Coaching: An Investment in Yourself

When you make the decision to invest in coaching, you are making the decision to invest in yourself. This investment ensures you are setting aside the time and focus required to successfully achieve your goals.

Before you examine the time and financial investments of coaching, consider the following questions:

• What do I want to get from a coaching engagement?
  • Determining this can help you decide whether coaching is a worthwhile investment for you.
• Is there a cost to you in not focusing in and achieving your goals?
  • Are your goals expendable to you? What will that cost you in your life?
• What is your readiness to commit to making real change?
  • Consider the time and energy you would be willing to put towards realizing your goals.

Answers to these questions can help you determine whether you are ready for coaching, as well as what you are willing to invest.

Investment of Time

The length of your sessions and engagement is really up to you. On average, a coaching engagement typically lasts four to six months, and each coaching session is one to two hours long, according to data from the 2020 ICF Global Coaching Study. In addition to the sessions with your coach, you should also plan to spend some time between sessions completing homework, reflecting, and preparing for upcoming sessions.

Your coach can help you develop a schedule that will work best for you, taking into account what your goals are, your ability to implement new skills, and the time you can dedicate to the coaching process. This is something you can discuss and agree upon during the initial contracting phase of your engagement.

Financial Investment

Average coaching fees are dependent upon what type of coaching is being sought and who is paying for coaching. You may pay for coaching yourself, but increasingly, organizations are investing in their employees’ coaching. If you are unsure whether your organization will pay for your coaching, just ask. And even when your employer does pay for coaching, note that what you discuss with your coach will remain confidential.

By getting clear on what you want, you will have a better idea on what you’re willing to invest. You can then search for coaches within the price point you’re willing to pay and agree on a time investment.