Self-help has become an obsession. Books and podcasts are everywhere, and there are mountains of TikTok videos encouraging people to do things like wake up at 4:00am, take ice baths, and journal to their inner child. Taking all of this content in can feel like progress, but most people stay stuck in the same patterns for months. The truth is, self-help can work for some people, but for most, every new piece of content consumed is just another dopamine hit. Coaching, on the other hand, is where things really shift.
Here’s why.
Self-help is passive; coaching is active
Even the most well-meaning self-help information won’t work without action. Even when action steps are outlined in a book or podcast, they’re taken in as information, not actionable items. People feel a false sense of accomplishment and sometimes really believe they’ve applied the advice when they haven’t.
It’s not easy to apply self-help advice on your own. Coaching is the bridge between conceptual information and action. It demands that you apply what you’ve learned and report back on your progress. With coaching, you get accountability, support, and a personalized approach that works for you.
While self-help can spark greater self-awareness, coaching will create the momentum you need to achieve your goals. Take weight loss, for example. Studies show that 95% of people who lose weight end up gaining all of it back within a year after stopping their diet. A big reason for this rate of failure is the fact that diets are seen as a temporary fix rather than a lifestyle change. People who take on a weight loss coach are far more likely to keep the weight off because coaches help people create lasting lifestyle changes with full support along the way. That’s not something you can get from a book, video, or podcast.
Coaching provides accountability
Few people are good at holding themselves accountable for sticking to a commitment and achieving their goals. Unfortunately, a book or podcast won’t call you out when you flake and can’t help you get to the bottom of why you’re procrastinating. A coach will check in at least weekly, if not more often, and since you’re paying good money for their help, you won’t want to waste your time with them.
Knowing you need to report back to someone will keep you moving, even when you lack motivation. You’re going to try harder when someone’s watching and keeping track of what you’ve said you’ll do.
Coaches can see your blind spots
Self-help content assumes you can diagnose your own problem, but that’s not easy and it can take a long time just to catch a glimpse. Coaches can spot blind spots quickly and help you identify the patterns you can’t see. They’ll catch your default excuses and limiting beliefs and help you rewrite them. The best coaches ask questions that spark insights to help you see what you couldn’t see on your own.
Self-help is generic
Most self-help content appeals to everyone; otherwise, it won’t sell. Coaching is built specifically for you. Books, podcasts, videos, and articles don’t account for your trauma history, your medical conditions, or your ultimate goals. Coaching is the only option that meets you where you are and takes you where you want to be through your own personal milestones.
Coaches help you move past resistance
When self-doubt hits, self-help books aren’t going to be of any help. When you have a coach, you can call them for support, and they’ll help you figure out how to get past your current obstacle. Many coaches already know when someone is stalling because they can read the signs, and they’ll help pull you back on track before you get too stuck.
Coaching gets results faster
Most people who consume self-help content become lifelong customers. You can spend the next 10 years trying to transform some aspect of your life or get a coach and skip ahead. With self-help, you’re stuck using trial and error to see what works.
Coaching clients are far more likely to achieve their goals. Most coaches have read all the same books and tested the frameworks in the real world. They know what works best and they’ll help you figure it out faster.
Coaching turns potential into progress
Self-help isn’t completely useless; it’s just incomplete. It can inspire you to transform your life, but it won’t sustain the fire. For that you need a coach. A coach will hold you accountable, uncover your blind spots, and provide you with a personalized roadmap to lasting results. If you’re tired of spinning your wheels with self-help content, a good coach will help you change your life.
Samantha Green, a psychology graduate from the University of Hertfordshire, has a keen interest in the fields of mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.