On Being a Coach - Why I do what I do

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Rebecca Macfarlane, One of Thousands of Business Coaches on Noomii.

On a recent trip to Lexington, Virginia, my husband and I happened to stumble across a shop called Celtic Tides which was wonderfully full of all things Scottish. Having just recently left Scotland to move to America it was a great treat to see all the treasures they had in store, and to speak to John, the shop owner, who hails from very near to where we were living. As we chatted, the inevitable question came up – “What is it you do for a living?” Ah, such an innocent question! But for myself, I find that the simple answer of being a family and parent coach is met with first interest and then confusion.

What is a coach? What is it you do, exactly?

Coaching is something most people have heard of, and they at first believe they understand what the word means. But when the word coaching is used outside of sports, people aren’t all too sure what it means to be a coach. Coaching is quite new as a profession, and the understanding people have of life coaching or any kind of coaching is largely gleamed from news articles or television appearances, and not from personal experiences. This confusion is compounded by the fact that every coach comes to coaching with a different purpose, and has a different style and vision about what their practice will deliver.

I am currently undertaking my second coach accreditation course through the International Coach Academy. I knew I wanted to be a coach when I saw how powerful using coaching techniques can be in helping people change their lives. The search for the authentic self, and the exploration of what makes each of us unique and wonderful spoke to me immediately.

What does a great coach actually do?

A great coach asks incredibly thought-provoking, deep questions that helps people gain an insight on their own lives and their own potential for greatness. Great coaching is all about change and giving people true empowerment and person-centered support to change their lives for the better.

I genuinely believe that we are all greater and more important than we realize. My work as a career and transition coach focuses on helping people become more AWARE of the skills and abilities they already have find their purpose and live their best, most joyful lives. My goal is to use my coaching skills, techniques and expertise to help people find their own brilliance, joy and purpose. And then to help the make daily changes to achieve a life more focused on these things.

Really, it’s all about helping people live their best life!

I truly believe that my purpose in life is the help change the world one person at a time. I am a coach because I want to play a role in supporting people in a way that brings out the best in myself, and helps me be a part of a quickly changing world.

Being a coach is more than a career for me, it is a way of life. Coaching allows me to use my whole self, all my skills and natural intuition about people, and my genuine passion for children and parenting them well. My coach training will continue throughout my life. I am hooked on self-development and personal growth! I am on a journey of learning to be non-judgmental, inquisitive, and authentic.

There is something very powerful about a conversation between people who can establish a deep, human connection. I believe in the principles that language and conversation are powerful tools and are what links us. Coaching conversations are essentially a tool to establish these connections in a new way, and in a way that is focused on moving people forward towards the future they seek – be it in regards to their careers, family relationships, health, or any other aspect of their lives they wish to change. As a coach, I love being able to help people achieve their goals and improve their lives. What could be more rewarding than that?!

*Coaching Question: * What one thing about your life would you like to change? What has been blocking you thus far from changing it?