How to Fit Training to become a Coach into your busy life?

Many LCA students begin their studies while in a full-time job, many are parents and have other day-to-day responsibilities on the side.

So how do they fit the study around their busy lives?

If you are a LCA student looking for some tips or simply interested in coaching but you’re not sure how you could find the time for this, this article is for you. Read on!

We could share with you time- management tips but you might have heard plenty from your friends. If procrastination is a challenge for you, you’ll find key strategies for that here.

And if you want to learn more about managing your time depending on which personality type you are, we have you covered. 

But that’s not what this article is about. We believe that the truly best strategies will come from those who have been through the same road and faced the same challenges as you do: The Graduates of The Life Coaching Academy.

Here are the best tips to manage studying with The Life Coaching Academy, all while having a full-time job, parenting, caring for others and more!

1. Go at your own pace. 

When you start the Professional Coach ICF program, you might have an idea or an expectation of how much time you should take to qualify. And while setting a deadline for yourself is recommended, setting a deadline for yourself after you have all your information is even better!

These are just some of the students who said that their top tip for others is to take the time you need to become the best coach possible.

“My top tips for those currently in training with LCA would be to go at your own pace. Everyone is different and it is important that you make the most of it.

“Listen to yourself and what feels right for you. Take as long as you need to absorb the training, it’s not so much about that piece of paper at the end of it and more about enjoying the journey, the learning and the experience.

“Enjoy the process, don’t rush it and if life gives you lemons, keep going. It’s all part of the learning and experience that will help your personal and professional growth.”

“I took longer to qualify than a lot of fellow LCA students that I knew or who I’d spoken to. I had to work on my mindset when I saw others moving a lot faster than I was.

So, my top tip to those looking to qualify or are currently training to become a professional coach is to complete the training in the way that works for you and at your own pace!”

2. Reach out to the community. 

Home study is not alone study with The Life Coaching Academy.

Get support, advice, or simply friendly words from your fellow students. If you are a student, make sure you join the LCA Student Facebook group and make use of the Student Portal.

Utilise your Student Support person to suit you.  Schedule regular calls if that suits or email reminders between you and your student support person.

3. Get organised.

“Stay on top of the paperwork! It can take a little more time after a session/webinar/etc., but it will be so much easier to stay on track if you complete your record sheets as soon as possible. “

“I would highly recommend keeping yourself organised and complete all the paperwork on time.

4. Start coaching.

“Start coaching ASAP! Just do it – the sooner you get going, the quicker you learn, the quicker you qualify.”

“If you are currently training with the academy, my top tip would be to coach! There is a lot to learn, but you’ll only find your ‘flow’ through the actual practice. So, without further ado, and without putting too much pressure on yourself, take the leap and get as much experience as you can.”

5. Get yourself a coach. 

“Coach as often as you can, allow yourself to fail, be kind to yourself and reflect on the learning. Get yourself a coach, make it a priority! “

6. Make use of the resources available. 

“Utilise the Portal and make use of the resources, templates, examples available to you”.

7. Follow the 10 Step Plan.

“Follow the 10 Step Plan and mark off each step as you complete them.  Complete all your paperwork after each session and put it all together for when you reach the 10^th step”.

8. Assessment Control Document.

“This is your Guide to all assessments, information regarding assessments and aspects per assessment.  This is what you should be referring to on a daily basis!”.

9. Set a goal to complete training. 

“I found it very useful to consistently work on my training as this kept it at the forefront of my mind. Space the Training Days, mentoring sessions and assessments out nice and evenly over a set amount of time.

Connect with several other coaches who are studying at a similar pace to you so you can go on the journey together, which always makes it more fun.  

Don’t be afraid to have a go, make mistakes and tweak processes as you go along.

10. Reflect on your achievement. 

“Be proud of you. Keep reminding yourself that you are unique and this will enable you to connect with a client in a way that another person would not be able to. “

11. Find the best way of learning for you. 

“I’m an auditory learner so recording my sessions with the clients’ permission helped, as well as doing a 3-way coaching triad to get feedback and learn from others coaching styles. “

12. Trust the process.

“Begin to recognise what your own limiting beliefs are and modify them to continue trusting you and the process “

We hope these tips from fellow students have given you some ideas you can implement.

2021 has begun – A time for reflection but also a time for projection.

Would you like to make a positive and lasting difference to others, just like the graduates of The Life Coaching Academy?

Would you like to have a coaching business you can run from the comfort of your own home?

This may be your time!