What in the sam hill does a life coach do, and who in the world would hire one?

[raccoon]

I saw an ad on Amazon about getting a Life coach training for $697.

So, somebody’s going to hire a person who paid out $700 to tell them what to do with their life? :shrug:

[TwilightGardener]

1. Geez, and I do it for free, whether people want me to or not.

[NYC_SKP]

2. I think it started with people with more money than they need.

Maybe it's become something that people who want to emulate the rich have come to think they need to be "complete".

Just a guess.

:donut:

[zipplewrath]

3. Muse

A muse, a secretary that can't type, an aide de camp, "chief of staff".....

It's a counselor/ego stroker for rich people who don't want to think they have "problems".

[notadmblnd]

5. a brown noser, a butt kisser, a yes man, a flunkie?

Is that what you're trying to say?

[zipplewrath]

11. With privledges

A brown noser that's allowed to suggest things to you without getting fired. They just have to be careful how often they tell you that you're screwing up.

[Burma Jones]

4. I think a Life Coach is a Professional Friend

We've become fragmented and lack good close relationships....so, we pay someone to be a friend....

[OneGrassRoot]

8. Exactly! LOL. I was just thinking that recently....

as, for some reason, I get a lot of emails and see tons of ads for "life coaches."

I was thinking the same thing...that we're all life coaches (perhaps some good, some not so good), as it's just another word for a FRIEND.

:hi:

[monmouth]

18. I keep getting ads for Viagra, go figure....n/t

[mike_c]

12. I agree-- I have an aquaintance who is a "life coach..."

...and I suspect she has paid far more for her various "trainings" and seminars than she can ever hope to make in fees for her services, LOL. But yeah, she did have a few clients the last time I checked, and when she was visiting here several years ago she had regular daily conferences with them via email or telephone. It seemed to be mostly just listening to their problems, then urging them to do something about them. Lots of pithy sayings and the like. Just the sort of thing you'd expect from a good friend.

[monmouth]

19. Or a sponsor in AA. Same thing, right?...LOL...n/t

[raccoon]

25. The sponsor is a heckuva lot cheaper. nt

[ladjf]

6. It's a form of social work. For some, the experience could well

be worth the expense. nt

[Lone_Star_Dem]

7. I'm not really sure, but I'm sure I could be one for that kind of money.

I'm currently looking for a way to supplement my income. This might be perfect for me! :D

[gmoney]

9. Sort of a cross between a therapist and a personal trainer?

I'm guessing there are different specialties, so maybe one would help you live a healthier liftestyle, or one would help with career issues, perhaps?

[leftofcool]

10. It is a form of spiritual training that has nothing to do with

any form of faith or religion. It also serves as as an aid for people who feel like they need to better their life or seek some mission in their life. I would not hire one from ebay. There are certified life coaches that work with troubled teens all the across the country.

[Johonny]

13. rich people ot people that think it is the road to riches

the same people that plunk money for a weekend of team building, or buy book after book on self improvement. There is a whole industry designed to do nothing but reinforce "positive" thinking and most importantly to push that your success or failure is your fault and if bad things happen you need more affirmation.

[leftofcool]

16. So positive thinking is a bad thing?

[Amerigo Vespucci]

14. I've known a couple via various business networking groups

Many of them are "accountability partners" for people who are too weak to be accountable to themselves. An example would be that the "life coach" writes out a goal or two, and the person paying them seeks their approval by saying "I met my goal this week" and the life coach says "You're doing GREAT!" and then takes their check to the bank.

cha-CHING!

[raccoon]

15. DU'ers who need a job/another job, maybe this is something to consider looking into. nt

[Amerigo Vespucci]

22. It only takes a minimal amount of ersatz training...

...kind of like the people who become "ordained ministers" by sending a $10 check in the mail.

I've never taken a close look at the credentials of the people I know, but I've seen their business cards and web sites and there is always something in their credentials like "Certified Life Coach"...

[murray hill farm]

17. A "life coach" is often..

a wanna be counselor or psychotherapist who is not trained or eligible for licensing, but can act it out via internet calling themselves a "LIfe Counselor".

[bullwinkle428]

20. "Life coaches" & "consultants" : the con artists of the 21st century!

[blueworld]

21. My Bubbe did it for free & she fed me in the bargain. n/t

[cbdo2007]

23. I think it's sort of what a "mentor" use to be. but they're paid.

You probably know someone who has a lot of potential and has a lot of hopes and dreams but is all unorganized and in debt and out of shape and eats bad and stuff so they can't pull themselves together to actually realize their dreams. The "life coach" comes in and gets them back on track and helps them get organized and teaches them how to get their personal/financial/spiritual/relationships etc. on track for a better future.

I actually know therapists who have quit doing therapy and have gone into "life coaching" instead because it pays so much better.

[FarCenter]

24. It's like a clergyman, but without the god thingy

[guitar man]

26. here'a a life coach for you

and he doesn't screw around about it either! :D