I decided to work with a life coach earlier this year. I believe in coaching and was having a hard time wrapping my head around certain things in my life. I wanted to make the right decisions particularly in regard to a relationship, but I didn’t want to be unrealistic or give up too soon. It helps to get your thoughts out your head to process them and decide what’s in your best interest. Coaching can help be that sounding board. A lot of successful people have worked with life coaches including Oprah Winfrey. There’s definitely value. The problem is when you work with a coach who gives you advice. That can lead you to disaster. Why? Because everyone already knows for themselves what feels right to them. Of course sometimes we need a pick me up, new perspective, alternative views, or supplemental information. What we don’t need (in matters of the heart especially) is advice. We know what’s best for us.
So my life coach told me I should move on from the relationship I was in, but it didn’t feel right to me. I didn’t move on. However, later on in a dispute with my partner I told him that my life coach told me I should move on. That didn’t go over too well. Even though I didn’t accept the advice for my relationship the fact that it was given and I repeated it took an already tense situation and made it worst.
The truth is we already know what’s right for us. Sometimes we’re afraid to face it. Sometimes we’re in denial. Sometimes there’s just so much clutter in our lives and in our thoughts that we can’t think clearly. Coaching or even just sharing your struggle can help give you clarity. Coaching can help draw out what you know deep inside to be true. Everything you ever wanted to know, every decision you seem to hem and haw over already has an answer inside of you. You have all the answers you need.