This is a guest post by Kayla Matthews. Want to contribute? Check out the 2017 publishing calendar.

Coaching others through their careers or personal lives is much easier said than done. Many would-be mentors are learning this the hard way. As they're suddenly faced with the challenge of running their own business as well as the difficulty of helping others realize their own success, some have bit off far more than they can chew.

If you remain dedicated to the cause through thick and thin, there are some steps you can take to gauge the effectiveness of your coaching and correct any downfalls. Doing so could mean the difference between a lifelong career as a life coach or going back to the daily grind of the common workforce.

1. Work within your area of expertise

There's no sense in making your role as a life coach any harder than it already is. Seeking out clients who are already positioned within your own area of expertise is a great way to mitigate some of the inherent challenges of your job. Coaches who have a vast pool of knowledge in construction, for example, will likely find it difficult to provide their services within the IT industry or among members of the public media.

2. Follow up with your clients

Always provide follow-up communications with your clients after your coaching contract has expired. While you can use different milestones and reviews to measure progress in an active coaching project, initiating contact several weeks, months or even a year after your services have ended is one of the most effective methods of illustrating your true effectiveness as a professional life or career coach.

Try to be as direct as possible with your questions. Finding out exactly what your clients think about your success and your shortcomings is critical when trying to patch holes in your program and solve any problems with your coaching system.

3. Narrow your focus by expanding your company

Running your own coaching business requires a great deal of multitasking on a daily basis. Not only are you concerned with the progress and success of others, but you also have your own needs – including the basic necessities of owning your own company – to tend to.

While you may be determined to control every single aspect of your business, don't be afraid to take a step back and, if necessary, delegate some of these responsibilities to others. You can reduce time spent managing employees by outsourcing HR tasks, minimize financial risks by hiring a financial advisor or take care of your technological needs by working with an external IT firm.

4. Use what works and drop what doesn't

Coaches that have been at their role for several years, as well as those who initiate follow-up communications with their clientele in a timely manner, should have a good idea of which methods work better than others. The key is to emphasize your most successful strategies while minimizing, or foregoing entirely, those that aren't as effective. Not only does this reduce the potential for wasted time or misguided advice, but it can also help you build a unique reputation among peers and competitors alike.

However, the strategies and methodologies that work for one individual might not necessarily work for everyone else. This is exactly why you need to maintain communications with your active clientele throughout the entire process and even after their contract is up.

Coaching by example

Just like any other leader, a successful life or business coach needs to set a shining example for others to follow. Any flaws or glaring errors in your system are bound to be noticed by diligent clientele, who may interpret it as a lack of knowledge, inexperience or simple laziness on your part. The best and most efficient coaches are able to identify these weaknesses and repair them in time for the next project.

About Kayla Matthews

Kayla Matthews is a personal development enthusiast and productivity blogger. In addition to writing for the Noomii, Kayla also writes for The Daily Muse, The Chicago Tribune and The Huffington Post.

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