Aug
If Life Coaches, Therapists and Mentors got into a wrestling match, who would win?
Wouldn’t that be an interesting match! I suppose they would fight over whose clients are better, who has the best methods and whose “eye of the tiger” goals are more beneficial. In the end, they all may just win, but let’s compare them in each of those categories just in case one is screaming bloody murder.
Clients:
The great thing about all fields is they focus on the betterment of the client. However, one client may not fit all programs and all programs may not be beneficial at the same time period in life.
Mentors tend to work with people who are younger than them. It’s usually a casual, less demanding situation. Mentors also tend to be paired with someone who has a commonality with them i.e. profession, gender or lifestyle. Clients in this relationship are usually seeking guidance /advice on a new venture or life in general.
A life coach’s clients can be of any age and is not relative to the age of the therapists. These clients seek out assistance “whether they are experiencing any problems or difficulties or not” (ExpertRating). Life coaches take on clients who are looking to advance and achieve goals.
Therapists are either sought by their clients or are part of a mandatory program. Clients of therapists can also be of any age and is not relative to the age of the therapists. These clients are usually facing some type of difficulty which is impeding on their emotional stability.
Methods:
Mentors’ methods can include various day-to-day outings including sporting events, meals, family gatherings, traditions, etc. Methods can also include mirroring in which the mentee observes the mentor in a specific environment learning from how they act.
The mentor relationship is not an overly difficult one. It doesn’t always ask the mentee to share more than they desire to or work on hard questions challenging their belief system.
Life coaching is very focused on the client’s goal. The process is seen as an enlightening, positive and quick one. It’s very direct and uses well-thought-out methods to accomplish these goals. Methods may include written exercises, powerful questions, goal setting and championing to name a few. The future is the focus.
Therapy is not always seen in a positive light and can sometimes be long and drawn out. Clients present a problem and therapists work backwards from there. Therapists use the problem as an indicator to a bigger issue. They unpack the issue belief by belief. Until they get to an epiphany moment for the client, which usually can be summed up in one statement such as “Life depends on … (ex. the need to be accepted)”.
Past feelings and thoughts become the focus. It can become an emotional rollercoaster trailing through the deepest most inner beliefs of a person. This can be a painful experience. Typically embodying the motto “you have to hurt through it to grow through it”.
Goals:
Mentoring is not goal orientated. Sometimes the goal can be as simple as becoming good friends and maintaining that relationship over a long period of time. Gaining insight and wisdom from the mentor is usually the biggest measurable goal of all.
Life coaching clients are usually already healthy and functioning individuals. Thus, the goal is to help clients overcome hurdles to further greatness. Prompting action from the client is the priority.
Therapists aim to help their clients be healthy functioning people in society. A lot of time is spent restoring clients to a healthy mental state / thought process. Equipping them to respond to their day-to-day environment.
And the winner is….
You! In the end, you pick the winner of the battle. You pick which type of program would best benefit your journey to your best inner self. Life coaching is a growing practice. Mostly because we live in a time which people are searching to increase their awareness about their own powerful capabilities. Life coaches are support and guidance through these new phases of thinking.
The power found in a life coaching relationship stems from the power your coach sees and believes in you as a client. They’re your trainer in the fight. The one in the corner of the ring. So win all of your personal wrestling matches by hiring a life coach to assist you in defeating your opponent. Whether you opponent lies in the form of procrastination to lack of belief, your life coach will help you win.
Invest in yourself. Get the best of yourself!
Take care,
Resource: [1] “Comparison between Life Coaching and Other Related Fields” ExpertRating. Life Coach Courseware. 2017
(ExpertRating)