There are no right or wrong coaching goals.

In my experience, some clients start coaching with a very clear goal or focus in mind, but many don’t and this can lead to unhelpful feelings of stress or pressure.

Clients with a clear goal may find that this shifts with increased self-awareness and clarity through coaching.  For example, a client may start a series of coaching sessions with goals based around a presenting need, such as issues with time management or procrastination. These are perfectly plausible goals, but, as coaching progresses, it may become apparent that the initial goal is a symptom of something else that runs much deeper - it has a root cause.  The client (with support from the coach) may then decide to shift focus to another deeper-rooted goal that they feel will result in a more transformational change.

For clients that don’t yet have a clear goal, this will become more apparent throughout the coaching process.  A client may be feeling or sense that there is a gap or an imbalance somewhere in their lives that they can’t quite put their finger on; they may be feeling stuck in a rut or ready for a change, but be unsure about what the change needs to be.  This is very common and often their goal/focus at the start of a coaching series is to get really clear on what they want, and need, the goals to be.

Goals don't always need to be tangible or about a physical/practical achievement. As a Confidence & Wellbeing Coach, many of my clients have feelings-based goals, where a desirable outcome might be for them to feel:

Happier.

More fulfilled.

Calmer.

Empowered.

More confident.

Inspired.

Seen.

Worthy.

Creative.

Valued.

More courageous.

Bold.

The point of all of this is to reassure you that you don’t need to have all the answers. 

There are no right or wrong coaching goals to have.

It’s common for the goal/focus to change and shift as coaching begins.  

Some things to consider when thinking about setting goals for coaching:

*Forget about the practicalities - don’t feel bound by SMART goals, the type we typically set in appraisals etc.  Within the coaching process, we work together to make goals specific and measurable in a way that works for you, but this isn’t a priority at the start of coaching.

*Let your imagination run free - coaching is the ideal place to be creative in goal setting.

*Focus on YOU – what do YOU want?  What do YOU need?  This is permission to put yourself first.

*What are your dreams?  Think big – tune into your daydreams!

*What makes you tick? What lights you up? What energises you?

*What do you want to have achieved in 1 month? 12 months? 5 years? At the end of your life? Pick a timescale that resonates with you and that you can easily visualise.

I hope this post has reassured you that it is absolutely fine to come to coaching without a clear goal or focus - many people do and that's the main reason they're being coached, so they can gain clarity on what needs to change for them to feel to feel good. As your coach, I will partner with you in this process and help you to identify what the gap is, and I will be there to support you every step of the way, to identify the goals that will allow you to make the progress that feels right for you.

I'm always happy to chat things through and I offer a free, no-obligation discovery call (chat) to discuss what your thoughts are, and how coaching may support you. If this sounds like something you'd like to try, get in touch by email: laurahuntercoaching@gmail.com or on my socials: @laurahuntercoaching