Life Coaching
Originally posted on Dec 10, 2020, on FB
This is the 3rd time in a month I received a question regarding life coaching (e.g. how to be a life coach, is it profitable, schools, credentials, etc.). And so I thought of posting an excerpt from my book where I touched this.
School — I studied online but I think it’s also worth checking local schools
How many hours — I took the one with 125 hours and to become an Accredited Certified Coach, you need to coach for 100 hours (paid/unpaid)
Profitable — Yes, if you find paying clients and that will take time especially if you’re competing with other seasoned coaches.
My motivation — Career vs Vocation
Useful Links in the comment
Long Answer:
From Chapter 1
THE BIG GUN
Years ago, I observed one of the biggest guns in our office — the future me if I’d follow the trend.
He was on his mobile phone all the time. I was waiting for him as he passed by my cubicle. I was thinking of how I would greet him — ask how his weekend was. How is he doing? But to my surprise, he did not even bother glancing at me. His eyes were fixated on his work phone. At that time, I thought Senior Leaders don’t bother to connect with their colleagues. Only when I became busier that I understood that there were back-to-back meetings.
Even if you want to chit-chat with your colleagues, you can’t do it as how you would like as there’s another meeting waiting for you. Otherwise, it will be just a hi and bye. And that is not good communication and connection at all.
Do I want a job that consumes my time so much I do not even have the time to meet and greet employees? That’s what I thought as a middle manager, but maybe others feel differently.
LIFE COACHING
That same week, I had lunch with my friend from Toastmasters. I told her about my dreams and dilemma if I will pursue Financial Services.
Instead of offering me a solution, she suggested a life coaching course she’s also working on. She’s not the Coaching School’s sales agent, but she seems fit for how eager she was to convince me to do it. “Shiela, it’s fulfilling! You have the attributes to be a life coach. Coaches can change the world. Why not check the website of the International Coach Academy (ICA) and see it for yourself?”
I immediately checked the website, and my eyes grew bigger as I read the description of the course and how it can help others. But not only that, another thing that had me at the edge of my seat was when I read that I have to pay USD 7,315 and complete 125 hours of classes in 18 months. If I missed the due date, I had to pay USD 100/month.
I had to think about it for a long time.
Is this really what I want? Will I be happy? Can I do it in addition to my day job, Toastmasters and 4S Share a Secret Spread Success Scholarship Foundation (4S) obligations?
While asking these questions, I remembered the face of the big gun, and so, with my eyes closed, I signed up on February 26, 2018, with the completion date by November 26, 2019. I paid 20% less, thanks to the promo.
From Chapter 12 (Final Chapter)
I love life coaching, so I’m sure that I’ll do it later when I retire as how I planned when I signed up in February 2018. It’s not an immediate goal. I was only preparing my road. Alexis was right on this being my chance to complete the 100 hours of coaching and complete Accredited Certified Coach (ACC) certification while I’m still not back in the Financial Services world. I told myself that I’d write my book and study life coaching then start applying for jobs on July 1. That was my plan.
When I changed my AirBnB place on June 1, it came to my senses that time was fast approaching. I also realized that I wasn’t earning anything, and I didn’t stop spending on food and rent.
I was wondering if my calling was to help others. This time, it was more than just assisting underprivileged youths and assisting them in transforming their lives. The coaching with my friends in the last few months was my AHA moment.
One client who was once fearless was stuck and couldn’t move on. She was able to realize the reason during the coaching and she was relieved.
One client was in tears when, in one of our sessions, she realized how she was always putting her loved ones’ conditions first and never prioritized herself.
One client was freed from the unsaid thoughts that made him cry from time-to-time with no reason. If it weren’t for the coaching, he would still be carrying that burden. I realized that they only needed someone to talk to and imagine how powerful it would be to speak to a skilled listener like a Credentialed Coach?
It was a risky decision to respond to this calling as I’m new to coaching, and I was not financially secured yet. Leaving my rewarding and fulfilling career was not even planned!
What did I do? I continued my plan to apply for jobs on June 16, but I made it a point to apply for jobs where I would have time to continue coaching. I’m 100% sure that if I’d go back to Financial Services, I wouldn’t have the luxury to practice as a coach as I can now.
I reached out to my friends, where I can be an English tutor, Chess tutor, and any other part-time job. I got responses! After three life coaching sessions on June 20 morning, I completed my 98 hours. In the afternoon, I rendered my service as a Chess Coach!
Finally, on June 21, I completed my 100th hour as one of the requirements to be an Accredited Certified Coach!
If you’re curious about how I feel, honestly, I’m nervous, but I will still do it. After seeing my life crumble before me early this year, coupled with the pandemic and first-hand experience of friends that were locked down due to COVID-19, I want to be sure that I’m spending the rest of my life responding to my mission… to the vocation that God entrusted me with.
SUMMARY
Career and vocation are different things. A career is when you do your job to earn money, but a vocation is doing what you are called to do. Vocation gives a more fulfilling purpose in our lives. We are no longer running after temporary things, such as money; instead, we are now running towards a bigger purpose — God’s calling.
Pawn to Queen: Life’s Chess and Quest available on https://www.amazon.com/Pawn-Queen-Lifes-Chess-Quest-ebook/dp/B08F5DKV6T
