Life Coaching: 9 Misconceptions That Need Clearing Up
When I say I’m a Life Coach*, the response is often met with a raised eyebrow or a polite pause.
I understand the scepticism. Coaching has grown rapidly in visibility — and not all of it for the right reasons. There are brilliant, committed professionals doing meaningful, skilled work, and there are others who’ve completed a short course and immediately started selling “transformation” online.
Much of the doubt surrounding coaching is unspoken, but it’s there. It appears in the form of memes, jokes, or an underlying sense that coaching might be a little… fluffy.
So I’ve put together this list of common misconceptions — for anyone curious about what coaching really involves.
1. “Becoming a Life Coach is just a fallback for people who are lost themselves.”
The best coaches are people who genuinely care about understanding others — and who’ve often spent years doing their own personal work first. They’ve faced challenges, trained extensively, and bring lived experience as well as professional expertise to every session.
2. “You can become a qualified coach after a quick six-week course.”
Unfortunately, the industry isn’t regulated, so technically anyone can complete a short course and call themselves a coach.
Whilst great coaches don’t have to be registered with an official body, if you’re cautious about finding someone credible, it’s wise to look for a coach who is personally accredited by one of the leading organisations — such as the International Coaching Federation (ICF) or the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC).
This means the coach has undergone formal assessment after their training and completed a required number of coaching hours (usually at least 100) before achieving accreditation.
At the very least, a coach should have completed training on a course accredited by one of the leading regulatory bodies, which demonstrates the quality of teaching and the robustness of their training standards.
The best coaches invest in their learning over a number of years. They undertake supervision, mentoring, and continuing professional development to keep refining their practice — because coaching, done properly, is both a craft and a responsibility.
3. “Coaching is a fast track to a six-figure income.”
I can tell you now — most coaches don’t make six figures. Building a sustainable practice takes time, patience, and consistency. It’s a profession like any other: one that requires trust, reputation, and years of experience to build.
4. “Coaches have it all together — that’s why they coach others.”
For anyone who claims to have it all together, question their motives. It’s highly unlikely they do. The best coaches are open about their own humanity because that’s what builds empathy and understanding. The more honest we are about our own shortcomings, the better we can support others through theirs.
5. “Coaches follow the same script with everyone.”
Coaching should never feel scripted. The best coaches have trained in a range of disciplines and draw from multiple tools and frameworks depending on what a client needs. Personally, I prefer not to be dogmatic about any single approach — flexibility to draw from different learned disciplines allows for far more meaningful progress.
6. “Life coaches overcharge for just having conversations.”
Behind every coaching session is years of study, training, and supervision — as well as the costs of running a professional practice: insurance, technology, ongoing development, and the time and energy required to create a safe, structured space for meaningful reflection. Coaching isn’t simply talking; it’s a skilled process that helps people see things differently and take action with greater clarity and confidence.
7. “Coaches pick a niche just to market themselves.”
In reality, most experienced coaches define their niche because of lived experience and specialist training. My own focus on identity, purpose, and the emotional side of money came from working with clients who wanted clarity and confidence during major life changes — themes I’ve also explored personally. The best niches grow naturally out of genuine insight, not marketing strategy.
8. “If a coach isn’t fully booked or earning six figures, they’re not successful.”
Success looks different for everyone. Some coaches choose to work part-time, others balance client work with writing, speaking, or teaching. Many intentionally limit their client numbers to preserve energy and quality. Coaching isn’t about volume — it’s about doing work that’s meaningful and sustainable.
9. “Coaches create overpriced, one-size-fits-all packages to make money.”
Thoughtful coaching programmes are developed through years of experience and refinement. They’re designed with structure and flow — but with enough flexibility to adapt to each client’s needs. A good package represents far more than a series of sessions; it reflects the depth of experience, preparation, and care that goes into helping someone make real change.
What it really comes down to….
Ultimately, coaching provides a calm, focused space for reflection — guided by someone who’s trained to listen, question, and help you find your own clarity.
When it works best, in my opinion, is when there’s also a little wisdom, intuition, and specialist knowledge woven in — the kind that comes from extensive study, experience and genuine curiosity about people.
If you’d like to get a sense of what this looks like in practice, you can read what my clients have said about their experiences, or find out more about my coaching packages here.
*I personally choose to use the term Personal Development Coach over Life Coach because my work is about development in the truest sense — understanding yourself more deeply, building confidence, and making choices that help you grow on all levels (even when that growth is centred on your career).