What is coaching (life, relationship, spirituality, etc.)?

 

Coaching is for anyone looking to bridge the gap between where they are and where they want to be in their personal and professional lives. Coaches help their clients design the life they want, bring out their clients' own brilliance and resources so that they can achieve excellence and create purposeful, extraordinary lives. It combines thinking and talking with concrete actions to move you forward. With a coach beside you, you will:

* Clarify your vision.
* Create and meet purposeful goals.
* Define specific action steps.
* Build accountability.
* Take sustainable action.
* Work through fears, obstacles and self-doubt.
* Develop a more balanced life.

 

Is this a new field? I haven't heard about it before.

 

According to Wikipedia, coaching has been around in the business world since the 1930's. As a whole, it is influenced by many other fields of study including those of personal development, adult education, psychology (sports, clinical, developmental, organizational, social and industrial) and other organizational or leadership theories and practices. Since the mid 1990's, coaching has developed into a more independent discipline with intensive industry training standards.

 

Coaching is one of the fastest growing professions in the world, with thousands of people regularly using a coach to develop themselves and turn their dreams into reality.

 

Click here to learn about Marcel's coaching specialties.

 

Is life coaching a form of counseling or psychotherapy?

 

No. Psychotherapy generally deals with emotional/behavioral problems and disruptive situations - and seeks to bring the client to normal function by focusing on his dysfunction.

Coaching deals with functional persons who want to move toward higher function in order to quickly reach goals, remove obstacles and achieve excellence in their lives.

Dialogue between a therapy client and a coaching client differs in this manner:

THERAPY CLIENT: "I just don't know what is the matter with me--I'm so depressed. I'm having troubles just getting up in the morning, and I can't stop crying."

COACHING CLIENT: "I'm not sure where to go next; I want to have more time with my family, but I'm just not sure how to make it work and keep this job."

 

Does life coaching involve any religion?

Unless you specifically requested life coaching sessions to support your religious or spiritual beliefs, then, no. However, Marcel Schwantes does offer spiritual life coaching if you're looking for guidance and direction with your spirituality and faith.

 

Who is a typical client?

 

Any individual seeking to explore their innermost desires, and experience life-changing breakthroughs. Clients come from all walks of life: CEOs, entrepreneurs, IT professionals, teachers, real estate agents, actors, musicians, stay-at-home moms, college students, pastors and church members.

 

What makes a coach so valuable?

 

Coaches are valuable to the change process because they have training in facilitating change. Coaches follow a process that brings immediate improvements while building the foundation needed to more easily implement future improvements. A coach who has never met you before can give you an entirely new perspective to examine your life with. And because many of the coaches were on the receiving end of life coaching in the past themselves, they make excellent guides along the road to change.

 

What are some of the benefits of coaching?

 

1. It helps clients take new action in their lives.

2. It helps clients generate incredible results consistent with the life they want to live.

3. It helps clients develop self-awareness.

4. It gives clients a greater clarity of their mission, values and purpose.

5. It helps clients evaluate where they are from a "whole life" perspective--career, health, finances, relationship, spirituality, personal growth, leisure, family, education.

 

How does the coaching process work?

 

Simple. After we agree to work together, we will meet weekly by phone (unless you live locally). Sessions last from 30 minutes up to 1 hour, depending on the specific needs and requests of that day. See the packages page to choose one that works for you.

Typically, an initial free assessment will be taken of your personal strengths, interests, values and the goals you want to achieve. This is used as a "road map" that will help you identify and clarify the future and life you really want.

In each meeting, the client chooses the focus of conversation, while the coach listens and contributes observations and questions. This interaction creates clarity and moves the client into action. Coaching accelerates the client's progress by providing greater focus and awareness of choice. Coaching concentrates on where clients are now and what they are willing to do to get where they want to be in the future.

Results are a matter of the client's intentions, choices and actions, supported by the coach's efforts and application of the coaching process. As you and your coach dialogue together, the coach will continue to facilitate a framework to help you create new possibilities, support your ideas and overcome obstacles.

 

Do you coach using live internet chat, like Skype?

 

Yes! Skype has changed the way we now communicate.  It's a great way to save money since Skype calls/video calls and IMing to anyone, anywhere in the world is now free. Whether you're in Sydney, Australia or Seattle, Washington,  you can be coached without spending a penny on your coaching calls. Interested in a free coaching session over Skype to determine if coaching is for you? Contact Marcel by email to set up a time or try connecting with him on Skype now!

 

 

 

What's the length of a coaching term?

 

Most clients prefer to spend between 4-6 months in the coaching process because change takes time. Clients in long-tern coaching agreements naturally experience far greater clarity, breakthroughs and achieve more results. Marcel's packages are designed to offer a good value to enable this process to happen for clients. Click here to see which packages best fits your needs.

 

What are yours qualifications to coach me or my organization?

 

Marcel Schwantes has over fifteen years experience in the areas of personal, career, leadership and organizational coaching. He has a Masters Degree in Organizational Psychology and is a graduate of the Institute for Life Coach Training, an accredited training program by the International Coach Federation. He is also a Certified PeopleMap^TM Trainer, currently training companies and organizations of all sizes nationwide to improve their communication and relationships. He has logged hundreds of coaching hours since 1995 for both individuals, professionals and organizational leaders. Click here to read his bio page.

 

What are your fees?

 

Fees can run anywhere from $99.00 (personal coaching) to $200.00 (corporate/business coaching) for a one-time individual session. But the best "bang for the buck" are long term monthly sessions. Packages between 4-6 months will work the best for you because they are discounted heavily, sometimes up to $125.00 from the standard rate. See the packages page for one that best fits your needs. Since Marcel is flexible and looks at every individual on a case-by-case basis, just call him if you're serious, and he will work with you!

 

What if I decide not to finish it, can I get a refund?

 

Yes. We'll both know if you're not getting value for coaching. You'll get a full refund for any unused portion of a monthly package.

 

I'm not sure life coaching is for me. Do you offer free sessions so I can try it out?

 

Absolutely! Contact Marcel and he will set up a complimentary 30-45 minute introductory phone consultation that will help you assess your situation and identify some steps to take. You may also want to take advantage of free assessments Marcel offers to help you determine if you need life coaching. Click here for more and check back for new assessments.

 

I'm ready to go now. How do I get started?

 

Click here to learn more about which coaching option fits your needs. Then jump over to the packages page and choose one that's right for you. Once you decide, contact Marcel to discuss fees. After that, you'll be sent a secure PayPal transaction link for payment (optional, as you can also pay with a check by mail), then you'll receive your Welcome Packet by email.