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If you’re already thinking about becoming a life coach, then you probably know that the title of this blog post is a little misleading. See, there is no typical day for a life coach. That’s one of the best things about a job like this, especially if you’re someone who values flexibility, has great time management skills and is motivated to succeed.
Life coaches are usually in business for themselves. They work out of their homes or small offices. Life coaches work with clients that range from people who are already super motivated and looking to take the next step to those who are stuck or blocked and need help getting started with something. Some life coaches focus on specifics aspects of life like health, relationships or balance. Others work on career paths or with small businesses and executives. The goal of most coaching work is to help the client make changes to shift their lives and work. The coach doesn’t usually give answers, just suggestions and observations, letting the clients be responsible for executing change, rebalancing or restructuring.
Life coaches use skills like questioning and observation to motivate and challenge clients. They aren’t therapists, though. This work isn’t about analyzing the past; it’s about igniting the spark to help people and businesses more forward. Coaches help clients set and achieve goals and brainstorm what the path to get there might look like.
Because every client and type of coaching is different, no one day looks the same for a life coach. But there are some similarities in how time gets spent. Let’s look at those.
Coaching can take place on the phone, via videoconferencing, in person and even over text and email. This flexibility allows coaches to work with people all over the world. A coaching sessions will typically last 30-45 minutes. Coaches usually work with about 3-4 clients a day. Executive and small business coaching might occur all day. A coach may spend a few full work days with the team, meeting with each member individually. During the coaching session, clients report on progress, ask and answer questions and do exercises that help them consider new possibilities.
Coaches don’t usually see clients back-to-back. They like to take time in between meetings to reflect on the session, plan for future work and follow-up with the client via email or text with reminders. This follow-up time lets coaches decompress and be ready and focused for work with the next client. Many life coaches offer free sessions to potential new clients, so following up on requests like these also takes time. A business or executive coach may need to write up proposals and follow-up after team meetings with an owner, CEO or HR representative.
Because coaching is usually an entrepreneurial venture, coaches have to take time to build their businesses. This means writing blogs, updating social media, answering emails and coming up with marketing strategies like promotions, courses or webinars. This also looks like preparing contracts, new client information packets and other office work.
Coaches like to stay in touch with the community they serve and the one they belong to. Coaches often meet with each other for continued professional development and brainstorming. They may share client concerns or roadblocks and get feedback from colleagues. Coaches also attend events where potential clients might be. For example, small business and executive coaches attend business conferences and local meetings.
Coaches spend a lot of time in other people’s heads. They have to be empathetic in order to really help a variety of clients. This can lead to burn out if the coach doesn’t invest time in taking care of themselves. This looks like working out, yoga, meditation, making time for breaks, getting out into nature, eating well and having boundaries about work hours.
If life coaching sounds like a field you’d be interested in pursuing, check out the Master of Science in Psychology with an Emphasis in Life Coaching degree at Grand Canyon University College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
To learn more about how Grand Canyon University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences prepares students to become life coaches, visit our website or click the Request More Information Button on this page.
