Life Guiding Vs Life Coaching

In today's society the term coach has many different interpretations. For example, there are sports coaches, business coaches, life coaches, effectiveness coaches, executive coaches, and the list goes on. For every niche, there is a coach there ready to offer services and support. According to Dictionary.com, "a coach gives instruction or advise to the capacity of a coach."

On many levels, a coach is someone who is considered an authority, and or an expert in a specific field or domain. The most effective coaches are the ones who have education and experience in their specific niche. Think for a moment, if you wanted coaching to be a high level executive, would you hire a coach who had no experience in the business world? The answer is most likely no. Therefore, to be successful as a coach, he/she must have specific expertise in order to be considered credible in the eyes of the client. Coaches have learned skills to be effective, but their success is not depended on their experience. Coaches depend on their skills first then their experience.

In contrast, a trained Life Guide first and foremost uses their life experiences to help a person achieve their goals. Experiences provide wisdom and wisdom is what the Bible tells us is supreme... "Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don't forget my words or turn away from them." Proverbs 4:5 (NLT). It is from this Biblical perspective, we offer Life Guiding at Only You Can Be You. According to Dictionary.com, "a guide means to supply a person with advice or counsel, as in practical or spiritual affairs." We identify more with this term because as a Life Guide, one does not need to be an expert, rather one must have at least "been there" and or experienced life in a similar way as the client.

Skills don't offer wisdom, experiences do. I personally have learned the most and grown the most when I have given others permission to speak truth/wisdom into my life that comes from their own experiences.

- Who better to help me reach a goal of develop an authentic prayer life than someone that had already done it?
- Who better to help me be the best dad and husband I can than someone that has been married 20 years more then me?
- Who better to help me discover my purpose in life than someone that has already and has experienced the refining process of God first hand?

A trained Life Guide is grounded in the principles of what the Bible teaches, has the passion to empower others to discover their calling and define their careers, and most importantly has the experience in their own life. Life Guides know what it means to live a cluttered and confused life, because they were once there themselves. They have learned how to replace their clutter and confusion with God's clarity and confidence. Life Guides understand the need to pass on what God has taught them, which the Bible teaches, "Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! The Father is a merciful God, who always gives us comfort. He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share that same comfort with others in trouble." 2 Cor. 1:3-4

The main difference between a Coach and a Guide, is that a Guide supports their clients with Biblical principles, life experiences, spiritual discernment provided by the Holy Spirit, and prayer, while the majority of coaches supports their clients with more of a secular method of instruction. I am not implying one method is better than another a lot has to depend on your situation and the goals in which you desire to reach.

However, it will come to deciding for yourself: Do you want "techniques & skills" helping you or "real life wisdom & experience"? If you choose wisdom/experiences then let us know how we can help you. Better yet, become a Life Guide by launching a Life Mission Center in your church.