August 2023: Was Paying for a Life Coach Worth It?

In August we put a life coach under the microscope. I spent cash, time, and energy on a coach to see if the hype matches reality. Below is the straight‑up recap – no marketing fluff, just what happened and whether it paid off.

Why I Tried a Life Coach

I’ve always chased self‑improvement. Books, podcasts, online courses – they all gave me ideas but not always results. A friend swore by their coach, saying they finally felt ‘unstuck.’ That pushed me to sign up for a few sessions and test the claim myself.

The coach advertised a structured plan: weekly check‑ins, goal‑setting worksheets, and accountability calls. The price was steep – $150 per hour – so I needed to know exactly what I was buying. My main question was simple: will the money translate into real progress?

What I Got Out of It

During the first couple of weeks we mapped my short‑term and long‑term goals. The coach asked me to write down specific, measurable targets instead of vague ideas like “be healthier.” That forced me to be clear about what I wanted.

We set up a habit tracker, and the coach called me every Friday to see if I stuck to the plan. The accountability helped me push through the lazy days. I ended up jogging three times a week and finished a short online course I’d been putting off for months.

On the downside, some advice felt generic – “stay positive,” “break tasks into smaller steps.” Those are basics you can find for free. Also, the coach’s schedule was inflexible, and rescheduling cost extra, which added stress.

Financially, the sessions added up to $900 over six weeks. If you compare that to buying a self‑help book ($20) or a cheap app subscription ($10/month), the cost is high. The real value came from the structured accountability and the clarity on my goals.

So, was it worth it? If you need someone to keep you honest, push you past procrastination, and you can afford the price, then yes – the coach delivered tangible results. If you’re disciplined enough to set your own goals and track progress, you might save the money and still get similar outcomes.

Bottom line: a life coach can be a powerful catalyst, but only if you treat the sessions as an investment in specific actions, not just motivation. Think about what you need, check the coach’s style, and weigh the cost against the results you expect.