What is Life Coaching?

When people ask what I do for a living, I try to avoid saying “I’m a life coach.” Sometimes people get the gist of what that entails but they may not fully get what happens in the coaching process or an actual session. 

So...I wanted to talk about that a little bit. I'm going to walk you through an example using the experience of Janan, a recent client. You gotta hear this! 

This is why she initially reached out. Continue reading and clicking on the links to hear more from her personal coaching journey. 

Like any profession, each individual is different and the coaching process will vary. 

Overall, life coaches are here to guide you to where you want to be. It could be related to: career, health, romance, parenting, finances, self-love, life transition and more. There are life coaches available for every aspect of life. 

The process is about holding clients accountable, getting them results and leaving them better off than when the process started. "Yeah, but Ayanna, how do you do that?” you may be wondering. 

 Let's hear what Janan has to say about my style.

Here's how I describe it: it's about combining strategy, logistics and practicality with an organic process that allows the client to self-reflect in a way she’s never done before. This reflection mainly occurs through personalized questions. 

There’s no script. No outline I’m following although I’m intentional about using my training and experience to ensure we address individual challenges. We also stay focused on our plan created together. 

I keep her on track with established goals. My niche is career and life purpose, but there’s often overlap in other areas of my clients’ lives. 

If she’s struggling to transition from her career, I guide her to figure out why. If she’s unmotivated and not completing her assignments in between sessions, we’ve got to understand what’s going on there too. 

And this leads to another aspect of coaching. There’s always work in between sessions. The client dictates what that looks like. I don't assign homework because I’m not a teacher. 

I’m a guide. A guide that has a map with multiple routes to get to the discussed destination. Coaches are trained to listen actively. To hold space for your emotions, thoughts and feelings. To force you to think in new ways and engage in a different perspective. 

This is all done in a non-judgmental environment where the client is empowered. We can all benefit from coaching because we can all improve in various aspects of our lives. 

Each session varies, but overall it’s designed to get you one step closer to your desired outcome ranging from more confidence, career clarity, discovering purpose or pursuing passion. 

The specifics of what this looks like for a client is defined early on so we can ensure we know what success looks like. 

To see if we're a good fit and so a client can get an idea of what our relationship will entail, I offer a free 45-minute breakthrough call. 

Here’s what we do during the free call: 

> Talk through your situation.

> Clarify what you want to do next, why you want to do it and how we get you there.

> Uncover potential challenges you may or may not be aware of at this point.

> Discuss what life coaching is about and what life coaching with me entails.

Here's why Janan signed up for a package after our initial virtual meeting. 

The coaching process isn’t a convo you have with friends or family about your life. It’s strategic dialogue that forces you to be introspective and get you to where you want to be. 

Sessions are virtual via phone or video depending on your preference. They’re offered at various times, including evenings and Saturdays. 

If you're ready for change, reach out for a free call.

Here's why Janan says women should choose me. Reaching out for support is a big step, but it’s one that can change the trajectory of your life. Or it could help someone you know. Share this with a woman who’s seeking career clarity, purpose or passion.