Is career coaching worth the money?
I was at a large family gathering once and a gentleman from the boomer generation was asking me about my work and what I ‘do’. So I explained it in the best way I could, being cognisant that there is a generational knowledge gap in terms of these newer careers. I was quite happy with my basic but accurate description of how I support women to get clear on the work that they are here to do so that they can reclaim their time, energy and passions.
His response was one of complete shock and bewilderment. He said with his head shaking from side to side “and people actually pay for this?”. He wasn’t trying to be rude or argumentative, he just could not comprehend it.
He could not comprehend in any way why you would need it, want it, or waste your money on it. He was completely perplexed and hasn’t asked me anything about it since :-)
In this case we can blame the boomer for just not getting it but there are also many of you who wonder if a life coach or career coach is really worth it. I used to wonder too. Especially if they are selling you a get rich quick scheme or promising a whole new life just like them!
Questions like:
Can I justify this?
Surely I should be able to do this myself?
Should I really have to hire someone to help me make decisions in my life, like what the hell is wrong with me?
You might be surprised to hear me say that in some cases it definitely is not worth it. Here are 2 examples where I say it's a hard no:
Firstly if you are struggling to meet your basic needs and pay your bills then no, investing in a coach is not right for you at this moment in time. Coaching requires a baseline level of psychological safety and if you are wondering when you are going to get evicted or if you can make the grocery money this week, absolutely not at this time. And be VERY wary of anyone who suggests that you will get your money back with an “abundant life” by putting yourself into debt. This is a major red flag.
The second clear reason where I would say no it's not worth it is if you have some ongoing issues that require a deeper level of support regarding trauma, unsafe relationships or severe anxiety and depression. Does this mean that you can't do coaching if you have any mental health issues? Of course not because most of us are just about keeping it together due to late stage capitalism and living in racist, colonial, genocidal, ecocidal paradigms. But my advice is if you are toying between therapy or coaching I would go with therapy first and consider coaching at a later stage. When things stabilise they can work beautifully side by side!
So where is it actually helpful and why would I commit money, time and energy to coaching?
We all seem to think that because we know the thing that we should be able to implement it. I know what I want so I just should be able to logically take the step. We are not short on information.
However what’s missing is:
Getting to know your own wants and needs
Divesting from the societal shoulds
Taking a different path away from your peers and family
Doing this while feeling vulnerable and full of fear
Doing it again
Falling off and coming back on it again
Being really seen for who you really are
Making decisions that are correct for you but may bring judgements from loved ones
The time to think and process all of this, to literally hear yourself think
It's always terrifying to start something new. But if you choose to go down a path that is not in line with what your family and friends think is a good idea then it will be really hard to do on your own. You need someone to create scheduled time where you can hear yourself, get clear on what you really want, make a plan for this and then support you as you go through the nervous system activations as you walk this path.
This is not easy which is why it's so hard to do on your own.
You will do it quicker with someone to support and guide you.
You will save time and energy not ping ponging back and forth in your brain by working with a supportive career or life coach.
You will begin to live a life and work in a career that is right up your alley.
If they are the right coach for you and work under an ethical framework they will always guide you back to your own path, not theirs and not a lifestyle they are selling on Instagram.
You get to access your needs, wants, desires for your work and life. Your life. And this my friends is priceless and is so worth it - even if it is not understood by your parents :-)
[Choosing the right coach for you is so important. Just because someone worked well for your friend doesn’t mean that they are automatically right for you. Most coaches will offer a free call to ask any questions before you invest so set up a few of those, trust your gut and get the support that you want and deserve.]
You can read more about my process here
