{"id":5135,"date":"2024-06-29T08:40:19","date_gmt":"2024-06-29T08:40:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kartra.com\/blog\/\/"},"modified":"2024-12-01T18:17:22","modified_gmt":"2024-12-01T18:17:22","slug":"how-to-become-a-life-coach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kartra.com\/blog\/how-to-become-a-life-coach\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Become a Life Coach: What You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Life coaching is an appealing career path for many reasons. Not only is it rewarding to help clients with personal growth, but running a coaching practice online frees you up to enjoy a more flexible lifestyle!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kartra\u2019s platform is home to many online coaching businesses, and we\u2019re inspired by all the creative ways these entrepreneurs monetize their skills and effect change. We\u2019re confident you can do the same! In this guide, you\u2019ll learn about the qualifications for life coaching<\/a> as well as the key steps for becoming a life coach<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What does a life coach do?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A life coach helps clients achieve their personal or professional goals by offering guidance, accountability, motivation, and mentorship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike a licensed therapist or nutritionist, for example, who address specific difficulties or reach diagnoses, a life coach aids with personal development to help clients reach their full potential in different areas of their lives. Examples of life coaching services include relationship coaching, wellness coaching, and career coaching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Qualifications for Becoming a Life Coach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAm I qualified to be a life coach?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the central question for many people looking into starting their own business. And it\u2019s a question only you can answer \u2014 but we\u2019ve got some tips to help you think through it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your Skills (This Matters the Most!)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, your qualification to be a life coach comes down to your ability to get clients the results they want. Certifications, degrees, and years of experience will never matter as much as what you can do in the lives of your clients!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is partially because of the freedom within the coaching industry (more on this later), but it\u2019s mostly because coaching is inherently results-driven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People just want to know that you can help take them from Point A to Point B. If you are confident that you have the skills to improve people\u2019s lives in a specific way, then there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t become a successful life coach!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your Background and Experience<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your unique story plays an important role in your value as a life coach. Think about the experiences that have brought you to where you are in your life and how those experiences position you to serve and guide others. Potential clients will want to know how your insight has shaped your own life before they entrust you with theirs!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people find that their current or past career lends itself naturally to life coaching. Teachers, for example, have a particularly relevant skill set that includes leadership, active listening, and of course, instructing. They know how people learn and are used to motivating them toward a particular goal. Or, perhaps your career simply gives you the expert knowledge that you need to coach on a particular subject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Relevant college degrees and personal achievements are other types of credentials that instill confidence in your abilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spend time analyzing what your background brings to the table \u2014 and don\u2019t undersell yourself!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Coach and Kartra user Audrey Rose builds credibility by listing her certifications, relevant life experiences, and professional background on this About page for her coaching program The SoulShine Creative<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Becoming a Certified Life Coach<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Because the coaching industry is unregulated in the US, there aren\u2019t specific requirements for becoming a life coach \u2014 with the exception of certain niches such as health and mental health services. (Be sure to double-check whether your coaching niche would fall under any regulated categories.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means there are two main benefits of becoming a certified life coach:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Certification Adds to Brand Credibility<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Completing a life coach certification program is not necessary, but it may help potential clients see that your services are trustworthy. A certification, much like a college degree, represents a designated number of hours devoted to honing your skills and the validation of your skills by an organization. Just remember that a certification doesn\u2019t guarantee clients! A proven track record of success is the most critical way to build your business, and you\u2019ll still need to market yourself effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Certification Process Grows Your Coaching Skills<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

More importantly, a quality life coach training program equips you with further education and skills to better serve your clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re interested in a life coaching certification, choose an accredited program that makes sense for your business goals. While not an official governing body, the International Coaching Federation (ICF) is a global coaching association widely recognized as setting industry standards for coaches. ICF offers various stages of credentialing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n