Me? Why would I need someone to tell me how to live my life?

I have had people tell me this straight to my face when I’d ask them if they’d ever consider working with a life coach. As surprising, and hurtful, as it was to hear that, it shouldn’t have taken me aback.

People generally have a way they like to do things. When we wake up in the morning, we have our routine of going to the wash, brushing our teeth and so on. We have a cup of coffee and a bite to eat, then we’re off to live our lives. After grinding through another day at work, with added leisure time in between, who needs a life coach? What is he going to tell me that I don’t already know?

I was guilty of thinking that way myself. I thought that I had the answers to everything. I can do whatever I put my mind to, anyway, I’m smart and the whole world is mine for the taking. But that’s where I got it all wrong. The world wasn’t as simple as I thought it was. People don’t always share the same beliefs and goals as you do, so road blocks that you never imagined suddenly appear. 

That promotion you thought you’d get? Sorry, not this year, Alexis. 

What about spending three years in the same company to finally realize your calling? Wait, you mean, you still don’t feel fulfilled?

How’s your long-term relationship going? I’m sorry to hear you’re having trust and anger issues.

A lot of the time, things don’t go our way despite our best intentions. We don’t have control over a lot that goes on in the world and, sometimes we need people to be on our side. It’s great that your mom and dad are there to support you. It’s also nice to have friends who’ll share drinks with you when you’re down. But where do you go from there?

I wish I knew what a life coach could do for me much earlier. I have a good set of friends but no one whose primary role was to be my reality check. If I had someone with whom I could bounce ideas off of, strategize with, and check my progress, I think I’d be in a better place. A life coach provides those things from an objective perspective.

Now, I don’t think working with a coach is for everyone. You definitely need to be open to the idea of someone working with you towards reaching your goals, otherwise, all the effort will go for naught. But, for people who are willing to give it a try, working with a life coach is a wonderful opportunity to reach heights that you may not have been able to before.