As a life coach trainer and former certifying examiner for the International Association of Coaching (IAC), the most common question I hear is: Can I really make a living as a life coach?
I'm glad people ask that question before making a career change. Because the fact is, it's not easy to make a living as a life coach.
Why is this? Well, there are a number of factors. For one thing, change is hard. And as much as we say we want to make changes in our lives, deciding to hire a life coach means that we have to do some hard work! Not everyone is up to that.
In addition, in today's economy most people see life coaching as a luxury. Indeed, in its traditional form (i.e. client meets the coach each week in-person or on the telephone for 30 - 60 minutes, for a typical fee of $300 a month), it's just too expensive for most potential clients.
Many coaches will argue that the fee is not at all expensive when you consider the progress that the client will make in terms of career satisfaction, meeting life-long goals and possibly even making a higher salary. I don't disagree with that.
Nonetheless, it's hard for most coaches to get clients.
I want to be really clear about this, because when you start searching for information on the Internet about becoming a coach, you're going to come across all sorts of sites that promise you the moon (maybe you've already encountered that).
Why would they do that? Because they want to raise your expectations about how easy it is to become a professional coach and how much money you're going to make.
Keep in mind that most Internet websites exist to sell you something. The coaching field is no different. The exceptions are sites from independent certification bodies such as the ICF and the IAC, and discussion forums such as the New Coach Connection.
I'm glad people ask that question before making a career change. Because the fact is, it's not easy to make a living as a life coach.
Why is this? Well, there are a number of factors. For one thing, change is hard. And as much as we say we want to make changes in our lives, deciding to hire a life coach means that we have to do some hard work! Not everyone is up to that.
In addition, in today's economy most people see life coaching as a luxury. Indeed, in its traditional form (i.e. client meets the coach each week in-person or on the telephone for 30 - 60 minutes, for a typical fee of $300 a month), it's just too expensive for most potential clients.
Many coaches will argue that the fee is not at all expensive when you consider the progress that the client will make in terms of career satisfaction, meeting life-long goals and possibly even making a higher salary. I don't disagree with that.
Nonetheless, it's hard for most coaches to get clients.
I want to be really clear about this, because when you start searching for information on the Internet about becoming a coach, you're going to come across all sorts of sites that promise you the moon (maybe you've already encountered that).
Why would they do that? Because they want to raise your expectations about how easy it is to become a professional coach and how much money you're going to make.
Keep in mind that most Internet websites exist to sell you something. The coaching field is no different. The exceptions are sites from independent certification bodies such as the ICF and the IAC, and discussion forums such as the New Coach Connection.
About the Author:
Mentor Coach Barbra Sundquist specializes in life coach training. Visit her website "Become A Certified Coach" to get solid advice on how to become a life coach.. Also published at Can I really make a living as a life coach?.
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