If you are considering to become a Life Coach and you are beginning your journey to move your first step in this direction, we encourage you to read our article and explore our website, in order to gather information and tips to choose wisely.
Maybe you have a desire for helping people overcoming the obstacles you have worked so hard to overcome. Or perhaps you have a passion for making things happen in life, or you’d like to give meaning to what you do. Maybe you want to live a more flexible lifestyle and you want to be in charge of your own business. Whatever pulls you to the coaching profession, make sure you take your time to clarify it. You can always … work with a coach to uncover it! We actually encourage those who are willing to embark in some coach training, to be the first to test the amazing benefits of coaching.
It is important that you reflect on what drives you to become a coach because this has an important impact on what type of training you will select. Our suggestion is to spend some time determining what is important to you.
What is it that brings you to coaching? What do you expect to get out of it?
What type of coach do you want to be?
What niches are you interested in?
When you decide to become a coach and you are ready to enroll in a Coach Training Program, make sure you choose an program that is aligned with and accredited by the International Coach Federation (ICF).
International Coaching Federation is the largest leading global organization dedicated to advancing the coaching profession by setting high standards, providing independent certification and building a worldwide network of trained coaching professionals.
ICF developed the coaching Core Competencies as the gold standard of coaching, plus a strong Code of Ethics that protects both coaches and clients. It offers the most globally recognized, independent credentialing program for coach practitioners.
All training programs are different. What do you need to consider to choose wisely and to accordingly to your needs and expectations?
Remember that length of the program, teaching mode, configuration of the classes, can all be different in the programs.
Be aware of what is important to you in your training, and prioritize those factors to help you decide which program might best fit into your schedule and learning mode.
For instance, does the program offer one to one training? Or training in groups?
About the Class Configuration: consider how the classes will be held.
– number of students in each class
– how many trainers per student
– how the class is presented: lecture? experiential?
– what technology you will need to access classes and eventually recordings
– what materials and books are needed
About Timing and Length: look into timing factors to see how it fits in your schedule.
How are the classes given:
– several full days in a row, once a month, once a week, whenever the student wants?
– how long is each class: a full day, 1 hour, etc.?
– how long does it take to graduate? Some ACTPs might take 6 months, others a full 2 or 3 years.
About Training Mode, you can have:– online training via web meetings
– the trainer and student are both present during the training, with frequent give and take
– or training can be recorded
You might have
– in person and real time training
– or you can have a blend of virtual and in-person training.
And again about Exposure/Diversity: find out how the program addresses diversity, culture, different approaches to life and learning… if the program is a global one, active in different countries around the world.
Last but not least, consider the Cost:Make sure you choose the best program that fits into your budget:
– explore what financing options are available
– does the program offer tuition assistance
Feel free to ask! Always take your time to explore because you are investing in your Self, in your activity, in your future and especially your are creating the premises to build your own profession.
Stay tuned for more articles and tips on this topic. Our Academy Trainers are always available to book a free chat where they can answer all your questions on the topic.
