Here to learn

RE: Here to learn

Hi Michelle

Lovely to see you here! It was about 2002 that I decided on the Life Coaching path too.... my life has changed so much since then and I just wouldn't go back to HR if you paid me a million dollars (well.... maybe for a day or two to collect the money! LOL)

How much do I love being a life coach ? Hard to quantify really! I do love it. I love the feeling when I've been able to help someone take control, or decide what they want, or make some decisions. Seeing the look on people's faces as they overcome challenges they're dealing with is just fantastic. Knowing that I've helped people release the stress of not knowing what they want to do themselves for a living is brilliant.

Hmm - downsides. Of the coaching itself, I find there are none. The downsides/challenges I've found really are to do with being self employed - i.e. having to do all your own marketing and networking. You have to keep this going in order to keep the flow of clients up. This is a necessity and nowhere near as enjoyable as the actual coaching. The summer can be quite quiet too which can be a bit of a downside if you have a "Security" preference in terms of money coming in (which I do). Other than that, I don't really come across any other downsides.

Good luck with the coaching - let us know how you're getting on 🙂
Alun

RE: Here to learn

Hello butterfly71/Michelle. Welcome to HealthyPages and to the Life Coaching forum 🙂

I'm delighted to see you posting here, as well as your thread in the Student/Training, as some seem to only post a request for coachees and not visit this forum at all.

Officially, I'm another class of 2002, though I guess at some level I've been coaching for many years. Yes, I certainly do find it most rewarding, and it seemed a natural addition to the Reiki teachingI was already doing. I became aware of coaching after reading a series of articles in the Times' Saturday magazine section which detailed real life case studies. I immediately related to this concept, as I've had a great interest in personal development for as long as I can remember.

Downsides? Well, I hear of coaches feeling isolated through spending much alone time other than telephone coaching, but since I enjoy a balance between relating to others and being happy in my own company, I don't feel that. And I certainly don't subscribe to the story that coaches spend their days in their pyjamas! 😀

I'd agree with Alun here about the rewards of (my words here) seeing the lightbulbs go on, the 'aha' moments of my clients.

What would you say has most changed you - if anything - since you became a life coach? I'll reserve my own answer on that one for later. 😉

Holistic

RE: Here to learn

Hi guys

I think I did a bit of a typo in my original post. I've only been going since 2005, so you're both 3 years ahead of me! I read a book in early 2005 by an Aussie lady called Sandy Forster, where she mentioned life coaching and that was the very first time I'd heard the term. We're a bit slow over here!!

Thank you so much foryour insights intolife coaching -your comments only confirm why it is I so badly want to finish my studies and be able to help others like you are.

As for the money/marketing side of things, I am self employed and have income from other passive sources, so life coaching will be something I do because I want to - not because I have to, which suits me perfectly.

As I said earlier,I only found this forum yesterday (by accident!) and I already love it!

Thanks again for your replies.

Hello

I'm not sure if this question is appropriate for this part of the forum, so please let me know if it isn't.

To all of the other life coaches, I was wondering what you use (by way of software) to keep track of your clients?

For example, I'm currently using Word to make notes of our discussions and my followups, and Outlook to remind me when to follow up with clients.

It's not working very well in that it's messy and and I'm using two systems, so what do you all use??

Hi,

I keep a paper file for each client with the notes I make in each session. I don't go through the hassle of re-typing them to be honest.

I keep track of them in a simple excel spreadsheet (which has their name, contact details, last appointment date, next appointment date, any follow up date, and any referrals they've given me). That works well for me. I like simplicity and ease 🙂

Hope this helps 🙂

Hi Alun
Thanks for that. I was thinking of using a paper file, but I am looking at doing a lot of email coaching, so copy and paste works very well for me right now!

Also, due to my very busy lifestyle (a young baby being at the heart of it!) I need to put reminders in otherwise my clients would be forgotten and that's not something I want (obviously!) so that's why I use Outlook for that.

I do have an excel spreadsheet set up as well though, which has their contact details and other information. It also links direct to the word document (so I only have to click on their name to get their Word file open). Ideally I'd like something combined so I only need to use one system.

Maybe I'll design something?? That'll keep me amused for a while!

Thanks again for your help.

Ah, I see what you mean about paper files, Michelle. I don't do a lot of email coaching, but cut and paste makes sense.

Perhaps setting something up in Microsoft Access would work? I've used that before as a database for records and alerts..... I use my Excel Spreadsheet to do searches for me to show me each day whom I need to contact.... I'd be lost without it! Of course, I also use a filofax too! I'm afraid I just don't like relying on technology wholly! 😀