Coaching is a process where the coach and the client collaborate and work in partnership, to identify and achieve the client’s goals. The synergy that is created in this working partnership creates momentum. Clear and obtainable goals are set -- ones that naturally pull the client towards them, rather than require the client to push themselves to the goal. The client develops new skills, and these skills translate into more success.

Coaching is not therapy. Coaches do no work on “issues” or focus primarily on the past. Coaching deals with the future and creating a future in keeping with a client’s vision and goals. Coaching helps a client move forward toward personal and business goals that will give them the life they really want.

Coaching includes several principles from sports coaching like teamwork, going for the goal, and being your best. Unlike sports coaching, most professional coaching is not a competition or win/lose based. Coaches focus on strengthening their client’s skills and unlocking their true potential -- the potential we all sense in ourselves, but have yet to fully tap into.

Wellness Coaching is a specialized area in coaching industry. Wellness coaches create partnerships with individuals who are seeking to improve their mental, physical, nutritional and environmental state. A Wellness Coach provides an interactive relationship (like a buddy) that is ongoing, supportive and challenging. With your best interest at heart, together you and your coach will release blocks that are holding you back from becoming well and having both energy and a balanced life! Wellness partnerships are formed with men and women with chronic illnesses or health challenges. They work with my clients by guiding them to understand how physical symptoms may have roots in emotions, thoughts and beliefs, as well as in nutritional and environmental factors. Through this collaboration, they design and customize a holistic wellness program to determine the most effective methods.

Top 3 Reasons Why Wellness Coaching Will Work For You!

1. Create a new Experience!- Creating new experiences for yourself, that includes your illness, can be confusing, challenging, and discouraging. The very nature of illness creates an imbalance, and an upsetment in us that needs to be counterbalanced with nurturance, patience and support. Coaching will encourage you to gently move towards your goals while maintaining a high level of self-care.

2. Greater Self-Care!-Living with a chronic illness forces us to become “body focused.” We often associate self-care with body care, and this is an essential element to self-care, but not the end all to be all. Coaching will expand your level of self-care by improving the way you relate with your illness, enhancing your communication skills with your health care providers and the important people in your life, and strengthening your emotional, physical and spiritual reserves.

3. Greater Sense of Purposefulness!- Living with an illness COMPLETELY rocks your world! Not only will you experience the ground shifting beneath your feet, you begin to question your very existence and purpose in life. Coaching will assist you in clarifying what you really WANT in life, by using the 3R method- Recognition, Renegotiation and Regeneration. You have purpose, and you can prove it!

Article written by by Keesha M. Mayes, Butyoudontlooksick.com ©2006
(Keesha Mayes is the President, Senior Consultant and Professional Wellness Coach at CSOLUTIONS Coaching & Consulting services.)