Having read, enjoyed and learned a lot from "The Thirty Minute Coach", which was co-authored by Curly Martin, I eagerly awaited her own publication "The Life Coaching Handbook".
Whilst "The Thirty Minute Coach" was written from the client's perspective, "The Life Coaching Handbook" is Curly's complete guide to becoming a Professional Life Coach.
The book is divided into two sections. The first takes us through the process of becoming a Professional Life Coach and defines what coaching is, the role and skills of a Life Coach and how to set up a practice. The second section explores more advanced coaching skills.
From the outset, Curly's enthusiasm, commitment and personal success are obvious. "Life Coaching is simple", she says and this positive statement inspires us to read on to discover how we too can be successful. Curly is a person who "walks the talk".
The early chapters of the book describe how Life Coaching is a holistic process, bringing harmony and balance to a person's life. The Life Coach is someone who helps take a person from where they are to where they want to be by focusing on goals and results. It is enabling and empowering and helping a client to achieve results allows coaches to become aware of the need for balance in their own lives.
Curly explains that coaching is not counselling or therapy. Life Coaching concentrates on the present and the future, not the past. It is about goal setting and achievement, not about interventions. Negative self-talk and self-image can be changed into positive self-talk and action with the help of a coach. Beliefs can be changed and obstacles removed, leading to a more satisfying and positive way of life.
She gives a fascinating insight into human behaviour which enables us to understand our interactions, relationships and communication styles. A coach who understands their own behaviour is more likely to be able to understand that of others. In understanding a client's beliefs and mindset, a coach can communicate effectively and build rapport.
Good communication is essential to successful coaching. Curly's communication style is excellent. She writes in clear, simple language; no jargon or "psycho-babble". Where technical terms are used, she gives an immediate explanation and examples. She speaks of the need to study and use language effectively. Techniques such as good open questioning and listening are paramount to success. We learn how individuals interpret information according to their preferred representational system ie auditory, kinaesthetic or visual and how it is necessary to listen for this in conversation and match our language to that of the client. Curly is a Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming and gives us an opportunity to dip our toes in the water and discover the background and concepts of this technique.
Section two of the book deals in some depth with the complexities of language. Reframing, Metaphors, the Milton Model and Meta-language patterns are all offered as more advanced coaching skills. They all involve an understanding of how language works in the way in which we receive and respond to information. Whilst these concepts are quite intricate, Curly explains them in simple terms, using examples and dialogues.
The chapters on Spiral Coaching are particularly absorbing. The concept of the evolution of an individual's mind, their beliefs and values being likened to a spiral staircase is startling. Each "landing" on the staircase is colour-coded relating to an individual's particular thinking patterns. I think I must be evolving between "landings" at the moment - somewhere between green and yellow.
The book is full of analogies, anecdotes, real-life cases, metaphors and practical advice, all of which serve to encourage and involve the reader. Each chapter starts with a Synopsis and ends with a Summary. It is easy to dip into the book and find a particular topic or reference.
Particularly valuable are the chapters on how to set up and manage a Life Coahing practice. Curly gives a lot of advice on how to advertise and market the enterprise. It is important to use the term "practice" to indicate a profession rather than a trade. We can benefit from her knowledge and experience of networking and growing the practice by adopting strategies such as issuing press releases and getting ourselves invited to speak to business clubs. Offering a Code of Conduct underscores the professionalism of a Life Coaching practice and Curly generously invites us to use hers in contracting with a client.
"The Life Coaching Handbook" offers a comprehensive and indispensible guide to anyone considering becoming a Life Coach or wanting to enhance their existing skills in this role. Its easy-to-read style makes the techniques available to readers from all walks of life and occupations. As a training consultant, I am heartnened by the fact that I seem to be using many of the concepts in my work already, but I am also aware that there are areas that can improve upon. This book will be my constant companion and Curly will be my inspiration and my guide.
