A career as a life coach is both rewarding and profitable. Life coaches spend their days empowering people to change their lives. They are motivational speakers that work one-on-one with clients to assess and fix their problem areas, although they may work with larger groups of people as well.
To become a life coach, you should first learn as much as you can about the career. There are several books, websites, and eBooks available to help teach you about life coaching, and how to get started in it. A college degree in psychology, sociology, or a related field is a great way to learn how to motivate others to change. Research any licensing requirements your state may have for life coaches, and make sure you meet or exceed them.
After learning about the career of life coaching, you should begin trying to narrow down your work to a specialty area. Most life coaches work exclusively in one or two subjects. Some common subjects are career, family, weight loss, and time management. When choosing your specialty, consider what you are good at. If you have always been great with relationships -- the person all of your friends go to for help with their love lives, you may fit well as a relationship life coach. Become a life coach in something that you enjoy, and that you think there will be a demand for in your area.
Before you become a life coach, consider where you want to coach. Some coaches work online, or over the phone. Some go work at big companies, or other office settings. For a more informal coach, meeting in your client’s home may be an option. A lot of coaches have their own offices where they work with clients. Deciding where you will work is one of the first steps to setting up your business.
After deciding where you will work, the next step is to market yourself. Print up business cards, and hand them out to friends and family members, with the request that they let others know about your business. Let people know that you have decided to become a life coach, and that you are seeking clients. Have a list of your credentials ready for anyone who asks. Join your local business association. Advertise in print, radio and television spots.
To become a life coach, you must have a desire to help people succeed. You must push, challenge, and otherwise motivate people to make changes in their lives to help them reach their goals. Although the job is sometimes challenging and there will be stressful days, becoming a life coach is a wonderful job for those who want to be self employed in a meaningful career field.
