Why coaching, why now?
Last Year, in My Pajamas at 2 AM…
A year ago, I wouldn’t have called myself a coach.
There I was, bleary-eyed, probably overdue for a shower, FaceTiming my best friend about the soul-crushing pressure to optimize everything. Somewhere mid-rant, it hit me: I’d turned into my own worst coach—looping through anxious monologues, no outside perspective, zero clarity.
And that’s when I realized: maybe that’s exactly why coaching matters. Not because I had it all figured out—but because I knew how badly we all need a sounding board when our internal compass goes haywire.
Alright, Fine. Call Me a Coach. (Seriously, It Fits Now)
A year ago, the word "coach" felt like showing up to a punk show in a polyester suit – stiff, awkward, definitely sniff-worthy. I heard of folks getting into coaching—career jumpers, burned-out artists, even crypto bros—but I kept my distance. The whole thing seemed tangled up with hollow positivity and rah-rah clichés that make my teeth itch.
Then the world went sideways. AI started writing poetry better than I could, offices turned into dusty museums, and my screen time report became a cry for help. Suddenly, coaching didn't feel like a trendy label. It felt like grabbing a life raft in the middle of a weird, unexpected flood.
Why We’re All Suddenly Paying Strangers to Talk to Us
If the old anchors—jobs, institutions, the usual—are dragging, where do we look? Turns out, maybe to a focused conversation:
The Career Ladder Collapsed (and Landed in a Weird Place)
Remember climbing the rungs for that gold watch? Yeah, that ladder's mostly firewood now. People are bouncing between jobs like they're on pogo sticks[cite and robots are eyeing the spreadsheets.
Working from the kitchen table made everyone ask, "Is *this* the grand plan?". Coaching has become the design studio where you draft a work-life that doesn't feel like wearing shoes two sizes too small.
We Built a Lonely Planet (With Great Wi-Fi)
We're hyper-connected yet weirdly isolated. More than half of us feel lonely regularly, even the ones constantly online. Turns out, endless scrolling doesn't cure it; texting isn't the same as *talking*. People are starving for undivided attention, for someone to listen without just planning their rebuttal. Coaching, basically, is that.
A real conversation.
Knowing Isn’t Doing (Otherwise We'd All Be Perfect)
We've all got that pile of self-help books, those half-watched webinars. Insight is great, but it doesn't magically change anything. Reading about fitness won't make you fit. Coaching is the accountability partner, the one who asks, "Okay, great idea... now what's the *actual* first step?" It helps turn those 'ahas' into action.
It Turns Out, Being Human Still Matters (Maybe More Than Ever)
AI can draft your emails, sure. But it can't (yet) hold space for messy human feelings, navigate complex team dynamics, or have that spark of genuine curiosity. The skills that truly matter for whatever jobs come next aren't easily coded: empathy, adaptability, creativity, real communication.
Coaching is kind of the practice ground for exactly those things.
Okay, But Why Me Doing This?
Good question. Why jump into *this* fray?
I Like Clearing the Fog. That "What the heck do I do *now*?" feeling? It's everywhere. Life's moving fast, making people feel paralyzed. Coaching is like hitting pause, finding a quiet spot to breathe, and figuring out the next step *on purpose*. I know stuck. Sometimes one good question is all it takes to see the way forward.
I Dig Catalyzing Capability. People aren't broken projects needing fixes; they're usually brilliant but tangled. A career change, a leadership snag, finally launching that weird, wonderful idea – it's about unlocking what's already there, not installing new software. Helping someone find their own "killer app"? That sounds like fascinating work.
It Feels Like Riding the Wave, Not Fighting It. The old hustle-and-grind playbook is worn out. Coaching feels like part of what's emerging – people taking ownership, writing their own scripts instead of waiting for outdated systems. It's not some niche add-on anymore; it's becoming fundamental to how people grow and decide things.
7 Quick Realities Fueling This Whole Thing
$25 Billion. That's the coaching industry's projected size in 2025—up nearly 70% since 2019. It's not niche[cite: 9].
65% Searching: That many workers are looking for a new gig this year. The Great Reshuffle is real.
300 Million Jobs. That's how many roles worldwide might get shaken up by AI. Adaptability isn't optional.
58% Lonely. Over half of Americans report feeling lonely often. We need real connection[cite: 19].
Confidence & Action. 80% of coaching clients report more self-confidence; 70% see better work performance. It works.
The Unknown Future. 85% of 2030's jobs don't even exist yet. Human skills are the constant.
No Magic Wand Needed: You don't need a guru certificate. Curiosity, empathy, and asking good questions seem to be the core ingredients (although a narrative practictioner certification helps, check)
(Pro tip: Just asking "What feels most important *today*?" can be surprisingly clarifying.)
In Conclusion
So, if this rambling struck a chord—if you're feeling that itch for clarity yourself, or maybe even thinking about grabbing the coach hat—here’s the takeaway:
This boom is happening *because people need it. The demand for real guidance isn't going away.
AI, shaky jobs, feeling disconnected – these are features, not bugs, of modern life. Coaching is one tool to navigate the maze.
For me, stepping into this isn't just a pivot; it feels like answering the call of *right now*. Maybe it's an invitation you've been waiting for, too.
Ready to figure out your next move? Drop me a line – let’s navigate this weird, shifting world together.
