Coaching is becoming more and more popular as years progress so chances are that at some point you’ve heard about it and have pondered on whether or not you should hire a coach. Unfortunately, you may be like many others where you’re just too scared to move forward with it. Don’t worry, there are many reasons why people don’t hire a coach. Here are the most common ones we hear:
1. They don’t understand what coaching truly is.
Coaching can be a difficult thing to understand as it often gets confused with consulting and counseling. According to the International Coach Federation, coaching “is a thought-provoking and creative partnership that inspires clients to maximize their personal and professional potential, often unlocking previously untapped sources of imagination, productivity and leadership.”
With coaching, the coach helps the client find their own answers where with consulting, the consultant is providing answers. Some people call themselves coaches when, in fact, they are really subject matter experts who are consulting a person on a particular matter.
The main difference between coaching and consulting is that coaching focuses on the future where counseling focuses on more of the past and working through things that have happened to someone or past behaviors as a result of their experiences. Knowing these differences is key to determining which you can benefit from.
2. There is still somewhat of a stigma around coaching.
How many people do you know who openly talk about going to counseling? Probably not many. The same goes for coaching. Many of us are taught that if we ask for help from others, that we are weak. This is not the case at all and it’s evident that people are starting to realize that because the stigma has lessened over recent years.
3. They don’t have the support of their spouse or significant other.
As we stated before, many people don’t know what coaching really is which makes it really hard for them to support someone who has a coach. When our closest friends or significant other doesn’t support us in what we do, whatever the reason may be, we tend not to do it. We usually care about that person so much and value their opinion so much that we let it really alter the way we live our life. If this is the case for you, we recommend asking your significant other why they don’t support you. It may just take a little education around the matter. If you’re not sure what to tell them, ask the coach you’re considering working with for some help.
4. They are afraid of the time commitment.
As a busy professional who’s trying to balance work and home life, you’re probably thinking that you can’t add one more thing to your plate. Did you know that a coach can actually help you manage your time better and be more efficient so that you not only have time for coaching but also to do other things you love? Speaking of things you love, coaches also help you identify what your values are and what brings you joy so you can focus on doing more of that so you that you live a fulfilled life.
5. They are afraid to make the financial investment.
If you are afraid to spend money on coaching, there could be a few reasons why. First, let’s face it, we all tend to feel a bit selfish when it comes to spending money on ourselves. We tend to put our kids and other people before us. But, have you ever sat down and figured out how much money you spend on meaningless things. For example, if you are a Starbucks lover, add up how much you spend on your treats at Starbucks each month. It would probably cover the costs of coaching. The problem is that you won’t cut out or down on other things until you understand value. Not only the value that the coach brings but your own value and that you are worth the investment. Part of understanding the value of the coach is knowing what a coach does, as we mentioned before, but also you have to ask the right questions to determine the value they bring. Keep a lookout for a future blog to help you determine the best questions to ask.
No matter what your reason is, you don’t have to be so afraid to move forward. A coach is a partner with you and can help you in so many ways personally and professionally. If you’re still scared to take a step forward, reach out to us so we can answer any questions you may have.
