22 Apr 2014

Many people wonder what their real purpose in life is, how to go about life and how to reach one’s full potential.

The answer to these questions is a simple explanation of a life coach. Batswana, like other Africans, do not really know the necessity of a life coach but one would appreciate it in order to enhance one’s progress in life.

Life coaching is a relatively new concept, having risen to popularity in the late ‘90s and the early years of this century. This is popularly stated and given thanks to the many celebrities who credited their success to having hired life coaches.

Although the term ‘life coaching’ is quite new, the idea of helping others to appreciate their strengths and overcome obstacles to live to their full potential has been around for a very long time, stated Neil Asher in his book titled Confessions of a Life Couch.

Further, in Botswana, there are Human Resource Practioners and Recruitment Consultancy Agencies that offer life coaches, but because they are not known by most Batswana, they continue to be shell sealed and never aspire to be anything and everything they ought to be.

The core of life coaching is the belief that every person has the capability to be, doing and have anything he or she desires.

People are unique individuals but we share one very powerful attribute – the ability to create our own reality through our thoughts, intentions, beliefs and actions.

Life coaching, just like the coaches who push athletes to achieve greatness in sports, push their clients to achieve success in their careers, relationships, or lifestyles.

Life and wellness coaches do not focus on changing specific behaviors; instead, they develop their clients’ overall strengths and abilities, according to the International Coach Federation.

That is the governing organisation for the coaching profession.

In addition, The WebMD blog states that, Life coaches provide the incentive and direction their clients need to improve their careers, relationships, and lives.

They help clients to hone in on their skills and ambitions, refocus their life’s goals, and overcome obstacles that stand in the way of achieving goals.

More of the benefits of life coaching include clarity about what you want, why you want it and how you can get it.

Secondly, bridging the gap between where you are now and where you want to be.

Thirdly, strategies and techniques which will help facilitate you to reach your goals faster, and overcoming obstacles, low confidence and insecurities.

Also, explore and evaluate all possible options available and lastly dedicated time, support, encouragement and motivation.

The Dalai Lama once said “the purpose of our lives is to be happy”, and this is the fundamental real benefit of coaching.

What happiness actually means is unique to each and every one of us, and more and more people are turning to a Life Coach to help them discover a great deal more happiness in their life. ENDS