Anyone ever used a life/career coach?

[Bumperlicious]

Just wondering if anyone has ever used a life or a career coach?

I am feeling very adrift, like a ball of simmering energy just desperate to do something with my life, I'm not sure if it's a change in career I need or just some creative direction. I'm just feeling very frustrated and it ends up just driving me into lethargy.

Has anyone found one any use? Or any other tips? Books or something? How much does it cost?

Well, I can't afford £300 for a start (sorry Ruby!) so I guess that is out of the question. I didn't think it would be that much .

Capp, good plan, both DH and I have said that we must do that. I use the TV in the day to relieve the boredom of looking after a baby (please don't judge me for that comment!) I work PT, and don't really want to put DD into childcare. The job I'm in is very flexible in terms of hours, so it works for now, but I do need to think long term. Part of my motivation is money. We are could in a hamster wheel of no money which I can't see changing in the near future. I just keep thinking "you know, I have a 1st class degree (Psychology), a distinction at Master's level (Psych research and Cognitive Neuroscience in case you are interested) I'm a good person, I deserve more than this!". I doesn't help that DH is in a shitty job, which he may be about to be forced to leave (which is another thread floating about somewhere). I got kidded into believing that I was really bright at school, that I would do better and be better of than my mum bring up 3 kids on a council estate. And here I am, 27 living in a rented flat, in a job that is going no where fast (though, don't get me wrong it is a good job, just doesn't pay brill, maternity leave and working part-time has pretty much scuppered promotion for a while), financially worse off than I have ever been thinking "when, when is it going to get better? When will I feel like I am actually living my life rather than just waiting for it?"

Sorry, I'm offloading now. I do have a counsellor (free at the children's centre! Starting seeing her as was in a bit of a mess after having a baby, for all of the reasons I've been saying really), but she has been away on a project for a couple of months. Can you tell?!

Some people I know swear byWhat Colour is your Parachute, but I haven't actually read it myself and it gets very mixed reviews on Amazon.

Bumper, trouble is that most career coaches get paid by corporates and can cost £300 per session! There are plenty of other things you can do. What Colour is Your Parachute has been out for a long time, renewed every year, doesn't suit everyone but worth a read. If you can get it at your library, might be worth a quick look to see if it works for you to get some inspiration.

Think I might have seen that in the library...will check it out. Thanks for the advice and general support everyone. I just wish I was one of those people who was happier with their lot then I wouldn't feel this hankering for something else.

Bumper - here's another book recommendation for you what should I do with my life.

It is American but it's not wanky or self-helpy, just a good read about people who've come to a bit of a crossroads and don't know what to do next.

I do know how you feel, by the way, I just have this feeling on "what next" and I'm quite a lot older than you (you've got plenty of time!). I know I need to to find something with more meaning than "just" this but have no idea what it is.

Dh had an evening class brochure for a college near here. I read it cover to cover and couldn't even find one single course I was interested in. Bit pathetic really.

Oooh, I bought that for DH for Christmas (he hasn't read it yet!) so it's laying around somewhere. Will give it a go. I would love to do an evening course, money is the issue really.

If I had my time again I would do a different degree. How can we have to pick so early before we really know what we want to do? Now it's too late to go back because I can't afford to do another course.

ok, so you can't really afford a hge career change and dont necessarily want to make the huge jump either.

why not try some voluntary work in a field that you may not be totally qualified in but you thin would challenge you a bit.
one that you could see the rewards in real terms.
maybe a homelss shelter/ prison/youth centre etc etc.

it only needs to be a couple of hours a week but it will give yousomething to focus on, help you decide on a new path for your life and maybe give you some inspiration as to where you want your life to go.

Sorry I wasnt being very helpful. Lots of people must find life coaches a useful tool because the one I know has clients and gave up a paid job to start a life coaching business.

Maybe make an appointment and see how you feel after that. You can't lose anything by attending 1 meeting!
Good luck.

my friend (ex friend) went to one when in limbo with life....at the time she was due to get married but having it away elsewhere .

After her sessions with her life coach she cancelled the wedding with days left, went away anyway with family and partner (planned to marry abroard) and once back left her dp. Handed in her notice at work and moved to her country of origin and the last I had heard was she had married....another guy..12 years younger than her...all within 6 months.

I pity her husband as I guess he doesn't know the whole past..

I remember her saying at the time of seeing her life coach that they gave her the opportunity to discuss where she was in life and to allow her to see the problems herself iykwim...They help you to take another path OR to improve the path you are on...

Hmm............im always wary of life coaches etc. IMO the individual needs to see the problem and to make the changes themsleves.

Bmperlicious have you considered a part-time degree with the OU? I'm in the process of doing one at the moment - It's great therapy when you're finally studying something you are really interested in. You get loads of support (even financial if your income is below a certain level).

Hello again, thanks for all your advice. I have spent the morning looking into OU courses, there are some courses that I would like to do. I would love to do a Degree in International Studies. The problem is affording it. I already have a degree so not eligible for assistance. But I am seriously thinking about it and next week there is an OU session at my local library so I think this is a good stating place.

Mamazon makes a good point about volunteering, however with a 14mo, who DH and I both share care of time is limited. We only get Sundays off together, the rest of the week we spend 3 long days either working or looking after DD.

You are mostly all right though, I don't need a life coach, I just need Mumsnet!

I describe lifecoaching as a bit like an enzyme speeding up the process of goal setting and helping you deal with obstacles by working out what you have control over and what action you can take to get you closer to your goals.

It also supports and motivates you from a fresh perspective. Its not the same as the "what am I gonna do?" conversations with family and friends and definately not for things which require a trained personnel or therapist.

Coaching is not a well regulated area and there are lot of charlatans just after your money so why not "be your own lifecoach", Fiona Harrold has written a book of that title, I think you can get it on audio too, and she's one of the Uk's top life coaches, and she has online courses which you can do with or without some telephone coaching.

Its an affordable alternative if you want to try it but good luck whatever you choose, even the courses you mention are a good start, as taking action and small steps is the right direction away from a life rut.

I would think that £300 for a session with a career coach would be very sensible if you're considering spending several years on another degree without (from what you say) a very clear idea of what you'd do with it after.

I have a degree and masters in your subjects, also a phd. There are lots of further qualifications you can do, starting from psychology, rather than starting another first degree which isn't particularly vocational. Otherwise you might find yourself in a few years with another degree and still little idea of where to go with it.

I haven't used a career coach officially but I have a couple of colleagues who are life coaches and counsellors and I have found them very useful to talk to, I'd certainly consider paying one if you're floundering on which direction to go.

Dh had a great one. Career based - He just came round for an evening, as a taster session. we couldn't really afford to take it further, but we should have done. He was very good. Like others have said, it is a bit like counselling. Posing questions in a way that really makes you think.

My best frioned gave me a free online, 'what job should you do, to suit your personality' type thing'/quiz.
Told me I should be a book keeper. Not even an accountant, I tell you. How we laughed. the funny thing is , I am kind of like a book keeper. Really really funny.
Will try and find out name of it for you.

Thanks all, didn't realise I'd had more replies.

Has anyone used careers advisers from the job centre?

Oblomov if you could find me that quiz I'd be very grateful.

The career coaching side of things can be very beneficial - I have known lawyers use a specialist legal career coach and it change their perspective on things and their careers - I think the coach needs to be from a profession if coaching professionals etc.. There are two sorts of coach essentially - those from a psychological background (questions posed about how you feel etc..), and those from a professional background (questions to determine practical advice). Not sure anyone has the time to spend going back again and again to a coach, but some career coaches offer one-off sessions followed up by unlimited email support.