7 Signs It’s Time to Hire a Life Coach
I have a confession to make: I’ve been coaching for four years now, and until recently, I couldn't say "life coach" without using air quotes. And it’s my chosen profession!
I get it - life coaching can sound so... "woo-woo." Or like a luxury reserved for the Gwyneth Paltrows of the world. Or worse, like an intervention for those who are still living in their parents’ basements.
But here’s the truth I’ve come to embrace: life coaching is practical. It’s transformative. And it’s not about being fancy; it’s about getting unstuck, clarifying what really matters, and moving forward in ways that make a tangible difference.
What’s more – it’s for everyday, ordinary people, people just like you. Still skeptical? That’s okay. I used to be, too. So let’s dive into seven common reasons regular people turn to coaching—and why you might find it helpful, too.
1. You’re Feeling Stuck or Uncertain About Your Next Steps
When you’re unclear about your direction—whether in your career, relationships, or personal growth—it can feel overwhelming. A life coach helps you explore your options, gain clarity, and take meaningful action. That’s been Patty’s experience:
“I was feeling stuck - it was hard to look up and look forward because of the busyness in my life and the challenges in my work. I needed a path and a guide if things were going to change.
This process gave me precious time to clarify my needs and values and help me remember my gifts and strengths. It brought back to life parts of me that I’d forgotten. Having a community and a coach for support made all the difference.
Now, I have priorities that keep me grounded, a process to move forward on what matters to me, and most importantly: a way to reset when I start feeling stuck again.”
2. You Want to Create More Balance in Your Life
Juggling work, family, and other responsibilities can lead to burnout and stress. A life coach helps you prioritize your roles, set boundaries, and design a life that’s more balanced and aligned with your true desires. Leigh discovered this:
“I was overwhelmed by all the roles I was playing in life. I’d become the person that everyone called on, and I was on the verge of burnout.
I clarified my priorities, but I also recognized my pattern of saying “yes” to others too often, usually at the expense of my own needs. Now I’m making braver choices about who and what to prioritize. I’ve taken a deep look at who I am, what I value, and how I’m living. I’ve even found direction for the next phase of my life and am focusing on reading, studying, and writing about what matters most to me.”
3. You’re Struggling with Confidence or Self-Doubt
If you’re second-guessing yourself or constantly comparing yourself to others, a coach can help you reconnect with your strengths, build your self-esteem, and push through limiting beliefs to embrace your potential. Beverly experienced an incredible transformation:
“It’s hard to admit, but I was questioning my worth and wanted to love myself more. I desperately wanted to feel like I was enough. My life was ‘fine,’ but I felt like there was something better for me.
I’d tried to figure it out on my own with self-help books, devotionals, podcasts, and apps, but it wasn’t enough. I was longing to be accompanied, and I knew I needed support and accountability from others.
I found my true self-worth. I’ve recognized my strengths, needs, and values, and I’m more intentional in my choices. I’m finding more peace, breaking out of old patterns, and becoming the strong role model I want to be for my two sons.”
4. You Want to Reach a Big Goal, But Need Guidance and Accountability
Big goals require consistent action and support. A coach offers accountability, helping you break down your big ambitions into manageable steps and stay motivated to follow through. Jenn’s story illustrates this:
“I wanted ‘more’ in life, but I wasn’t sure what the ‘more’ was. Professionally, I wanted to be a better, more confident leader.
Through coaching, I found boldness and courage to take ownership of a major project at work and I learned a step-by-step process to bring it to life. I’ve gone from feeling tentative to confident. Life is more hopeful and exciting!”
5. You Need Support in Making a Major Life Transition
Whether you’re changing careers, navigating a relationship shift, or facing a personal loss, major transitions can be challenging. A coach supports you through these changes with strategies for adapting, overcoming obstacles, and creating a fulfilling future. Coaching was the key that helped Jeannette, a high-achieving professional woman, to unlock harmony as her life evolved:
“For most of my adult life, work was my main – and often only – priority. But since my marriage, a lot has shifted. I needed a guided process to help me re-clarify my values and priorities, so that I could create a plan for my next steps.
I’ve found focus and clarity about what’s matters most, changing how I show up in all facets of my life. Even as I face new challenges, like caregiving for family members, I continue to rely on coaching to care for myself as I care for others.”
6. You Feel Overwhelmed and at Risk for Burn Out
Life can feel chaotic, especially when your priorities are unclear. A coach helps you step back, gain perspective, and develop tools to manage stress, make decisions, and create clarity in the midst of uncertainty. Donna has been a caregiver for most of her life - for her 4 children, for her parents, and still today for her 30-year old autistic son. But there’s one person Donna wasn’t caring for:
“I felt like the missing piece of my life was myself. The stress and exhaustion was impacting everything – I’d even started forgetting important commitments at work.
I’ve shifted from feeling out of control to feeling more focused and better able to run my life instead of letting life run me.
I’m learning to prioritize myself and acknowledge that I need to be cared for, too. I’m learning to say ‘no.’ It’s tough but freeing, and I like having the space to be choosy and focus on what fulfills me.”
7. You Want to Live with More Purpose and Fulfillment
If you feel disconnected from your true purpose or are living on autopilot, a coach can help you identify your values, passions, and goals to create a more intentional life that’s deeply fulfilling. Maria came to coaching hungry for a deeper sense of purpose and a stronger connection to her true self:
“I felt like I was in perpetual ‘transition mode,’ trying to figure out my life and purpose. My day-to-day existence alternated between the overwhelm of being a single mom of two girls while running my own small business, and a nagging sense of being lost – drifting with a lack of direction.
I realized that I needed better balance in my life and more confidence in my work. Coaching helped me leverage the freedom I already had to create meaningful time for others and myself. In my business, I’ve recognized that I’m using my gifts well and creating success by using my strengths.
By looking more deeply at my real self and my life experiences, I’m letting go of past resentments and fears and finding joy and opportunities, even parts of my past I wouldn’t have chosen. I’ve realized that my life doesn’t look like everyone else’s – and that’s okay. I’m making intentional choices that are right for me and good for my family, and I know I’m on the right track.”
So, Is Life Coaching for You?
I hope these very real stories of “average, everyday women” have helped you see that life coaching isn’t about being “fancy” or “woo-woo.” It’s about gaining clarity, aligning with your values, and taking action to create a life that feels full and authentic.
Are you a Patty, a Beverly, or a Maria? If one of these signs or stories resonated with you, I’d love to hear about it! Hit “reply” and tell me which one struck a chord.
And, if you’re beginning to think it might be time for you to work with a life coach, I encourage you to take the next step and seek out a coaching professional who can help guide you. Whether it’s me or someone else, what’s most important is that you find someone who feels like the right fit for you and can support you in achieving your goals.
If you want one more “do-it-yourself” starting step, download my free Needs & Values Assessment here. It’s a simple yet powerful tool that will give you perspective if you’re facing any of the challenges I’ve named here. It’s a great way to get clear on what you need—and what’s next.
Because sometimes, the next step is closer than you think.
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