Life coaching is a fulfilling job role, offering people the opportunity to help and empower people to live the life that they want… With that in mind, this guide explores how to become a life coach – and what to consider before you do.
With life coaches in demand, more people are considering how to make a living from their love of helping others.
Life coaching focuses on helping people discover what they would like to accomplish in their life, remove any obstacles they might face whilst achieving those objectives and also make a goal plan.
Unlike therapists, life coaches tackle future outcomes and actionable strategies, not previous trauma or mental health issues.
Life coaches offer advice on career changes, relationship improvement, building one’s confidence and dealing with stress.
The coaching sessions mostly involve listening actively, asking sharp questions, and making a different plan tailored for clients.
Successful coaches create an atmosphere of support and yet provide clients the accountability they need in order to make progress.
You can follow this guide to run through the many ins and outs of becoming a life coach in the UK to ascertain whether it’s for you, and if it is, we advise you to read on!
Life coaching requires a combination of interpersonal skills and practical expertise. Aspiring life coaches may find the following abilities useful to succeed:
In other words, great soft skills are crucial… Find out here – What are soft skills? – if you’re not sure.
Building these skills lays a strong foundation for a successful coaching career. In the next section we’ll look at ‘hard skills’, qualifications.
In the UK, life coaching is not a regulated profession, meaning no specific qualifications are legally required.
However, obtaining certifications from recognised organisations can significantly enhance your credibility and attract clients.
Respected certification bodies for life coaching include:
Training courses offered by these organisations provide a structured learning environment, covering coaching techniques, ethics, and business practices.
Certification also ensures you meet high standards of professionalism, which reassures clients of your competence.
While it will be different for everyone, a typical journey to becoming a life coach can look something like this:
First, learn what life coaching really means. Listen to practising coaches, go to workshops and read books and articles on these coaching methodologies.
It makes it easy for you to check if the profession you want to pursue is a good fit for your knowledge and skill.
There are many successful life coaches who focus on only one area of life (career coaching, wellness coaching, relationship coaching, and more). Your niche helps you know who you’re targeting and what they need.
If you aren’t going to enroll in a reputable life coaching course, you’re not going to understand the role that values play in pursuing success.
The usual content of these programmes is foundational skills, practical exercises and strategies to deal with clients.
Courses in the UK can be from short workshops to comprehensive diplomas according to your career goals.
Practice is essential to build confidence and refine your coaching techniques.
Offer free or low-cost sessions to friends, family, or volunteer clients to gain real-world experience. Request feedback to improve your approach and develop your unique coaching style.
Alternatively, you could go fully down the fitness route and consider becoming a personal trainer. Find out how to write a personal trainer CV here.
Decide whether you want to work independently or join an existing coaching practice. Setting up your own business involves:
Promoting your services is crucial to building a client base.
Use social media platforms, networking events, and testimonials to raise awareness of your coaching business.
Consistent branding and a clear message about your niche will help you stand out in a competitive market.
The coaching industry evolves continually, so staying updated on the latest techniques and trends is essential.
Attend workshops, webinars, and conferences to expand your knowledge and maintain your certification.
There are other ways of doing it too though! Check out the National Careers Service life coach page, which includes college and apprenticeship options.
Building on the above, successful life coaches differentiate themselves from others providing similar services.
To do this, we recommend:
Related to this, find out about being self-employed but working for an employer at the same time, an option that could work for you.
We also recommend considering insurance… Professional indemnity insurance protects you against potential claims from dissatisfied clients. It’s not legally required but is highly recommended for peace of mind.
A career in life coaching offers personal fulfilment and professional flexibility. Coaches have the opportunity to make a tangible impact on clients’ lives, helping them achieve their goals and overcome obstacles.
Life coaching also allows for flexibility in working hours and the freedom to work remotely, making it a great choice for those seeking a better work-life balance.
Additionally, the demand for life coaching continues to grow, providing opportunities for financial success.
While life coaching can be incredibly rewarding, it’s not without challenges. New coaches may struggle to find clients initially, and establishing a reputation in the industry requires time and effort.
Coaching also requires emotional resilience, as supporting clients through their struggles can be demanding.
It’s essential to maintain your own well-being to avoid burnout. Regular supervision or mentoring from experienced coaches can help navigate these challenges effectively.
Life coaching offers a fulfilling career path for those passionate about helping others.
By developing the right skills, gaining professional certification, and building a strong business foundation, you can establish yourself as a trusted coach in the UK.
With persistence and dedication, you’ll not only create a successful career but also make a lasting difference in the lives of your clients.
We hope you found this guide useful – for other informative articles, why not browse through our blog? Recent articles include guides on customer service interview questions and answers, as well as AI interviews – employers using it to assess job candidates!
In our How to become a… series we’ve also covered:
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