A Life Less Ordinary

Life Coaching is a relatively new phenomenon, but it’s also one of the most rapidly growing industries in the world.

It is a unique way of helping mould a person’s future through support, encouragement, empathy and challenge.

Whether someone has come to a halt in their life, or is just starting out, life coaching can help them discover the best way of taking charge of their future.

The field often attracts people who are interested in helping others, but turning passion into profession is the job of an increasing number of specialised training providers.

Linda Jordaan, from the Life Coaching Academy, said a good life coach would encourage clients to look at their future from a different angle.

"A good coach provides, and is responsible, for a safe, non judgmental environment for clients to flex their mental muscles and talk about the issues that given them cause for concern", Ms Jordaan said.

Working as a team, the coach and client systematically build a new framework for the client’s life – without prejudice and personal issues, normally offered by a close friend or family member.

The good news is the client will have all the necessary resources to deal with their life issues – it is the coach’s job to help them redevelop those skills and resources, enabling them to successfully tidy loose ends and confidentially tackle their challenges.

The Life Coaching Academy runs 10 courses a year on the Gold Coast, split into level one and level two.

Students completing Level two receive a Certificate IV in Coaching and Certificate IV in Business (Small Business Management).

"The course is offered with face-to-face tuition Friday through to Sunday", Ms Jordaan said.

This is followed by 13 lectures over 6 months.

Twelve Triads are also completed (three way coaching sessions) and students are assigned a personal mentor to help them on their journey.

"A business component is also studied, which helps students in setting up their own practice".

Ms Jordan said the market for this brand of life education consisted mostly of professionals looking to ad a new and exciting dimension to their own lives or to their business.

"Our market is generally the 25 to 55 age group and the profession often appeals to people working in teaching or counseling fields," she said.

FAST FACTS
The International Coach Federation is the largest non profit professional association of personal and business coaches with 8965 members and over 132 chapters in 34 countries.
The length of a coaching partnership varies depending on the individuals needs. Certain types of focused coaching are capable of achieving results in three to six months, however, people often find it beneficial to work with a coach for longer periods.
There are many reasons why someone might choose to work with a coach. These include a need for course direction in work or personal life that is often triggered by a setback, a lack of clarity or ability to set goals and a desire to accelerate goal achievement.
Originally coaching attracted predominantly female professionals, but it is now proving more popular with men in business.

We are also seeing more students being sponsored by large corporate companies. Coaching has become well respected in the business environment for delivering great results and increasing productivity.

It is in the sector that Ms Jordaan sees the most potential. "We offer coaching in the workplace and tailor course content to suit companies "specific needs" she said.

"There is a huge growth in this market" The Life Coaching Academy’s next Gold Coast course will run September 23 – 25 and November 25 – 27 2005.

Back to Latest Press Releases  |  Back to Press Release Archive