In preparation for coaching, I ask every client to enquire of themselves what is working well for them in his/her life, and not so well, and to consider what they hope to achieve from coaching. One individual may have clear and specific answers to what he/she wants, or indeed doesn’t want; another might have just a vague feeling that things could and should be better than they are. There are no right or wrong answers.

If you are considering being coached by me, we would discuss this first to establish that life coaching is the best way to move your life forward for you at the moment. I would then ask you to undertake the following exercise to answer a few questions in advance of the first session. As a coach, it is important to me to understand how you view the world in general and yourself in particular, your unique way of thinking and unique way of interacting those around you.
These “pondering” questions are designed to stimulate your thinking in a particular way that will make our work together even more productive. Please answer each of these questions briefly, and as clearly and thoughtfully as possible. I am interested to know what has brought you to where you are now and helped shape you into the person that you are today. Mention events and people that have had a significant impact, both negative and positive, your biggest regrets, recurring themes in your life and any dreams/ambitions that you had when you were younger.

What three things would you rather not do, or have, in your life any more?

What three thoughts, or other ways, do you have that limit your success or effectiveness?

What three things are missing in your life that would make your life more fulfilling?

What three things do you really value and appreciate about your life?

What three things do you really value and appreciate about yourself?

What three new thoughts about yourself would really transform your life?

If there were a secret passion in your life, what would it be?

These questions will help both of us understand the direction of your personal coaching destination. Don't worry if you do not have all the answers yet!

What I would like to achieve from my coaching is:

My current expectations of coaching are:

The areas and current challenges that I want coaching to assist with are:

If you trusted your coach enough to tell her how to manage you most effectively, what tips would you give?

If you had a five year goal and you had the continuing services of a coach to help you make it happen (and money were not an issue), what would that goal be? What difference would working with a coach make?

What three accomplishments must, in your opinion, occur during your lifetime so that you will consider your life to have been satisfying and well lived – a life of few all know regrets?