How a Motivational Coach Can Propel You to New Heights
Think about a recent time when you felt a jolt of motivation—a boost of energy that prompted you to take action. We all experience these moments at different times, catalyzed by different things. But what if you could curate your life to take advantage of that motivated feeling more frequently? For some, this aspiration is the reason for hiring a motivational coach.
In this article, we’ll explore how motivational coaching is an effective tool to help you channel your energy and ambition into actionable steps toward achieving your goals.
What Is a Motivational Coach?
A motivation coach works with individuals looking to level up their motivation, focus, and performance in certain aspects of life. This could be their fitness routine, career aspirations, side hustle, or general personal development. Coaches use various strategies and techniques to inspire their clients, helping them to break through mental barriers to reach their potential.
This type of coaching shares some overlaps with accountability coaching. Both serve as powerful motivation resources, nudging clients towards fulfilling their commitments. In fact, some coaches may use these labels interchangeably given the similarities in what they aim to achieve.
Understanding What a Motivation Coach Does
When you think of a motivational coach, you might picture an NFL coach giving an inspirational speech to their team. But the role of a coach goes much deeper than that. It includes strategic guidance and expert insights designed to help clients overcome personal hurdles.
General Coaching Work
When it comes to specific coaching niches, each brings its own focus. However, the concept of coaching has underlying principles that will always find their way into a coaching engagement. This includes kickoff work, through which the coach and client get to know each other. The coach works to understand the client’s current situation and goals, using this information to help craft a roadmap to get from point A to point B.
Once a plan is in place, coaching typically includes consistent check-ins to monitor progress, provide feedback, and adjust strategies as needed. These sessions typically happen weekly or bi-weekly to give the client ongoing support.
Motivation-Oriented Work
Motivation coaches, while adhering to the general coaching principles above, lean into exercises and techniques specifically designed to boost motivation. As a specialist in this field, a motivational coach understands how to get the most out of their clients and what keeps them going. They may use techniques such as:
Positive reinforcement to encourage and celebrate effort and progress.
Visualization to help clients envision their goals and the steps they need to take to achieve them.
Continuous learning to empower clients with additional resources related to staying motivated (think: books, articles, and exercises).
Uncovering blind spots to overcome obstacles and barriers. Certain behaviors, limiting beliefs, or unproductive habits may impede our ability to remain motivated.
Skill development to supplement one’s ability to stay motivated. For example, imagine a client who is de-motivated by the challenges of landing a new job. Developing skills that enhance the client’s qualifications in the job market will enhance motivation.
Even with these common practices, remember that each coach brings a unique flair to their coaching practice. There is no standardized approach to motivation coaching, so hiring someone largely depends on compatibility and personal alignment. Read more about how to hire a coach who will ignite your potential and propel you toward your goals.
Motivational Coaching Use Cases
Let’s explore who would look into hiring a motivational coach. If you already fall into one of these categories or aspire to become one, you may find this type of coaching highly beneficial.
High-Performers at Work
Excelling in your career requires more than just expertise in your field. It demands resilience, determination, and a drive to succeed. A motivational coach can provide the guidance and inspiration you need to give it your all in your career ambitions.
Entrepreneurs, Founders, and Side Hustlers
Starting a business or pursuing a major idea can be daunting, lonely, and difficult. But resilience is one of the biggest predictors of success. Resilience and motivation are two sides of the same coin. A motivation coach can be your ally in this battle, helping you navigate the ups and downs of the journey—from overcoming financial hurdles to conquering self-doubt.
Fitness and Health Enthusiasts
Many of us know that staying motivated to stick to a diet or fitness plan takes discipline. Whether you're trying to shed a few pounds, run a marathon, or simply live a healthier lifestyle, motivation is a key predictor of success. A coach will keep you accountable to your goals and help you find joy in the journey toward better health.
Creatives
Pursuing and sticking to a creative vision can be some of the most taxing work in the world. Creatives must trust the process, leave and return to ideas, and overcome obstacles like writer’s block. Staying motivated can be a challenge. As Rick Rubin puts it in his new book, The Creative Act:
“Good habits create good art. The way we do anything is the way we do everything. Treat each choice you make, each action you take, each word you speak with skillful care. The goal is to live your life in the service of art.”
For creatives, living up to this Rubin quote starts with habits. A motivational life coach can help you develop habits that inspire your creativity and unlock your best ideas.
General Life Transitions
Life is full of transitions—moves, breakups, career changes—the list goes on. During these times, it can be easy to lose sight of your goals and ambitions. Motivational coaches are skilled at helping people navigate these periods. From developing routines to putting ourselves out there to make the most of life, this type of coaching can result in a renewed sense of direction and purpose.
Motivational Coaching FAQs
While coaching for motivation looks different for everyone, these answers to common questions can help you get a clear picture of the process.
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This type of coaching can carry a higher price tag, but it's an investment in your personal growth and future success. While you can expect to pay $100 to $300 per hour, many coaches offer packages that make their coaching more accessible.
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Think of hiring a motivational life coach like embarking on a road trip. You may lean on a coach for a short but intense journey, like a three-month sprint to achieve a specific goal. But often, they're your thought partner for the long haul, guiding you for six months to a year or more. Coaches tend to be flexible, above all else wanting to serve the client’s bespoke needs as best they can.
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How sessions take place depends on the coach. While remote coaching is rising in popularity, some motivation coaches still offer in-person sessions to local clientele. Again, this usually depends on their availability and the client’s goals.
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Motivational coaching builds a bridge to your future, focusing on goal setting and action plans. Therapy, in contrast, often looks in the rear-view mirror, addressing past experiences to heal emotional wounds. While coaching drives you forward, therapy helps you understand where you've been and how it affects you now.
Some Quotes to Send You on Your Way
On the topic of coaching for motivation and resilience, what better way than to close this article with some of our favorite motivational quotes?
"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today."
–Franklin D. Roosevelt
FDR offers us a great reminder that it's often our own self-doubt that holds us back from achieving greatness. Conquer your doubts, and the future is full of opportunity.
"The secret of getting ahead is getting started."
–Mark Twain
Twain highlights that simply getting started is often the most important step in building momentum. Many of us can relate—the first step might be the hardest, but it's the one that unlocks new roadmaps.
"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."
–C.S. Lewis
Lewis reminds us that age is just a number when it comes to chasing ambitions. It's never too late to dream big. For some, that might mean embracing this wise perspective with the help of a motivational coach.
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