Even though life coaching is hot right now, it would be wise to read these top 10 professional life coaching myths before you jump on the bandwagon. Whether you are seeking to hire a life coach, or have a desire to become one, these top 10 professional life coaching myths should be required reading before you make your decision.

The Top Professional Life Coaching Myth

This one should be at the top of any top 10 list of life coaching myths: Al life coaches are basically the same. Like any professional group, there are myriad variations, and life coaching is no exceptions. In fact, because life coaching is unregulated, the variations from one coach to the next may be even greater than in other professional fields.

The Top 10 Professional Life Coaching Myths

Here are the rest of the list for the Top 10 Professional Life Coaching Myths:

1. Life coaching is merely another form of counseling. Coaching is about helping the healthy grow and reach their dreams. Counseling is more about treating dysfunction. Coaching is about the present and the future. Counseling is about the present and the past.
2. Coaching takes too much time. It’s a busy world and people often are pressed for time. People who have not yet experienced the power of coaching often think it takes too many sessions or too much time to see results. In fact, many people see results after just one session. There is also a wide range of coaching options that can fit anyone’s busy schedule.
3. Life coaches are for people with problems. Most people with problems could benefit from therapy, but people who want to expand their horizons and reach their goals and dreams will benefit from life coaching.
4. Life coaches are like friends. Though you can also talk about ideas, goals, and dreams with your friends, life coaches are not your friends. Your coach will inspire you, challenge you, and hold you accountable. Do your friends do that?
5. No list of top 10 professional life coaching myths would be complete without this one – life coaches will tell you what to do. Coaches don’t offer much advice and they don’t provide you with a detailed list of instructions on how to reach your goals. Coaches help identify goals, assist with changing behavior, and work with you to help create your own road map to your dreams and goals.
6. Life coaches are expensive. Most life coaches charge somewhere between $100-250 per session. Many coaches offer discount packages for multiple sessions. If you think spending $500 or $1000 to improve your life is a major rip-off, than you may need to rethink what you want out of life. So, while coaching isn’t cheap, the potential return on your investment makes coaching a great value.
7. Life coaches are perfect human beings. Ok – do you know a perfect human being? Coaches are just like the rest of us – they are great at some things, good at others, fair at much of life, and poor at a few things. However, they have usually made a move to improve their lives, and they possess the knowledge and skills to help you improve yours.
8. The coach/client relationship builds dependence. This one doesn’t appear on too many top 10 professional life coaching myths lists, but some people are afraid that if they begin to see a coach, they made need to keep going (and spending money) for a very long time. However, when clients learn new habits through coaching and then integrate them into their lives, they can usually end the relationship with their life coach.
9. Life coaches work in a professional regulated industry. A coach is not regulated like an attorney, a doctor, or an accountant. The coaching industry is mostly unregulated, though changes may be on the horizon as the industry grows. However, the unregulated environment means you have to be extremely diligent when selecting a life coach. Do your homework, find reviews and testimonials, and see if they offer one free session so you can get a good feel for the coaching style and expertise.
10. You already know the tenth myth on our list of top 10 professional life coaching myths, but it’s worth repeating. All life coaches are basically the same. This one is almost laughable – not all coaches have the same amount of experience, training, or dedication to their clients. Not all have the same skills or knowledge; not all take their profession as seriously as they should.

Now you know the top 10 professional life coaching myths. You are now ready to select your life coach or your life coach training program wisely!

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Fred Philips
Business Coach
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