Well, with the assistance of your new life coach, you will design a coaching plan that meets your schedule requirements and satisfies your necessities. In most cases the coaching sessions will convene over the telephone rather than face-to-face. Nevertheless, if you reside in close proximity to your coach, you should have a personal introduction first – it's usually helpful to attach a face to a name. Life coaches prefer conducting telephone sessions. Not only do they not require offices, staff or other costly overhead, but they are:

⇨ Easier to schedule
⇨ The better use of time
⇨ An effective process
⇨ Definitely more focused on YOU
⇨ More personal and productive since there are fewer distractions

So at first there is usually a 60- to 90- minute teleconference. The partnership is established, the rules are reviewed, and the coaching process is initiated. Your coach's goal will be to assist you in obtaining specific results that will enhance your image, personal growth and personal development. You will discuss the coaching session formats and the level of support you desire. Note that YOU will do the majority of the talking, and take ownership of your issues. Your life coach wants to know all about you and your concerns, challenges and reservations. He or she wants you to describe in detail your goals, visions and aspirations.

Where would you like to be a year from now, or five years from now? What would you like to be doing? What would you like to have accomplished? Prior to the first session, you may have been required to complete a questionnaire as a routine way of getting acquainted with you and your coaching expectations. You may be seeking assistance with one specific issue, or you may be seeking help with several circumstances you are facing. With your coach serving as your facilitator, you will identify which goals have the most priority, and which ones you want to work on first.

The life coach is there to help you clearly define your 'what and why'. He will help to make your goals real to you; he'll help you understand how achievable they are. Then he will inspire you and help you find pleasure in the coaching process. He will be on the alert for opportunities to probe and challenge you. He will graciously accept your questions and the two of you will decide what happens during the next session. You will set the agenda; but, your coach will assure you remain on track for the achievement of your goals.

Your follow-on life coaching appointments will consist of one 30- to 90-minute telephone call per week based upon the type of coaching services you purchased, the coach's methods, and your personal coaching essentials. They can be held less frequently if necessary. Usually a three to six month commitment is made, although the typical coaching partnership lasts nearly a year. Many client objectives are so significant that it takes months to realize them. The coaching partnership entitles you to unlimited email support and an occasional power call or brief check-in call, also.

Throughout each session, your life coach will initiate dialogue to help you understand yourself and your goals better. He will direct you along the way so you will learn how to make choices that result in a balanced, fulfilling life. His queries will cause you to reach way down into the recesses of your mind and spur in depth thoughts; incite your creativity, urge the understanding of your life's situations, and encourage you to summon those solutions that satisfy your needs, wants and challenges. These sessions are confidential.

Although you will be given options where appropriate, your life coach will never tell you what to do. He will only guide you in selecting the most viable option for accomplishing your objectives. You will want to set aside sufficient time for reflection and observation following each coaching session. By doing so, you will obtain maximum benefits and success.

How long the life coaching partnership lasts depends upon what it is you want, your current position and where you hope to be in the future. It might last three to six months or it might last one to two years. Experience indicates that personal growth and development is evidenced between the fourth and eighth sessions. Good life coaches make certain each session is friendly, relaxed, saturated with optimism and as much fun as possible.

In summary, here is what you can expect from your life coaching sessions:

Direction
Challenge
Accountability
Encouragement
Focused objectives
Support and validation
Goal setting and achievement

I wish you all the best!