Taking the leap: why giving coaching a try might be your best next move

Lis Whybrow

Ever watched someone transform their career or life and wondered what their secret was? Often, the answer is surprisingly simple: they got themselves a coach. Not a sports coach shouting from the sidelines (though there's a time and place for that energy!), but a different type of coach: someone who helped them tap into potential they didn't even know they had, cheered them on and helped them to be accountable for those changes they wanted to make.

It's not as serious as you think

First things first - coaching doesn't have to be an intense, life-altering commitment. Think of it more as having possible a one-off or maybe having regular conversations with someone who's really good at asking the right questions. As Maya Angelou put it: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

Good coaching creates that feeling of being truly seen and understood, often for the first time in your life.

Finding your own answers (they were there all along)

"The important thing is not to stop questioning," Einstein once said. That's essentially what coaching is about - creating space for questions you haven't allowed yourself to ask up until now.

Unlike your well-meaning friend who jumps straight to opinions and maybe uninvited advice, a coach helps you dig deep and discover your own solutions. There's something magical about those "aha" moments when they're yours alone. They stick. They inspire action in ways external advice rarely does.

For the good times too (not just crisis mode)

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now." - Chinese Proverb

Many people think coaching is only for when you're struggling or at a personal or career crossroads. Not true! Some of the most productive coaching happens when things are going rather well but you're curious about what "even better" might look like. Olympic athletes don't get coaches because they're bad at their sport - they get coaches because they're committed to excellence, they might need to make a few tweaks here and there and need that challenge and encouragement their coach brings.

The judgment-free zone

"Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response." - Viktor Frankl

In a world full of opinions and instant feedback, coaching offers something rare: a space without judgment. It's somewhere you can think out loud, explore ideas that might seem ridiculous at first glance, and experiment with new approaches. This freedom often unlocks creativity and confidence that spills over into every aspect of life.

Starting small

As Richard Branson says, "If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later!"

You don't need to commit to years of coaching to see if it's right for you. At Start Here Coaching Collective we offer sample or taster sessions or short-term packages. We believe that insights and transformation can sometimes happen very quickly. Other times it takes a little longer. It might be the most valuable hour you spend this month – or it might not be your thing. Either way, you'll learn something about yourself even in that initial discussion. And if you try out one of us and realise we’re not the right fit we can recommend someone else within the collective who might be a better match. We want you to find a match that works well for you.

Finding your match

"Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher." - Oprah Winfrey

Chemistry matters. The right coach for you feels like someone you can be honest with, who energises rather than drains you, and who strikes that perfect balance between supporting and challenging you. Trust your gut when you meet potential coaches – the connection should feel right.

What if the only thing standing between you and your next level of success or satisfaction is simply a new perspective? As Proust wisely noted, "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes."

Coaching might just be the new pair of eyes you didn't know you needed. Why not have a look and see if one of us might be the right match? Why not make that leap of faith and give it a go? Transformation might be only a click and a conversation away.