As New Labour invest in them; do we need to get a Life Coach or, is simply getting on with life, enough?

A life coach is fast becoming the new personal trainer and the "must-have" craze for those who value their life. The concept of coaching has taken off with high-flyers, celebrities, sports personalities, politicians, and CEO´s. A life coach is now part of the normal "perks" package for investor bankers. As the editor of the Economist wrote in the summer, "Life coaching is better than an MBA and a means to cultivate future leaders." After all, charisma comes from working on yourself that includes liking and accepting yourself unconditionally. Charismatic leadership is also part of being the new style, vigilant leader; Sir Richard Branson is an excellent example. (more of the topic of vigilant leadership next time).

What is a Life Coach?
A life coach is for those searching something more in life or maybe for those who seek a new adventure and thrill. It is not surprising that New Labour is currently replacing spin doctors with life coaches! The Sunday Times front page recently reported (27/8/0) that "Patricia Hewitt and other cabinet ministers are receiving 'life coaching' at taxpayers' expense to help them cope with the pressures of government."

When do we need to call a Life Coach?
When the "new" is getting "old" or life is getting too tough, or when it's time for a change or time to make improvements in your life. Maybe it is time to achieve a specific target, like write a book or set up your own company or because you want to become a better partner, parent or philanthropist. Maybe it is to find the perfect partner, or improve your confidence and skills in dating. Any time your life feels like a "make-over" or you need to "re-engineer yourself", or simply to find inner-peace in your life or its kernel.

So what makes Life Coaching the new "de rigueur" over personal trainers and spin doctors? The answer must be first in its speed. In just a few sessions, coaching can change the way you view your life, and the way you spend your time, it can open new doors, create new opportunities, give you a new direction and a sense of purpose or simply make you more aware of yourself. Secondly, all the answers we have asked lie deep within our self's, and it's just a case of taking the time to tap into our self, to search within. Coaching is a process that facilitates change and completes our true inner self. Thirdly, because more and more people seek the truth, and again this can be unlocked easily deep within each and everyone through a coaching session.

Life is full of issues - what's new!
Someone recently asked me if I had an issue with life? Well of course I have one, and tell me who does not? A life coach is, after all a human being with emotions and feelings too? The difference is those who turn to a life coach seek solutions in real-time, while the rest continue to grumble, groan and sink deeper in their own pile of poo. These people also enjoy making everyone around them miserable too. Do I really want to work or live with such people? No.

What can coaching really do to improve my life?
Coaching creates a sense of reality in our lives, brings us a sense of true purpose and connects us to our inner-self - is there anything wrong with this I ask myself? This is personal development the alternative is personal struggle and frustration. The choice is yours.

Coaching is about standing still for a moment in silence. Yes it can evoke emotions that we want to hide through our constantly "doing" and "business". Coaching is about checking where we are in our life, what we have done well, what we have learnt along the way and how we can use that to move our life forward onto the path that will make us happy, fulfilled and balanced. And surely anyone who is all or partly all three of these makes a better partner; in life, in the family and at work? Anyone who does not take time to stand still in silence is dancing with their demons and living in a state of fear. Animals smell fear and humans with good instincts do too. Fear evokes negative responses and creates a "stale-mate."

Coaching evokes emotions and proposes difficult questions, why? Yes both these statements can be true but the reason is to gain the results you want to see. So first you have to be committed to change.

Questions also lead to answers, for example, have you ever asked yourself "what it is you are running away from?" Make time to stand still for a moment to reflect on your life now? Ask yourself "what it is you really really want and why?" These are difficult questions there is no-doubt and over time, we constantly change our wants, needs and desires. When we start to think about what we want, and really really feel it, believe in it, imagine it and act as if it has happened, only then, can we begin to get the life we deserve, to radiate and attract the life we want. When we repeat those positive patterns, thoughts and feelings, this develops into a habit and we become who we want to become and do that which we want to do. We become masters of our life, masters of our time and our own master life coach. Then we can begin to meet our aspirations and move into the areas in life where we want to go and acquire what we want to have in our lives. Life coaching does not dictate or tell you how to run your life rather it can help you to run your own life rather than your life running you!

When is a good time to start Life Coaching?
Any time is a good time. Autumn is particularly good time to tune-up your life and re-engineer yourself. As the summer sun starts to cool down and colours start to change on the trees, and as the evenings get shorter, start to immerse yourself in yourself. So as winter approaches, you can face the darkness with a new attitude and fresh approach to life to keep you moving forward into springtime. The alternative is to just sink into your couch and be a potato or act as if you are Cinderella in fairytale land, living in the hope that someone else will make your life worthwhile and fulfilling and turn your pumpkins and demons into your dreams.

Who should not get a Life Coach?
Life coaching is not for the clinically depressed, anyone with an anxiety disorder or anyone suffering any psychiatric problems. Life Coaching is also not for anyone with a perfect life.

What can I expect from a Life Coaching session? Life coaching is playful, and interactive, it's about you, it is a lot of talking, thinking, feeling, listening, reflecting, it enables you to increasing your emotional intelligence and download your issues. Most important, Life Coaching is about taking responsibility for your own life, it's about creating positive change from within.