Life Coach Interview: Linda Goldfarb
Life Coach Interview: Linda Goldfarb
Q1.)How did you get into life coaching?
A1) First, let me say, thank you very much Cheryl for the opportunity to be here sharing with your readers. I’ve actually been ‘life coaching’ for over 20 years, I just didn’t realize it had a title… go figure.
Getting into coaching was a very natural process for me. I’m the personality type that loves to equip and encourage others for success and when given an audience I would do just that. As a professional speaker and radio personality, I have built in client possibilities. Many of my clients have heard me speak, via the radio, at conferences, seminars, etc. Therefore, in most cases, we have connected before we begin our coaching journey.
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Q2.)What’s your favorite part about being a life coach?
A2) The end result! Seeing a client stand taller, walking with more confidence, and truly believing they can do ‘it’! It’s not about what I’ve done, it’s about what my client has accomplished… purposed forward motion.
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Q3.)What are the biggest misconceptions about Life Coaching?
A3) I think the first one is that LC is modified counseling. Life Coaching is a totally different and unique equipping-animal. Counselors walk people through past hurts, emotional trauma, etc, supplying their clients with a means to healing. Life coaches don’t work with the wounded, we empower the healthy to next level results-based actions.
As a transitional relationship specialist, I help women, parents, and grandparents find hope and possibilities when life changes. Their not suffering in their situation, they’re just stuck in it. As a LC, I open windows of have you considered and they decide which one they want to look through. Once they tell me their goals, I offer options, they choose the option that fits them best, then we set deadlines, the process continues until their goal is met.
Another thing many people do not realize, is that LC is project based. Life coaching can last for one month, three months, six months, etc. It’s based on the need of the client, specifically the length of time it will take to accomplish his or her goal. I really like that, as this allows me to see results with multiple clients on an ongoing basis.
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Q4.)How do you incorporate God or biblical principles into your life coaching?
This is the best part of being a board certified Christian Life Coach… I’m given permission by my clients to incorporate biblical truth into every situation. Therefore, when my clients and I discuss options, we immediately weigh in God’s standard to see where possible choices line up. Though I draw on my personal life experiences during our coaching journey, I’m not sharing my opinion as truth, I’m pointing to God’s Word which is truth.
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Q5.)What is the biggest benefit that your clients rave about after working with you?
A5) They have hope… I guess to some, you might think, what does that mean? Simply put, Hope is the doorway to endless possibilities… without it, forward motion ceases to exist. Hope is the spiritual equivalent to our emotional “I can do this!”
When my clients step out on their own, they are stronger, more confident and able to insert windows-of-possibilities into spaces that previously held blank walls. Once a client embraces their potential to change… they are never the same. Stuck becomes a temporary place they seldom visit. It is no longer a destination spot that sucks the life out of you.
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Q6.)In order to get the most from life coaching, what advice would you give to someone looking to become a coaching client?
Great question Cheryl! The key to a positive and effective coaching experience is making sure your life coach is a great, not just good match for you. Take the time to meet up with him or her before investing in their bottom line.
Normally, a coach worth her salt will offer a free 30-60 minute session via the phone to see if she believes she can help the potential client reach his or her desired goals. This also gives the might-be client a chance to see how the relationship would flow as well.
As a client you certainly want a coach who comes alongside your desires, dreams and goals. You do not want a coach who tells you what to do… this is important… a professional coach uses tools to help the client realize the steps they can take towards their goals, then they walk the journey together. If a coach begins telling you, “Okay, you need to do step xyz and it will result in abc…” you need to run! There is no cookie cutter coaching… that’s the glory of the business. For each new client, you experience a fresh new journey… together.
The coach should have a contract stating the goals the client wants to meet, the projected timeline, and the cost. There are no hidden fees in a professional coaching relationship.
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Q7.)What current project(s) are you working on?
A7) I’m currently co-writing a book with Dr. Rolla Bradley Jr. LPC-S, called, “The I C.A.R.E. Guide for Parents: Empower Your Child to Succeed in 5 Days… through Intentional Communication, Affirmation, Redirection and Expectation” In essence it is a coaching guide for busy parents who care about their child but don’t know how to…and I’m extremely excited about it!
My husband and I co-teach a biblically based parenting class each week, which I founded, called Parenting Awesome Kids. We currently have two other couples teaching alongside of us. Our parents range in age from early 20’s to mid 50’s, it’s a grace filled time of encouragement, mentoring and coaching.
I’m honored to be listed among more than 45 coaching contributors in the newly released book, “Coaching the Coach: Life Coaching Stories and Tips for Transforming Lives” Compiled by Georgia Shaffer, it’s available everywhere.
I personally coach women and parenting couples.
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Q8.)Any final thoughts about sharing your life coaching with my blog readers?
A8) Yes, thank you. If your reading this because you are contemplating whether or not you need a life coach let me help put a couple things at ease for you. First, you’re in great company… CEO’s of successful businesses have coaches, high-acheving professionals have coaches, and the most successful coaches have coaches. Why? Because hiring a professional life coach is not a sign of weakness, on the contrary, it is a sign that you are ready to move beyond what you have attained on your own. If you desire more out of life, take the time to invest in yourself to get there.
We stand on the truth from God’s word, “‘For I know the plans I have for you’, declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'”
You, my brother or sister are valuable to God, therefore value yourself enough to step out with courage, and invite a life coach to journey with you. You’re worth it!
LIFE COACH BIO: Linda Goldfarb
Linda Goldfarb is widely recognized as a bold, passionate, and transparent communicator of Hope & Possibility. She empowers women, parents & grandparents to move forward with hope & possibility when life changes. Linda has four adult children, six grandchildren, and three awesome country dogs. Sam her hubby and Linda enjoy spending time with their family, embracing the wonder of God’s great outdoors, co-teaching parenting classes in their church and helping others embrace their faith-walk by outwardly loving each other, inwardly staying REAL, and living for Jesus… one day at a time.
Find out more about Linda at www.lindagoldfarb.com
Email Linda at icare4parents@gmail.com
Connect with Linda on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/linda.goldfarb], Pinterest [http://pinterest.com/goldntexas/] , or Twitter [https://twitter.com/Lindagoldfarb]
(c) 2013 Cheryl Cope
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