Well, you gotta be living under a rock garden to not be hearing about all of the ways that AI is changing the way everyone (OK, not EVERYone) does stuff. I’ve even be hearing how some people (even some of my friends) have fired their therapists and coaches and instead grabbing their phone to get a convo going with ChatGPT… to help solve relationship arguments and look for advice on what their next life move should be. Technology is sure neat.
But what is fascinating is that last week I asked a new client how they found me… “Well, my wife asked AI who the best life coach was in Kelowna and your name was at the top of the list”.
OK, I’m not sure how AI works… I know it can be pretty smart but it can also be pretty dumb. For example, I tried this one… I typed into AI and asked, “How many E’s does the word ‘seventeen’ have in it”. It said 3. So yes, AI might be able to give you some stellar suggestions on how to end an argument or give you some choice life direction but it can’t do some 2nd grade basic spelling stuff.
But, apparently if you’re asking AI for a life coach in Kelowna you’ll find me.
Anyhoo… as I was saying… the WAY people find me is a mystery some of the time. About half of my clients come from doing an internet search (and the other half are referrals).
One question I get a lot is, “So, is this life coaching gig really rewarding?”.
And I would say that after doing this as my main-time gig for the past 6 years, after almost every session I am in awe that I GET to walk with people, ask questions, dig, and help people get clarity on who they are and what they want. And I get paid for doing something that I love? WTF.
One of the first things I tell every new client (which sometimes takes them by surprise) is, “I don’t give any advice”. This is clutch.
The reason is because I have a different set of values, upbringing, desires, owies etc. than anybody else. So just because I would do things a different way is irrelevant. This is also one of the hardest parts of coaching… to shut my mouth. Instead of TELLING a stuck client, “HEY, YOU SHOULD DO IT THIS WAY” I have to dig and help them figure out why they’re making the choices they are and help them get creative in finding new perspectives. New options. New hope. Getting UNstuck.
Last week I got some feedback from a client who I’ve been working with for just over 2 months. I asked how the coaching has affected them to which the reply was, “This coaching has changed my life”. Damn. This makes me so happy… and the really incredible thing is that I have given this client ZERO advice. Just listened. Just been present. Just asked some good questions. Just sat there in tears together… on Zoom.
It truly is a wild honour to be able to walk with people. I feel that deeply. To be trusted enough to have a client share things they never had the courage to share with anyone else before. To see their potential. To encourage them to let go of whatever is disturbing their peace. And to grab onto what gives them strength, clarity, confidence, and LIFE.
So ya, as a life coach I’m not a professional life-liver… I simply walk with people sometimes into very scary emotions or memories. But the freedom that is able to come when you’re brutally honest, open, and vulnerable can be a weight lifted. A life changed.
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