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No matter how many academic degrees you hold, you will probably agree that the greatest lessons you have learned were taught by life itself. The cumulative knowledge of a life lived to its fullest can be summed up as wisdom, something for which there is no degree. If you are a graduate of the school of hard knocks and wish you had done more to help others along the way, it is not too late.
Life coaching makes a perfect second career for adults who have experienced and navigated life’s twists, turns, pitfalls and zeniths. Your wisdom can be used to guide others along the way, steering them toward their goals and dreams and away from the perils of bad decisions and ill-advised choices.
Life coaching is diverse as life itself, covering every niche imaginable. Discovering your niche is as simple as performing a self-assessment to identify your strengths and expertise. What do you know, and who would benefit from your knowledge? Channel your energies to changing the lives of people who need help, and you will find your niche.
Who Makes a Good Life Coach?
Anyone with life experience can become an effective life coach if you market to a defined audience. Some examples of prime candidates include:
- Former business executives with a track record of success
- Retired military who served in wartime
- Retired school teachers and college professors
- Stay-at-home parents whose children have grown
- Former professional athletes
- Retired medical professionals
- Personal trainers and group exercise instructors
- Anyone who has learned and grown from life’s challenges
While it is possible for a young person in their 20s to be an effective life coach, slightly older adults who have broader life experience have a great deal to offer others seeking help in constructing a successful and happy life.
Where Do Life Coaches Coach?
Most life coaches work remotely, online and by phone, making life coaching a great career choice for adults who no longer wish to run the rat race. You can work as little or as much as you like, taking on one client at a time, or several. Working remotely means you do not have to confine yourself to a specific geographic area, freeing you to travel and visit family.
What’s more, life coaching can be lucrative, providing a great source of supplemental income. Depending on your niche, coaches make anywhere from $100 to $500 per session, holding two to four sessions per client per month. Of course that includes work done behind the scenes, like evaluation, planning, research, and record-keeping. Still, life coaching may be just the thing for you if you want a little extra money to check off the items on your bucket list.
Before You Hang Out Your Shingle
You may already be accomplished and have numerous credentials to validate you as a life coach. Nevertheless, getting a coaching certification is recommended. You will learn coaching techniques and discover ways to help people help themselves. You will also learn how to set up and manage your business. The added credential of Certified Lifestyle Coach will authenticate you as a true and trustworthy professional.
Resources
Certification is the first step to becoming a successful Lifestyle Coach. Begin with W.I.T.S. Certified Lifestyle Coach. Then, if you are not already certified, consider Personal Fitness Trainer, Older Adult Fitness Specialist or Youth Fitness certifications. Broadening your base of credentials correlates with expanding your career and making more money. As a Lifestyle Coach, you can have a significant impact on the lives of others, while building a solid reputation as a W.I.T.S. certified professional.