What Is Breakthrough Coaching? Definition & Top FAQs
Is there a specific area of your life where you want to experience a breakthrough? Working with a coach can be the catalyst for this transformation. In this article, we walk you through what breakthrough coaching is and how you can use it to unlock your full potential and achieve meaningful growth.
What Is Breakthrough Coaching?
Breakthrough coaching is a dynamic approach to self-improvement. It focuses on helping individuals overcome barriers and experience significant personal or professional growth. It involves identifying limiting beliefs and fears, addressing helpful and harmful behaviors, and facilitating a “breakthrough” from these constraints.
A breakthrough coach can help in all aspects of life—from career and relationships to health and personal development. This type of coaching helps individuals redefine their goals and navigate through obstacles that may stand in the way of achieving them.
A key aspect of breakthrough life coaching is its focus on tangible outcomes. Coaches work with clients to create clear, actionable plans, providing the support and accountability to ensure these plans come to fruition. This process often starts with deep introspection. Clients are challenged to reflect on what they want in life. Then, the coach helps facilitate a space to maximize growth and possibility.
In many ways, breakthrough coaching shares similarities with transformation coaching. Both of these coaching niches aim to facilitate profound change in individuals. Both help clients to move from their current state to a more desirable one. One difference is that transformation coaching often takes a broader approach to overhauling one’s outlook on life. Breakthrough coaching may allow for a more hyper-focused experience as client’s try to level up in certain areas.
What Does a Breakthrough Coach Do?
What does a breakthrough coach actually do? Typically, they help facilitate purposeful change in one's personal life or career-related pursuits—and they do it with some common approaches. Here's a closer look at what a breakthrough coach does:
Initial Assessment/Reflection: A coach begins by conducting an initial assessment of the client's situation. This involves reflecting on the client's current state, identifying limiting beliefs, fears, and behaviors, and understanding what they wish to achieve.
Goal Setting/Planning: Once the initial assessment is complete, the coach works with the client to set clear, attainable goals. They then develop a strategic plan to achieve these goals.
Consistent Check-ins: Regular check-ins form a crucial part of breakthrough coaching. These sessions allow the coach to monitor the client's progress and provide necessary encouragement or guidance for emerging challenges.
Strategic Pivoting/Readjusting: Sometimes, circumstances change or initial plans don't yield the expected results. In such instances, the coach help clients pivot strategically, making necessary adjustments to their plan while keeping their ultimate goals in sight.
Accountability: A breakthrough coach also acts as an accountability partner, ensuring the client stays committed to their action plan. This can significantly increase the likelihood of achieving desired outcomes.
Education/Resources/Exercises: Depending on their needs and goals, clients receive personalized educational resources and exercises to facilitate their growth journey.
Ultimately, coaching moves clients through a medium-to-long-term journey, helping them break through barriers and realize their full potential.
5 Types of Breakthroughs People Achieve
One advantage of breakthrough life coaching is its flexibility in terms of what type of “breakthrough” you want to achieve. Coaches specializing in this niche have a good handle on the different areas in which breakthroughs tend to happen. Here are some of the most common examples.
1. Emotional Breakthroughs
Emotional breakthroughs involve gaining a deeper understanding of one's emotions and learning how to manage them effectively. They often come after periods of emotional struggle or confusion, leading to greater emotional intelligence. This can dramatically improve an individual's quality of life by enhancing their relationships, mental health, and overall well-being.
2. Career Breakthroughs
Imagine finally landing your dream job, getting that much-coveted promotion, or successfully steering your start-up to success. These are the hallmarks of career breakthroughs. For some, they’re the result of working with a coach who helps shape career strategy and goals.
3. Relationship Breakthroughs
Relationship breakthroughs transform the dynamics of your relationships. It’s a common misconception that something must be “wrong” in a relationship to seek out third-party support. While coaching can certainly help improve struggling relationships, it can also help take great relationships to even greater heights. There’s always space for breakthroughs when it comes to emotional maturity and personal growth—and even space to enhance intimacy through coaching.
4. Financial Breakthroughs
What if you could finally climb out of debt or reach your ambitious savings target? How would your life change if you could make a rewarding investment or hit your desired income level? Financial breakthroughs may be made possible by coaches who help you with financial discipline, enhancing your financial literacy, and creating a strategic plan tailored to your needs. Although, keep in mind that even the most successful coaches are not finance professionals!
5. Personal Development Breakthroughs
Experiencing personal development growth can look like breaking bad habits, developing positive ones, improving time management skills, or boosting self-confidence. These breakthroughs all contribute to personal growth. It’s never a bad time to seek personal development with a goal to enhance life quality and career prospects.
Breakthrough Life Coaching FAQs
To further understand the benefits of this type of coaching, dive into the answers to commonly asked questions about the process.
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Coaching is like the gym. Consistency matters. Small steps and habit formation matter. Expect months, not weeks, to really reach meaningful change in your life.
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Perfect! The coaching experience will help you dive deep into your life and career. Coaching is your dedicated space to explore themes, ideas, or rough goals that help inform breakthrough targets.
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Anyone who seeks to make a life change, improvement, or perspective shift may benefit. Coaching has been profoundly helpful for people from all walks of life. If you’re interested and willing to commit to the process, you can likely benefit.
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The average hourly cost for coaching is $244 per hour. Some coaches offer package deals for multiple sessions, which can provide a more cost-effective option. Remember, coaching is a direct investment in personal growth and development. For some, the investment is justified by this fact. (There are much worse places to put your money!)
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If you want to experience a breakthrough in your relationship—whether with a significant other, family member, child, or otherwise—you can find a coach who offers joint sessions. But also keep in mind you can achieve relationship breakthroughs simply by getting your own coach. Working one-on-one with a coach will give you new perspectives and tools to then take to your relationships, regardless if you’re receiving personal or joint coaches.
How to Hire a Great Coach
Finding a great breakthrough coach can have a transformative impact on your life. When researching coaches, look for hard proof of their effectiveness. Client testimonials can provide valuable insights into a coach's methods and success rate. Certifications from reputable coaching institutions are also good indicators of a coach's professional competence and dedication to their craft. However, remember that while these are important, they aren't the only factors to consider.
Compatibility is just as crucial. A good rapport with your coach can significantly enhance the effectiveness of the coaching process. Many coaches offer free consultation calls—take advantage of these to gauge whether you feel comfortable and understood. For tips on how to interview and vet coaches, make sure to check out our 7-step guide on how to hire a coach.
Finally, don't underestimate the power of recommendations. Ask friends, colleagues, or other trusted individuals in your network if they can suggest any great coaches (or take our word on some trusted coaches and check out our short-list of favorites below). Good luck!
