The Counterintuitive Advice to Jumpstarting a Career as a Successful Life Coach

New beginnings can be nerve-wracking. But when you think about starting a life coaching career, it goes beyond just a professional decision.

It becomes personal. Your own life is put on the spot.

After all, you must know something in order to teach it. And if the subject is life, well…

Shouldn’t your own life be the proof that you know enough about it before teaching others?

It’s no surprise that when most people think about helping people as a life coach, their inner critic starts whispering things like:

• “You can’t do that.”
• “You aren’t rich.”
• “You aren’t famous or successful.”
• “You don’t have a perfect relationship.”
• “You don’t have a lifestyle you really enjoy…”
• “How can you think about teaching other people to build their ideal lives if you aren’t doing it yourself? What a hypocrite!”

It’s perfectly normal to have these types of thoughts as you lean into the idea of becoming a coach.

One of the reasons why these thoughts are so common is because many of us have preconceived notions of what (or who) a life coach is supposed to be.

We imagine that all life coaches lead perfect lives,  drawing in huge crowds on stage, delivering flawless talks, dressing in designer clothes, living in beautiful homes, driving luxury cars and marrying perfect spouses. After all, if they’re qualified to teach others how to create extraordinary lives, they must have it all, right?

Wrong. In fact, some of the most successful coaches I know are the first to admit that they’re lives are far from perfect.

You don’t have to live a perfect life to be a life coach and make a profound, meaningful impact on the lives of others

To help you understand why, I’ve answered some of the most common questions I get from people who are thinking about becoming a life coach, but afraid that they don’t have what it takes…

“Are the principles of success invalid or useless if I haven’t fully used them myself?”

Think of it this way…

If an architect hasn’t designed his own dream home yet, but he’s good at designing houses and he knows it, is he going to quit?

Or will he take the knowledge he has, which he KNOWS is useful and effective, and use it to help other people to create the homes of their dreams?

The same is true for life coaches. In fact, coaches who are authentic and honest about the services they’re able to provide their clients – as well as those they are not – can make an even greater impact on the lives of the people they teach.

An authentic coach is going to gain their clients’ trust more easily and build stronger (and longer) relationships with the people they serve.

“I’m not happy all the time, so that automatically disqualifies me from coaching others, right?”

Absolutely not!

Most life coaches aren’t happy all the time because, just like you and me, they’re human.

What makes a great coach is someone who recognizes that life always has its ups and downs and has personal experience navigating life’s challenges. Personal development and transformation is all about growth.

As a coach, it’s your job to help your clients stay on the green growing edge of becoming – knowing that each one of us is far more powerful and contains more potential than we realize.

When you approach your own coaching business from a growth mindset, your clients will feel a deeper connection, knowing that you’re both growing together.

“Did anyone ever become successful by waiting until they were perfect?”

If you wait for perfection, you’ll always be in a state of waiting. Because again, transformation is about continuous growth. It’s about celebrating your wins, gaining the confidence to strive for more and always aiming to exceed your best.

With a growth mindset, perfection doesn’t exist. Progress, not perfection, is the goal.

Successful people don’t wait until they become successful to start creating success. They become successful by taking action.

They start from where they are, and improve along the way. They also understand that there’s never a perfect time to start something new. Sure, the idea of jumping right into a new venture might seem scary at first, but it’s by facing our fears that we actually learn the most.

“But how can I teach others to become successful if I don’t know how myself?”

Again, you don’t have to already be a success to teach others how to become successful. Some of the most impactful coaches out there are the ones who are committed to their own personal development and growth.

There’s something truly remarkable about a coach who can grow and learn along with their clients. Some of the most impactful coaches out there are the ones who are transparent about their own personal development and growth.

Coaches who are learning as they teach success principles are incredibly compassionate towards their clients because they can relate to them more easily and they’re passionate about what they do because it’s personal.

There are several key components to becoming a successful, difference-making life coach, and being perfect is not one of them. I know this from personal experience…

I’ve been exactly where you may be right now.

I’ve been afraid, unsure of myself and I’ve doubted whether or not I would succeed as a life coach.

But one thing I never doubted – not for one single second – was whether or not I wanted to answer my calling to help others create lives they absolutely love.

Are You Ready to Answer the Call?

If you also feel called to help others, and you think life coaching might be for you, I encourage you to move past your fears and comfort zone, and take action now. 

Think about all the people that you could be impacting, and how much they need your help.

Sure, it will be scary. But just because you are the coach, doesn’t mean you have to go at it alone.

Yes, even coaches have coaches!

Remember that as a coach, your growth will also impact your ability to serve. It’s great to have a coach or other support systems to impulse you in your career. So I’m inviting you to sign up for a free strategy session with one of our highly-trained team members to find out if becoming a life coach is right for you.

And as a fun bonus, in case you were wondering about how ridiculous the quest for perfection really is, it’s what makes the biting satire from comedian and actual life coach, JP Sears, so funny. If you’ve not yet seen, How to Be a Life Coach – Ultra Spiritual Life Episode 36, take a look and you’ll see just how deep these preconceived notions of what a life coach is and does go.