A writer struggles to find her personality, her voice. Another writer tries to keep real life and the writing life separated. A freelancer has a scathingly brilliant idea, but needs a map around obstacles to his transition from a corporate treadmill. Hiring a life coach, a kind of mentor, is a hot option for writers, gaining momentum and spreading from major metros – New York, LA, Chicago - to small cities and towns.
Why a Writer Hires a Life Coach
Laurie Johnson, professional life coach, says, in a 2008 interview, the demand for services is growing. "It’s fantastic to help women thrive," explains Johnson, whose Coastal Mississippi-based coaching business, focuses on women’s issues, though she works with men, too.
She says lots of women in transition consider freelance writing among their options. "I reach out to people doing ok," says Johnson. "In good health - everything fine, but that thriving element not quite there."
All writers can identify with seeking a brighter sparkle in life or career. It’s an isolating business needing periodic jumpstarts. Could one be doing something more challenging? Do most writers find their "special purpose" an eyelash out of reach?
Life coaching creates positive change and happy outcomes. Coaches don’t treat patients, they map out issues and paths with clients, or customers, say practitioners like Kathleen McGraw, whose business, Kathleen McGraw, LCSW & Associates, is near New Orleans, Louisiana. McGraw, with a masters in social work, and another in public health said, "For most, coaching is short-term, maybe three months or so, because there's a specific issue or goal. We define it, isolate it, work through. Then they say ‘ok great, got it,’" says McGraw.
A Life Coach Is Not a Therapist
Mental health therapists are health care pros working to help patients heal. Life coaches, not licensed or regulated, refer patients to health professionals.
Life coaches use honed listening skills, says Johnson, and help clients talk through specific, progress-oriented issues or plans. It’s a journey, not a healing. The issues are varied: Entrepreneurial freelance plans, career change to editorial or corporate writing, or away form those, too. Second career in retirement. Finding a personal voice or specialty to target writing.
For physical or mental health concerns needing intervention, a doctor or therapist is the right choice. A strong and healthy writer, excited by changes ahead and seeking an effective pathway, might be ready to put a coach in her corner. Coaching is most often done in a distance setting via online tutorials, email and phone consultations, even video online. Johnson’s sessions, for example, are conducted by telephone.
How Does Coaching Work?
It's like a planning process at a business, or committee meetings where people get together, throw ideas onto the table. No idea is silly, no suggestion without merit. Attitudes are non-judgmental. Criticism is verboten. It's brainstorming with a facilitator who doesn’t direct or control. The idea is to coalesce random ideas and talk them through until the coach and client customize an approach, bringing out solutions neither realised were there.
A good coach believes each person has natural creativity, resourcefulness. She draws that out to support do-able dreams. A bit like a best friend with enhancements? Johnson thinks the kind of support that used to come from friends and family has weakened. Life speeds up; families separate geographically. Technology changes careers so quickly that adjusting goals can be intimidating. With a nod to Oprah for the phrase, it really is about living your best writing life, best life overall, according to Johnson.
Jille Bartolome, has coached for 11 years. She's master certified, the highest level of practice, and teaches coaching, as well,
She says, "People..notice new peacefulness. A different state of mind. New success. We move people past simple hope to an action plan. We help them take responsibility and accountability for where they want be, personally."
And what writer hasn't struggled with those concepts?
Choosing to hire a life or career coach demonstrates good mental health, Johnson thinks. "Allocating time and a bit of budget for your own needs has a big payback," she points out. Bartolome puts it like this: "We help you approach your precipice, and stand there with you. If you say, ‘I really want to jump’, we'll push you. If you say, ‘I'm really not sure, we'll help you figure out if that is the right cliff. We’ll help until you’re sure. We'll push you through fear, but not against your will. You’ll scream ‘thanks’ as you fly away."
