Posted on April 8, 2011 by Elaine Taylor-Klaus

A few years ago, I channeled my mid-life crisis into a celebration, and I have never turned back. After years of trying to figure out what I wanted to “do” when I grew up, I finally discovered that along the journey, I’ve been doing it. I just didn’t know what it was called.

Nor was I asking the right question. When I started asking what kind of life I wanted to live, instead of what kind of work I wanted to do, my life purpose became clear. Crystal clear, like the Hope Diamond.

After an intensive course of learning, exploring and experimenting—and working with a few life coaches of my own—I became a Life Coach. And I LOVE it!

Here’s what I don’t do: I don’t play team sports, or yell at people from the sidelines (unless they happen to be on one of my kids’ teams). I don’t tell people what to do, or how to do it. And I don’t pass judgment.

What do I do? I meet people where they are in their lives, and gently but firmly invite them to grow into living the most magnificent lives they can. I help people find their authentic voices, and find the power they deserve to let those voices guide them.

I have never enjoyed anything I’ve done professionally as much as I enjoy coaching. The work, for me, is gratifying, positive, and inspiring; the results, for clients, can be quite remarkable, with major and minor shifts leading to continuous life growth and change.

Everything I’ve ever done is influencing this new period in my life. My background –everything from advocacy to social work, program development to public health, parenting to medical management of children –all of these provide a foundation for me to coach people in different stages of their lives.

And yet, despite a lifetime of varied experiences, my expertise is in the process, not the details. To coach is to be present with a client and help her clarify what she wants to pursue (or be, or enjoy, etc.), focus and figure what that looks like for her, and then take action toward reaching her goals. It is not about giving advice, or consulting based on my experiences or knowledge base.

My life experience guides my questions; my clients have all the answers.