Do I need a coach or can I coach myself?

Why would you need a coach when there are so many self-coaching and self-development books out there you could just buy and read?

I am a coach and have tried coaching myself. Truth is, it only works partially. At least in my opinion. Or maybe just for me 😃 Am I the exception? Or is it because it is my business as a coach to tell you that you absolutely need a coach? None of these. The thing with coaching yourself is, you can read tons of self-coaching books and do the exercises, talk to your friends, surround yourself with people who support you and bring out the best in you, but getting yourself a coach next to all that will help you for a variety of reasons.

The 4 biggest misconceptions about coaching

First of all, let´s set things straight. There is a lot of misconception about what coaching is. So let me tell you what coaching is not, to give you a better insight into coaching.

  • Coaching is not just having a coffee chat and asking some random questions.
  • Coaching is not telling the other what he needs to do and how he needs to do it.
  • Coaching is not using one method which fits all.
  • Coaching is not some fluffy hocus pocus where the coach wields his magic stick and you reach your goals overnight.

If you need someone giving you concrete advice in a specific area, you are not looking for a coach but a consultant, who has expert knowledge in this specific field. So, for different topics it makes sense to hire more than one consultant.

A coach on the contrary, does not necessarily have to be an expert in your field (but of course can be), because the focus is not on giving advice but in developing what is already in you and building up on that.

What is good coaching?

A good coaching is like a good massage therapy:

  • Parts of the techniques can be applied to everyone, but because people are individuals, each person has to be treated differently.
  • A good massage therapist will find your subjacent tensions, the same applies to a good coach.
  • When someone pushes your trigger points, it might hurt but in the end it will leave you with a good feeling realizing that it was exactly what you needed.
  • It smoothens your muscles and helps you to become more flexible.

The 7 main benefits of working with a coach

Reading literature on self-development and self-coaching, talking to your friends and surrounding yourself with the right people is a good start, but having a professional coach will help you to:

  • Dig deeper by asking you the right questions, at the right time and in the right order. A good coach will be able to know what questions will really help you, dare to ask you the questions that need to be asked, separating out the real issues, and also be aware of inconsistencies in your answers.
  • Grow personally and professionally, by pushing your trigger points and smoothening your muscles so you become more flexible.
  • A coach will listen with total impartiality. A coach never follows his own agenda, but has only one agenda on his mind – coaching you to achieve your goals.
  • Get out of your comfort zone by helping you to find YOUR way out of it.
  • Not give up when you had a setback by handing you the right tools that will help you move forward.
  • Save energy and time compared to doing it all by yourself.
  • Reach your goals by walking with you through the process and holding you accountable.

Coaching can change your life and it can help you gain momentum in reaching your true goals. Therefore, hiring a coach is an investment you are making into yourself and your future. Why economize on that?

So the answer to the question ‘can I coach myself?’ is ‘yes, up to a certain point but working with a coach can really accelerate your personal and professional development and help you achieve way more.’