we can
influence
40%
of our
happiness
with our
mindset
Only 10% of our happiness comes from circumstances according to scientific research.
Yeah, circumstances, the outside stuff: the job, the relationship, the money, the looks – that’s only 10% – meaning when everything is going great you are only about 10% happier.
But most of us expect the outside stuff to influence 40% or more.
Coaching supports individuals to build skills, set and achieve goals, deepen learning and increase satisfaction in life, which means the 40% of happiness is derived intentionally.
The International Coaching Federation describes coaching as “a thought provoking and creative partnership that inspires clients to maximize their personal and professional potential, often unlocking previously untapped sources of imagination, productivity and leadership.”
A recent study about executive coaching for a Fortune 500 firm by MetrixGlobal reported a 790% return on investment and intangible benefits for people and organizations.
Coach
For
Success
Coaching can be a rigorous learning process and it takes time to integrate that learning into everyday life.
I’ve found that my clients have the greatest success when they commit to an initial 6 months of coaching. After that, some clients choose to switch to a twice-monthly engagement, or for more maintenance support, simply once a month.
Why 6 months?
Most coaching engagements start off with momentum and enthusiasm, then the client hits a wall somewhere between 4 - 7 sessions into the engagement. Coaching feels difficult at times…some insights are hard to take, uncomfortable or annoying feelings arise. And the work isn’t as sexy as it was in the beginning. That’s the “slump” and the saddest thing that can happen is the client quits during this slump.
Working through the slump results in the insights that were gained becoming skills and this new learning is successfully integrated into everyday life.
So is it Therapy?
While coaching can be therapeutic it is not therapy. Here are a few of the distinctions:
The coach holds the client as naturally creative, resourceful and whole. Therapy is often focused on a diagnoses/disease for the therapist to ‘fix’.
Coaching is about the present and future: What do you want? What’s stopping you? Therapy is often focused on the past and “Why?”.
Many of my clients have worked with therapists and now want to take their insights and learn to apply them to achieving their goals. Some folks work with a therapist at the same time as working with a coach. This combination is not required but can often compliment the work that the individual is doing in their self-growth journey.
My clients and I focus on turning their learning into action and getting results in their lives.
For more details about the differences between coaching and therapy, check out my article 5 Reasons To Hire A Coach
