Real-Life Examples of Individuals Who have Thrived with Life Coaching
Nefeli Soteriou (USA)
Over the last ten years I have been helping clients from all walks of life, I put emphasis on athleticism and self-care; in my view these promote individuation and help optimise well-being. Change is one of the scariest things to do. It becomes less of a liability under the wing of a skilful professional.
Life Coaching emerged as a profession at the end of the twentieth century. History has already explained how intrigue in the human mind and behaviour dates back to the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Persia, Greece, China, and India. With the evolution of humankind, new studies emerged. Social Sciences and Psychology branched out as academic disciplines in the late eighteenth century.
Based on the Oxford English Dictionary a Life Coach is ‘a person who counsels and encourages clients on matters having to do with careers or personal challenges.’ The term is well accepted by popular culture in a field that is relatively new. My background is in Film and Media, Design, Education, Creativity and Behavioural Coaching for Mental Health. Firstly, it is a human being I consider myself to be, offering services for acquiring, or enhancing mental fitness. Most of the work I am helping clients with, involves teaching strategies to alter thinking patterns and develop new habits. I also provide well-rounded information on attaining body strength with exercise and nutrition, as I believe in the body and mind interconnection.
Transforming the mind is difficult and not impossible. A film of inner thoughts, beliefs, social and environmental influences is produced in client minds. And it takes courage to ask for help to change, and it is worth mentioning.
My goal is to make a difference, one person at a time. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy techniques are my indispensable tools. During invaluable time in mental health training, I worked with clients that needed to manage chronic health issues. A new cancer diagnosis, scheduling visitations for chemotherapy and feeling tired and sick after a treatment, an amputation, machine breathing assisting, are pragmatic truths of human suffering.
‘Know there is another try,’ I often share with my clients, when they can’t seem to see the way forward. And I remind them to allocate some time and celebrate each small win; it makes a difference in achieving their goals.
Unshakable to curveballs, I desire my clients to develop into. When our work together is done, shielded and equipped with strategies to solutions, they can handle the ebbs and flows of life with determination.
More often than not, I put my teacher’s hat on. In the capacity of being a mentor to filmmakers, I wear my academic hat on. Tutoring on the cinematic craft is relevant when a client needs to discuss film colouring or stage acting to complete a scene in development. Similarly, when clients have learning difficulties, our work together may rely on practice time.
At other times, I wear the interpersonal communication teacher on, and encourage client communication through social interaction. Alienation is the result of a fast world today; frankly, it does not have to be this way. On the flip side, generational patterns sometimes promote habitual comfort. It does not have to be that way either! I am there when boundaries need to be set and when family and friends are in my clients’ business.
Source: iCN Issue 50 (The Power of Life Coaching in Achieving Personal & Professional Success); pages 72-74
About Nefeli Soteriou
Nefeli Soteriou helps clients gain peace of mind and guides them to accelerate life problem solving. There is neither a big, nor a small problem she won’t solve when working together with a client. Learn more about Nefeli at https://www.nefelisoteriou.com
