What's a Midlife Coach?

A combination of mentor, friend, cheerleader and guide, who encourages you to name your values and beliefs, invites you to identify your strengths, and helps you develop a vision for the second half of your life. A midlife coach offers a tireless ear, helps you make a strategic plan, overcome obstacles and achieve success.

WHAT CAN I ACCOMPLISH THROUGH MIDLIFE COACHING?

• Defining new goals for my life
• Summoning the courage to take a new direction
• Identifying resources that can help me
• Developing strategies to attain my goals
• Making decisions, instead of delaying
• Staying on target, rather than getting diverted
• Building support along the way
• Solving problems as I encounter them
• Overcoming obstacles that have been blocking me
• Having a sense of accomplishment
• Gaining control over my life
• Finding contentment
• Allowing me to have confidence in myself and in the future

HOW IS COACHING DIFFERENT FROM THERAPY?

Coaching is action oriented, while therapy is feeling oriented.

The focus of coaching is:

• On the here and now
• Based on observable behavior and action
• Collaborative (client and coach are equals)
• Client is seen as healthy and resourceful

• Working through problems in the past
• Based on feelings
• Hierarchical (therapist is expert)
• Client is seen as dysfunctional

ARE YOU READY TO HIRE A COACH?

Did you answer some of the initial questions affirmatively? Did it sound as though they were referring to you when they described the concerns and challenges in mid-life?

Is there something you want to work on or achieve that you have had difficulty accomplishing?

Are you willing to modify or change behaviors in order to achieve your goals?

Are you ready to keep appointments with yourself to do your coaching homework?

Are you willing to try new approaches to solve problems that may be in your way?

Are you willing to make a financial commitment to yourself in order to find satisfaction and happiness in your life?

If you can answer yes to these questions, you will benefit from working with a coach.