Choosing to begin a transformation of any kind should not be taken lightly. Before you start a life coaching program, it’s critical to ask yourself a few questions – and honestly assess if you are ready for this undertaking.

Yes, you will have a trained guide with you for the process – it’s not something you will undertake alone – but only YOU can make the decision to change course, and only YOU can do the work to make the change stick.

How can you know if this is the right time and program for you?

Building on the popular post 5 Things to Ask a Life Coach Before You Hire Them, here are a few questions to ask yourself before you hire a life coach.

1. Am I ready and willing to change?

Change is rarely easy. To transform your life, you have to be willing to confront weaknesses and hard truths. Many life coaches say and I agree: it will get worse before it gets better. Are you willing to tackle these issues? Are you in a place where you can be honest with yourself about your journey? Sadly, some people dwell in their pain, become quite attached to it, and even allow it to define them. If you have been stuck in that negative place, are you open to defining yourself differently and embracing a new, authentic version of yourself? If so, you might be ready to get started.

2. Is it coaching or counseling that I need?

Some people need a guide to confront their challenges. Others require a more advanced degree of support, and may need counseling to address their situation. If you are not sure which level of support you need, I highly encourage you to have this conversation with a potential coach or counselor before beginning any kind of program.

For example, I do not work with women who have been victims of physical or sexual abuse. I won’t take clients suffering from schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, autism, Asperger’s syndrome, anger management issues, or serious relationship issues. In some instances, other trauma or special circumstances as defined on a case-by-case basis may prevent us from working together. Of course, I want these women to heal! But I am not a therapist or counselor – and these circumstances require a higher level of support. I happily refer women to other professionals better suited to accommodate these needs.

3. Could collaboration and accountability help me get unstuck? (Am I ready to accept help on my journey?)

This goes hand in hand with Question #1 above, but you must also consider if you are open to collaboration and accountability on your journey. With my clients, I take confidentiality very seriously and always want to maintain a safe and honest space for open communication. But if you are not ready or willing to have hard, honest conversations about your struggles or if you are unwilling to accept guidance for your path, you will have a difficult time completing a life coaching program of any kind. If you think you can or want to try working through some issues on your own, I encourage you to do so! You know yourself and your story best. But if you think you could benefit from an unbiased partner to help guide your process, a life coach may be able to help.

4. Am I ready to invest time and energy into my transformation?

Before you hire a life coach, you should ask yourself if you are willing to invest time and energy into the process. Every life coaching program varies, but all require some level of commitment from you personally. On days when you discuss difficult memories or painful feelings, you may feel tired from the emotional work, and you have to consider how this will impact your energy to complete other things. You may find that some things on your to-do list must wait. In some cases, you may be asked to complete homework (for lack of a better word) of some sort outside of your regularly scheduled sessions. Think through what you can reasonably take on, and talk to your potential life coach about their process before getting started so you have a good idea of what to expect and if it will work for you.

5. Do I feel a connection with the coach I’m considering?

I can’t stress enough how important this is. Not all life coaches are created equal. And not all life coaches are well-suited to you and your journey. Before you invest time, money, and energy into a life coaching program, I urge you to evaluate the life coach you are considering to ensure you feel a connection. Many life coaches offer a free or discounted initial session, and I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. Be mindful of your feelings during the first session. Ask yourself: Does this coach and his or her approach inspire me? Is this someone I could trust? Do I feel comfortable with this coach? Does this coach seem like a good accountability partner?

I offer a complimentary Getting Started Session to all my clients. Schedule yours today and you’ll have an opportunity to try out my coaching program for free — with no obligation or pressure to pursue more coaching unless it’s what you want.

This blog post is the second in a series of posts about beginning work with a life coach. You might also enjoy reading the first post: 5 Things to Ask a Life Coach Before You Hire Them.