I didn’t start out to be a “life coach.” I’d always longed to do some good in the world, but basically, I was just trying to create a meaningful, authentic life for myself. I was startled when people began asking me to teach them the methods I’d devised to cope with my own personal and professional challenges.

I see life coaching as something that arose from a gap in the culture where things began changing so quickly that traditional institutions couldn’t keep up. People didn’t have a place to go for support when they were navigating change, so [...]

Our world is changing more rapidly than ever, and old institutions and patterns of life that we’ve been trained to believe in are being uprooted. Life coaching sprang up in response to the deep need people have for support and guidance through tumultuous times like these—and the demand for coaches has never been higher.

As a Harvard-trained sociologist, bestselling author, and veteran life coach, I’ve witnessed this growing demand through my own coaching practice and my life coach training programs.

Right now, there are more uncertified coaches out there than ever before, so earning a certification becomes [...]

Now that you’re familiar with the Wayfinder archetype—and perhaps feel you may be a Wayfinder yourself—let’s explore how to find the right life coach for you.

Before searching for a coach, take some time to reflect on what you hope to achieve through coaching. Are you looking to improve your career, relationships, or personal growth? Understanding your goals will help you find a coach whose expertise and life experience aligns with your needs.

Life coaching encompasses various styles and methodologies. Wayfinder Life Coaching, for example, [...]

A Life Coach helps individuals navigate the complexities of modern life and find meaning and purpose in their lives.

I see life coaching as a role that arose at our time in history because people are swamped with information and bewildered by constant, accelerating change. Traditional institutions like religion and academia weren’t designed to deal with these conditions.

The International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines life coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires people to maximize their personal and professional potential.”

In my Wayfinder Life Coach Training, an ICF-accredited program, we define coaching [...]