Page 11 - Leisure Living Magazine May 2019

What Is A Life And Career
Coach?
By Mary Lynn Graham, Au.D., mlglifecoach@gmail.com
When I tell someone that I am a life and career coach, I am almost always asked, “what exactly do you do?”
A coach is an objective partner who supports you when you find yourself facing a hurdle that you just can’t get over; and what presents itself as a hurdle to one person may be just a small step for another. This has much to do with personality and life experience. The following are just a handful of examples.
Sale of a business: In my personal life, the need for a coach presented itself most vehemently in 2012 when I was given the opportunity to sell my audiology practice (of 17 years). Did I want to sell? Was it the right time? Was it the right price? What would I do after the sale? I mulled over these questions and candidly was getting nowhere. A life/career coach supported me through my decision process, and in taking the next steps.
A career change: A man who is successful at work but not fulfilled. He does not feel that he is fully utilizing his skills. Should he hang in there and continue to do what he is doing? Does he try speaking to management to see if there might be another role for him? Does he seek out something totally different based on his passions and abilities? How would he prepare for that?
Life balance: A woman who is a highly successful business woman. She is respected and she does exceptional work. For that reason, the more she gives, the more she is asked to give. She loves the kudos she receives from her employer and has climbed the corporate ladder at a rapid pace. She is, however, exhausted. Her home is in a state of disorganization, and she is working often until the wee hours. How in the world can she achieve any kind of balance?
Life decision: A young woman is engaged. She loves being with her man, and they have lots of fun together. However, she worries that her fiancé is not being completely honest with her. Is this just her nerves, or significant enough to warrant making a change in plans?
Small business hurdle: A woman has been a business owner for many years, but she’s lost her passion. What can she do differently to regain a sense of fulfillment in her chosen profession? How does she want to spend her time? How can she make greater impact?
Anyone who has had any degree of success, can attest to the fact that there is no success without a collection of victories, defeats, momentous times of jubilation, and moments of despair. I would also venture to say that no accomplishment is ever achieved without support, or someone cheering behind the scenes.
In summary, a life coach is a partner during a time of transition, who can help you find the tools and insights to take your journey where it needs to go.
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