Coaching, which became extremely popular in recent years, first developed in sporting activities where hiring a coach improved team performance. Later in the 20th century, Sir John Whitmore noticed the connection between sports coaching and organisations building a framework of GROW model, one of the most popular and common models in business coaching.
Life coaching is relatively a new discipline in the coaching industry. However, it’s gaining more attention and recognition for the benefits, leading to enhanced well-being and personal functioning (Grant & O’Hara, 2006). Qualifying recently as a Personal, Leadership and Executive Coach and based on my work with the clients for the last year, in this blog, I will answer the question: What Life and Career coaching is and how you can benefit from Life and Career coaching process.
What are Life and Career Planning Coaching?
Career and Life Planning is a learning process structured to provoke your thoughts, to develop your working life and personal life, focusing on the moment, and moving forward.
There are several different types of coaching, depending on the interventions, but the bottom line is why people are looking for change (Kingstown College)
The same applies to Life and Career Planning Coaching. However, discovering what you really want can take some time and reflection. The coach will not provide you with the solution but will start thoughts and feelings to help you find meaning in your life and work. One solution would not fit everyone but the process can help you find your personal vision and transform that vision into a plan with SMART goals.
How is the Life and Career Planning process structured?
- Analysis of the current situation
Reflect on your current situation right now. Many people underestimate this step, looking for an immediate change to run away from the situation. Career and Life planning looks into the entire life, looking into parts of your life that are important to you. During your life, you will realise that the importance of different elements is changing. Ask yourself questions:
- What is going well in your life and work? Give examples!
- What would you like to see more of?
- What are the areas of your life that are important to you?
- What is the meaning of my life?
- What is the quality of your life now? What type of life quality do you want?
- Self-analysis- Career Design Blueprint
Make a self-analysis, inventory of your strengths, top skills, talents, passions, interests and understand better who you really are. Focus on discovering what you know, what you have to offer and what you want to take with you to your future career.
Look into a previous article to get some inspiration How to successfully change your career
- Building my vision for the future
In this phase of the process, you have to be really honest with yourself. There are different reasons people are looking for a change; sometimes, they look for change without knowing what they want. There are many options available, and the sky’s the limit, but listen to your inner voice and answer the question: What do you really want in your life? Are you living the life you choose, or are you fulfilling someone else’s dream?
- Goals and personalised action plan
You can complete your life and career blueprint with all the clues, traits, skills, values and paths. The next step is to start achieving what you really want. Change requires time; some steps can be achieved quickly, others take a bit longer. They are not written in stones; you can adjust them during the process. But once you’ve set yourself a goal, you make yourself accountable for achieving this goal.
Check regularly the progress from your Career Blueprint and where you are with your goals. Regular assessment, constant validation of your goals and action plan are crucial in achieving the change.