Hi Energylz,
Thanks for your reply.
I suppose part of the problem of not knowing how well young coaches practice (and indeed any life coach) is because the practice is not regulated in the UK. So I assume it is only through getting the right accreditation and making a name for yourself that you can set yourself apart from coaches with poor practices.
I'm very pleased that you say it is not 100% down to 'life experience'.
Hello Crystal elf,
I found your reply very comforting, thank you.
My concern about my age only really arose when I spoke to someone who works in the executive recruitment market and is very knowledgeable but careers in general in the UK. I am not personally concerned about my 'life experience' I do consider myself a very mature, well-traveled and insightful 26 year old, of course that is not to say that I don't still have a lot to learn in life and experience to get, which I appreciate will come with time, such as having children etc. My main concern was being perceived too young by clients but I suppose that is why it has been suggested to me to start off coaching young people and finding a niche.
Perhaps you could help me with this question as well, do you know of any companies that hire life coaches? Whether on a self-employed or contract basis.
I suppose, to summarize what I said...
Life coaching is not about telling people what they should be doing from your own experience, it's about informing them how they can organise themselves and look at what resources they have available that can help them find the answer to that aspect of their life they want to change... and being there to support them and encourage them to make those changes.
Sounds to me like the person in the executive recruitement market likes to be a person who thinks they know what is best for a person, rather than letting the person discover what is best for themselves. 😉
All Love and Reiki Hugs
Hi Jade
Agree with much of what has been said above. Assuming you train and become a brilliant life coach, this is about your marketing. If I was looking for a coach I would want someone who I felt understood my situation and it's a much easier sell if they've been through similar life stages, worked at the same level, been there, seen that, got the t shirt.
So being 26 is a marketing advantage if you aim at a younger group. You've got a good understanding of their life style and pressures and more recent experience than an older person.
Hope that helps.
As others have said, life coaching is predominantly a skill set and a set of tools that enable a client to become more self aware and more in control of their lives. The life coach listens and asks questions that are designed to make the client think, reflect and then make appropriate changes in their lives.
I think that you can do this just as well when you are 26 as when you are 56, and you're not going to be 26 forever are you - starting now will mean that in 10 years time you will have an accomplished skill set, more life experience and a head start on your contemporaries.
I would say that there are bigger challenges faced by prospective life coaches than the age that you are - you are most likely to be self employed with all the challenges that this brings. Does the course you are thinking about taking include some business development/marketing elements?