HOW I DECIDED TO BECOME A LIFE COACH
Life and career changing decisions

From a young age, I’ve always known that I wanted to help people in some way. I remember graduating high school and a conversation I had with my grandfather about what to do next. At that time I had no idea what to do with the rest of my life. The only thing I knew is I wanted to be of service to people. He suggested becoming a nurse. The only problem was that I didn't like blood. He then suggested becoming a secretary and I did that for one year before dropping out. I found the accountancy part very boring and numbers were never my strong suit.
Fashion I found interesting as well and I got accepted into an art and fashion college. I merely wanted to make pretty clothes and they had me pick up leaves in autumn to create a color board. I know now how important it is to match colors but at the time it was too technical for me.
Another year had passed and I still didn’t know what I wanted to do, so I started working. I had many different jobs from cleaner to airport security in the following years. All were wonderful experiences and helped mold me into the person I am today. Now I finally know what I want to do with the rest of my life and I’ve never been happier. Come on this journey of self-discovery with me and learn how I decided to become a Life Coach.
What do I wish I knew 20 years ago?
I have no regrets…..well maybe one, but I’ve learned to accept them and learned from them. Now that I’ve reached this point in my life I wish there was someone like me or one of the other coaches back then to help guide me through a very uncertain and confusing time. The environment I grew up in was very encouraging but not in the dream big area. I was taught to “follow the herd” and conform to what society dictated. I did that mostly by going to college and working but it never felt right. Plug to check out my other blog on How To Escape The Heard.
However, I was not emotionally or mentally ready for what I am doing now. I did not have enough life experience. The main reasons for this determination didn’t exist yet. You see, I was brought up pretty sheltered yet still exposed to other cultures, nationalities, and ways of life. It was a happy childhood with some not-so-happy moments but I was very much loved and cared for by my grandparents who raised me. To this day I am convinced this attributed to me being a positive, happy, and smiley person …….95% of the time.
How I decided to become a Life Coach.
#1
Find your inspiration
My inspiration came to me during a Mind Power training from Robin Banks. He was teaching a method on how to deal with negative thoughts. Shamelessly plugging my other blog How To Approach Negative Thoughts. At that time I was dealing with this one relentless thought that would pop up and scare me every time I thought about my future. I won’t bore you with the details but I was not amused and didn't know how to make it go away or just be quiet. Until Robin taught me how. That was a life-changing moment for me and in an instant, I felt this overwhelming urge to share this with the world. Challenge accepted! I will become a Life Coach and share this gem with those who need it. And like that the decision was made.
Your inspiration might come differently. You could be on a walk, meditating, or even in the middle of a conversation when that divine revelation finds you. Think about what you love doing and keep your eyes, ears, and mind open. It can come when you least expect it to.
#2
Take action immediately
Once you’ve been inspired and decided on what it is that you want to do, take action. Don’t wait! Write it down, break it down into bite-sized chunks and work on it EVERY DAY. Don’t overthink it and GO! Procrastination will creep up on you and before you know it 6 months have passed leaving you nowhere near taking the starting point.
I immediately started doing my research about the coaching business and how to become one. I wrote down everything I needed to do and created a vision board. The next week I found a course and signed up. I now have a certificate in Life Coaching and in October I start the diploma follow-up course. I also signed up for an Essential Counseling Skills course in college to get a deeper understanding of human behavior. These are the first steps and I have many more planned. I want to ensure I have the best foundation to provide top-tier coaching to my future clients. I won’t settle for anything less.
#3
Learn to manage your fear
When you feel overwhelmed, take some time off and don’t think about it for a day or even a week. It’s okay if you need to step back for a while. I did it too and came back more driven and ready to get to it.
On the other hand, don’t avoid it. Meet it head-on. Don’t engage with it and recognize the intention behind it. See it in a positive light and get excited about it. When you convert it into something beneficial to you, it loses its power and crippling effect enabling you to move forward more empowered and confident.
It’s okay to admit that you’re scared. When I focus on that unnerving feeling in my stomach I want to go hide under the covers. That feeling that asks me from time to time if I’m sure I can do this. Most of the time it’s a resounding YES! Other times, it’s still a resounding YES! During this journey, I have learned that fear is my friend and wants to keep me safe from harm. That is why it’s asking and making sure I am ready for the good and the bad that is to come because it can see the determination and resolve I have. This is when I reply "there is no other option for me. I have found my calling."
#4
Celebrate
It’s also important to celebrate the wins. Every little tick behind a task that propels you forward and moves you closer to your goal is a win. You should be proud of yourself for accomplishing that. Looking at the big picture can cause you to feel stressed, but when adding up all the little steps you took you’ll realize that you’ve come a long way.
I did a little dance when I finally registered my business name and when I got my business bank account. Even though I’m still far from reaching my goal, these were major milestones for me. It took me months to get this done. Various reasons made me put these off. Fear was one of them. Doing this would make it real. When the moment arrived there was a feeling of elation and relief. It was really real now. There was no turning back from this point onward.
Conclusion
Remember that the road ahead is going to be bumpy but are you ready and willing to get on that ride? You can decide to stay in your comfort zone or to utilize the gift that was sent to you. It doesn’t have to be big or life-changing. Even if it’s deciding to move up the corporate ladder, move houses, or even countries. What’s important is that you make a plan and take the necessary steps to get to where you want to be.
Life Beyond Boundaries
