Under normal circumstances, a life coach who has been properly trained has a good working grasp of what life coaching boundaries look like. However, even the most experienced life coaches encounter moments when it’s challenging to know just where to draw the line.
In order for a confidence coach to avoid sticky situations, it’s helpful to lay out some ground rules with clients upfront. There’s a reason that having coaching agreements in place is considered to be a best practice, and this is it!
We all hear about the requirement for boundaries in personal relationships. As certified life coaches, we probably even assist our clients to establish boundaries in their work as well as personal lives. However, why can it be challenging for life coaches to set boundaries?
As like skills coaches, we concentrate on being of service to clients, providing life coaching services, and giving our time, energy as well as knowledge in order to help them lead a more rewarding and joyous life. We act as their sounding boards for some of their most personal and exposed issues, thoughts, and worries. Owing to this, it may be tempting to give a little more time here, and a little more latitude there, in the spirit of being of a lot more service to them.
What Is The Problem With This?
When your boundaries are weak as a life mentor, you are left extremely vulnerable to individuals who take advantage of your time, strength, and resources. This leaves you feeling depleted and not able to give your all to any client, particularly to yourself. Most clients will not do this maliciously or even consciously. It’s just what takes place when you don’t set clear, strong boundaries around your work.
Healthy boundaries in the confidence coach-client relationship mean that there are crystal clear limits on what is acceptable behaviour for both sides. It gives both parties the opportunity to know what to expect of the other, resulting in a fulfilling and – hopefully – wildly successful life coaching relationship.
How To Manage Life Coach Boundaries?
Write Them Out
Don’t make the assumption that your client knows what you expect of them! Prepare a document that explains all of your policies as well as procedures. Then, ask your client to review and sign it. If an issue comes up, you will be able to refer to the document that they have agreed to. Being clear up front may save you a lot of time and anguish in the long run.
Watch The Clock
Begin and end on time, all the time. Unless there is a special circumstance, making sure that you keep firm on your schedule every session demonstrates that you value your time as well as that of your client.
Select Clients Carefully
Just because a person wants life coaching doesn’t mean that they are the correct client for you. If you notice any red flags (not being on time for consultation calls, calls or emails late or often), you do not need to sign on to work with them.
Choose Your Hours
It can be very helpful, as a confidence coach, to include your work hours in your email signature, contracts as well as any other documents you give to clients. If you identify particular work hours for yourself, stick to them, and then don’t feel forced to respond after hours, even if you do have the time.
Don’t Feel Bad
Setting boundaries, as a life mentor, is not about restriction or closing off your clients. It can actually have the opposite effect – establishing a more powerful coach-client connection. Resist the urge to feel guilty about setting boundaries with your clients.
Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy
Do you want to study life coaching? If you do then you need to do our Life Coaching Certification. Get a Life Coach Certification with Trifocus Fitness Academy today! 