Life coaching isn’t only for moments of difficulty or major life upheaval. Coaching can help anyone who wants to grow, develop and move closer to their potential — whether in work, relationships or life as a whole.
Around 30 years ago, when I was at the start of my personal development journey, a single comment from a friend reframed coaching for me as something people choose when things are going well. Rather than when they are struggling, they seek coaching because they want guidance, perspective, and support to become more of who they already are.
Here’s what happened to change the course of my life…
The comment that changed how I saw coaching
The story begins when a good friend encouraged me to try a well-known “transformational weekend” — the kind of intensive, high-energy experience that claims to offer life-changing insights in three days.
I wasn’t keen. I’d already experienced a heavy-handed sales pitch, and I wasn’t excited about putting myself in a room where I might be pressured into more of the same.
But then she said something I have never forgotten.
“If you were a brilliant athlete, would you expect to win an Olympic gold medal on your own?”
And that really hit home. If even the world’s most elite athletes have coaches — not because they’re failing, but because they’re committed to fulfilling their potential — then why not everyone else? And ‘everyone else’ included ‘me’.
This isn’t just a metaphor. Research from positive psychology and coaching science consistently shows that guided reflection, structured support, and regular accountability improve personal growth outcomes. For example, empirical studies have found that coaching enhances self-awareness and engagement, and meta-analyses show that coaching contributes to improved performance, goal attainment and psychological well-being compared with non-coaching conditions. Longitudinal research also suggests that the effects of coaching often endure well after the formal engagement has ended.
Her second line landed even deeper:
“If you want to win the gold medal of life, you need someone in your corner to help you get there.”
At the time, I didn’t fully understand it — but it planted a seed.
The myth that “I should be able to do this alone”
Something I’ve noticed in life, and as a coach, is that people often believe they should be able to sort everything out on their own.
Many of us are taught to take pride in our independence, to push through, to cope — and to quietly manage life, no matter how heavy that might feel.
But the truth is:
- We all have blind spots,
- We all fall into familiar patterns,
- We all benefit from reflection, and
- We all grow faster if we have support.
Coaching isn’t about fixing what’s “broken”; it’s about uncovering what’s possible.
Coaching helps you get closer to your potential
Some of the most capable people use coaching not because they’re struggling but because they want to:
- plan the years ahead,
- use their strengths with intention,
- align with their values,
- stop repeating old habits,
- feel grounded and purposeful,
- make life and work feel sustainable, or
- grow deliberately, not reactively
Coaching amplifies what’s already within you. It helps you become a more intentional version of yourself.
Quick insights spark change — but coaching sustains it
We’ve all had big “aha” moments in life. We know how the sudden clarity feels, the burst of motivation, and that powerful shift in how you see things.
Sustaining change, however, requires more than a single moment of insight. This is where coaching can make a real difference, because it:
- turns insight into action – breakthroughs can open the door, but coaching helps you walk through it.
- builds sustainable habits – not a dramatic, short-lived change, but ongoing progression to get you close to the life you want.
- offers accountability without the pressure – with coaching, you get support without judgement or shame.
- identifies your strengths – this is especially important for people with ADHD, where natural abilities often go unrecognised.
- creates space for honest, gentle self-discovery – the kind of space you rarely get anywhere else.
Potential isn’t a finish line — it’s a direction
These are the changes you might experience when you get closer to your potential:
- You feel more like yourself.
- You begin to work in ways that support your brain.
- You’re more able to let go of “shoulds”.
- You can make decisions with more clarity.
- You learn how to protect your energy.
- You rediscover what truly matters to you.
- You start taking your growth seriously.
Sometimes getting closer to potential can result from a quiet change, and sometimes it can be dramatic – and both matter, as any step in the right direction is a good one.
And now, the big reveal…
Remember that high-intensity “transformational weekend” I was reluctant to do?
I actually signed up – and I showed up! Yes, I got the sales pitch as feared, but I didn’t bite. Beyond that, though, I had to admit that it was impactful. It sparked insight and lit a fire that’s never gone out.
However, although it felt like a wonderful, quick fix, propelling me towards my life destination, I found it was hard to sustain change on my own. That quick fix started the journey, but I needed further support to make it last.
This is where coaching can really help, as it enables you to integrate insight into your life. To turn potential into progress, where that spark can become a steady flame.
That, to me, is the real gold medal of life.
A gentle invitation
If part of you wonders what you’re capable of with the right support, consider this:
What if coaching isn’t for when things fall apart — but for when you’re ready for things to evolve?
My coaching space is open whenever you are. If you want to have a chat with absolutely no obligation to take it further, book a free 30-minute discovery with me…
Recommended Reading
If you’d like to explore the ideas behind growth, potential, and sustainable personal development, these are brilliant starting points:
Mindset: Changing The Way You Think To Fulfil Your Potential (Carol Dweck) – A foundational book on growth mindset and the science of human potential.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40745.Mindset
Atomic Habits (James Clear) – A practical, evidence-based guide to building habits that actually stick.
https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits
The Power of Moments (Chip Heath & Dan Heath) – Explores why big breakthrough moments matter — and why they don’t last without reinforcement.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34068530-the-power-of-moments
The Coaching Habit (Michael Bungay Stanier) – A brilliant, accessible introduction to how coaching conversations create sustainable change.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29342515-the-coaching-habit
Dare to Lead (Brené Brown) – A deeper dive into vulnerability, courage, and what it means to grow with intention.
https://brenebrown.com/book/dare-to-lead/
