by Phil Houseal as published in the Kerrville TX Community Journal. Mar 25, 2009
We all have had coaches help us along - soccer coaches, baseball coaches, coaches as gym teachers, even birthing coaches.
Wouldn't it be great to find someone to coach us through life?
Meet your Life Coach.
"A life coach is a highly-trained professional who helps you gain greater satisfaction and well-being in your life and work," said Leia Francisca, life and executive coach accredited by the International Coach Federation.
Life coaching is as far from the stereotypical sports coach as a life goal is from a field goal. Life coaches do not stand on the sidelines and tell you what to do.
"Coaching is a guided journey to your own answers," Francisca explained. "We are not advice givers. Coaches believe you - the client - have the answers. Our real power is helping you clarify the issues, understand the possibilities, then help you take action."
The most common reason people approach her is that they are "seeking change."
"Every individual wants to change something in their workplace or life, but most are not sure what that is," said Francisca. "The majority say something isn't working in life - not that I'm sick and need therapy - I'm just simply lost and not clear on what to do next."
The real power of a coach is helping them clarify their situation, consider the possibilities, then take action. An effective coach helps people truly understand what they need to change.
Francisca calls it "coaching to the gap."
"My job is to see the disconnects, and work with people in transition. I help them understand what it is like to let go of the old and embrace the new."
Francisca went through a similar process along her journey to becoming a coach. She was successfully teaching at a college, but felt she wanted to do more with her life. She taught because she loved to communicate with people, and wanted to help people find out who they were, to discover that sense of purpose and strength inside themselves. She had an opportunity to try coaching, and now pursues it as her own career.
Today, through Club Ed, she wants to help others become coaches.
"There are not enough of us to go around," explained the instructor, who holds a Master of Arts in Bus Administration. "There are so many specialties to coach that there is room for everyone. And today, 90% of our work is by phone."
Francisco offers both life coaching and "how to become a life coach" sessions at Club Ed. The meetings are set up on an individual basis.
"People wonder where do I start, where do I go," she said, explaining her "how to coach" sessions. "Before they spend money, I want them to test drive this, to understand what is ahead of you."
Francisco emphasizes that coaching - life coaching - applies to anyone of any age.
"It is well documented that being coached enhances training and develops performance. Personally, people are more focused and more likely to carry out plans to reach goals. This also creates such a sense of self-discovery and centeredness. It's not just feeding you fish; it teaches you how to fish. You are never too old to develop your life purpose and goals."
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To set up your one-to-one coaching session, click www.clubed.net, or call 830-895-4386.
Club Ed is the Community Education program of the Kerrville Independent School District. Each year, we offer more than 400 classes throughout the Texas Hill Country, along with online courses, business and individual training, and after-school and summer camps. Comment online at clubedcomments.blogspot.com.
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