Connect with Stephanie on Google+.