Why might coaching be the right choice for you?

Posted on March 11, 2024 by Diana Liminovic, One of Thousands of Career Coaches on Noomii.

“Coaching” is a relatively new concept and a term not everyone has a clear understanding of. In fact, most people tend to associate it with and liken it to “therapy.” While this confusion is understandable, as both coaching and therapy aim to assist individuals in their growth and personal development, they employ different approaches and serve distinct purposes.

So, how exactly does coaching differ from therapy?

Let’s consider someone who is struggling with managing stress and having difficulty in achieving work-life balance.

Scenario A – Tom, therapy client:

Tom’s challenging life has led him to suffer from symptoms of anxiety, depression and other mental issues that have a significant impact on his day-to-day life.

A therapist would likely focus on exploring past traumas Tom may have experienced, including delving into unresolved issues from his childhood and formative years.

A therapist would also employ various techniques (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy) to assist Tom in understanding his thought patterns and from there help him to develop strategies to better manage stress and lead a healthier and more productive life.

Scenario B – Ana, coaching client:

Ana, typically a highly motivated, proactive and forward-thinking individual, often finds herself overworked, resulting in stress and conflict both at work and at home.

A coach would focus on the adoption of a future-oriented approach, helping her to identify personal and professional goals, including what actions she needs to take to move closer to the work-life balance she desires.

A coach would work with Ana to map out her values, priorities and strengths, and together coordinate a plan that would help her to manage her time and responsibilities. For example, the coach might support Ana in setting clear boundaries at work, delegating tasks more effectively and making self-care activities a priority of hers. Ensuring Ana remains motivated with a clear understanding how she is tracking towards her goal would also be a critical part of the coaching process.

It should also be noted that while many people hire coaches to address specific problems—like Ana in the above example—others hire coaches to turn something that is already “good” to something even “better.” A good analogy would be a highly accomplished athlete who hires a personal trainer not to initiate a new fitness journey, but to get as close to the best they can be, even though they are already performing at a very high level.

… Now, given the information shared, why might coaching be the right choice for you?

Does any of the following resonate with you?

While generally motivated and having a positive outlook on life, do you find yourself feeling “stuck” in specific areas in your life?

Do you have a strong desire for personal and professional growth and advancement?

Are you prepared to take ownership of your actions and decisions to attain success?

Do you demonstrate determination to confront obstacles and setbacks, remaining committed and focused on achieving your goals?

Finally, can you dedicate a spare hour of your busy schedule to your own personal growth, potentially leading to life-long improvements and a significantly higher chance of success, however you define it?

If you answered yes to any of the above, coaching could be the ideal option for you.