Top 5 Characteristics Of An Exceptional Life Coach

A Life Coach is a trained, experienced, and certified professional with tools and strategies to guide you through your personal development journey to improve your life.

Personal development such as higher self-esteem, (self-confidence, self-image and self-respect), physical, mental and emotional health, relationships, career, boundaries, finances, spirituality and new perspectives are some life improvements I've coached my clients on. A good Life Coach walks you through the process of becoming the best possible version of yourself. It's an inside job that requires taking an honest look at: yourself, your beliefs, your values, what you've created in your life so far, and what you want to create in your future.

Life coaching is not for everyone. Many people would rather blame everything and everyone else for the way their lives have turned out rather than take responsibility, awaken their inner power and create a life and relationships they love. Why? Because taking responsibility isn't always pretty but I assure you, it's always worth it. So if you're ready to commit to changing your life, read on to see what the characteristics of a good Life Coach are. It will help guide when you're ready to work with one to change your life. 

1. Experienced
All coaches start out somewhere but this is your life, your money and your time, so choose one who already knows their stuff. Your coach should have lived life fully, created a life they love, practice what they preach and have a lot of coaching experience under their belt. I'm passionate about my coaching and I was able to coach 125 men and women during 3,050 sessions in just two years as a contract coach. I'm confident in my skills and strategies and absolutely love what I do.

2. Certified
A certified coach has trained in coaching skills and ethics of the coaching profession, and are legally bound by them. They have also been through a number of coaching sessions, hours of successful training and coaching examinations by master coaches. I loved my training so much that I took several additional classes that weren't even necessary for my certification and those are the tools I tend to use most with my clients.

3. Qualified
Many Life Coaches simply coach for money and don't walk their talk. Their lives and relationships are in shambles and the negative energy they unconsciously enter a coaching session with is a disservice to their client. Much of my coaching revolves around energy as it is the quickest way to deliberately create what you want. My clients learn about energy first, which sets us both up for success in our coaching relationship. Every day, I walk my talk in practicing my own personal growth. My personal tragedy-to-triumph story illustrates the spirit with which I live and coach.

4. A Good Fit
Some people click and some don't. Personality styles, values, beliefs and coaching styles come into play when choosing the best coach. Although a good Life Coach will pull you out of your comfort zone (that's the only time you're growing), you should feel comfortable enough with them that you can share your thoughts and feelings. I offer a 20-minute exploratory interview where we ask each other questions to determine if we feel a comfortable coach-client connection.

5. Fun
I think life coaching must be fun. My clients love the game plan we create for them together and there is humor in our sessions even if the subject isn't funny to begin with. Yes, we manage the serious things but I make certain the coaching sessions are inspiring and fun, especially if we're adjusting some life patterns. We retain 300% more of what we hear when we're laughing and that's a big deal.

Also, my clients tend to be less stressed about getting to our appointments because we meet online. No traffic, rushing, worrying about what they look like — just focus on improving their lives. This method has also allowed me to coach people from all over the world. My clients and I look forward to our sessions and end even more inspired and energized than we started.

What I Provide For My Life Coaching Clients:

1. Leadership
2. Accountability
3. Game plan
4. Knowledge of the game
5. Challenge
6. Honesty
7. Mentoring
8. The value of my knowledge

Personal development is an ongoing process. That doesn't mean you need a Life Coach forever. When you choose the right coach, you learn the skills to use whether you work with them long-term or not. Realize that you can make what seem to be miraculous changes in your life quicker than you think when you have the right coach with the right tools and follow the game plan.

Kelly Rudolph is a Certified Life Coach, Hypnotherapist and Founder of www.PositiveWomenRock.com. Are you tired of stress, lack of confidence and fear about your future? Kelly can help. Begin getting her free Life Strategies now.

More life coach advice on YourTango:

• Tap Into Success, Confidence & More With A Life Coach
• Why Do I Need A Life Coach?
• What Do Women Want?