5 Signs You are Ready for Coaching: And how to choose the right coach for you

Are you considering coaching, but unsure if you are ready for it? 

Are you feeling stuck — in your work, at home, or within yourself? Do you keep facing the same challenges with little progress? You might be wondering if coaching is the answer, but you're not sure if you're truly ready.

In this blog, I’ll walk you through five key signs that indicate you're ready for coaching, the signs that you might need to wait, and how to choose the right coach for you. There’s even a short quiz at the end to help you decide if coaching is right for you.

What Can Coaching Help With?

Everyone has a different reason for wanting to work with a coach. Some of the areas I support clients with include:

• Developing a healthy work-life balance

• Imposter syndrome, self-esteem, and self-confidence

• Reducing stress and managing burnout

• Achieving health and wellbeing goals

• Creating sustainable habits

• Supporting those with neurodiversity

  
  

5 signs you are ready for coaching

1. You feel stuck and want to make a change

You see a gap between where you are now and where you want to be — and no matter what you try, it feels like you're not making progress. A coach can help you clarify your goals, shift your perspective, and explore what might be holding you back.

2. You’re motivated to take action

You're excited by the idea of change, even if it feels daunting. You're ready to take responsibility for your growth and are willing to put in the effort. A coach will guide you through the process — helping you set goals, make plans, and overcome obstacles.

3. You need accountability

You know what you need to do, but sticking with it is the hard part. Coaching provides structure and someone to keep you accountable — while also cheering you on and helping you problem-solve when things get tough.

4. You’re open to being challenged

Coaching requires honesty and vulnerability. A good coach will reflect your thinking back to you and gently challenge limiting beliefs or behaviours that are holding you back.

5. You’re open to new ideas

If you’re ready to step outside your comfort zone and try different approaches, coaching can help you uncover powerful insights and make meaningful change.

Signs You’re Not Quite Ready (Yet)

Coaching is powerful — but it’s not for everyone, all the time. Here are a few signs that now might not be the right moment for you:

• You’re not fully committed

  Life might be demanding your attention elsewhere right now — and that’s okay. If you're not ready to give coaching the time and energy it deserves, plan to revisit it when things settle.

  
  

• You want someone to tell you what to do

  Coaching isn’t advice-giving. It’s a collaborative process that helps you uncover your own answers. While I’ll share tools and perspectives, the insight and action come from you.

  
  

• You blame others or external circumstances

  Coaching works best when you're ready to take responsibility for what you can (and can’t) change — rather than focusing on who’s to blame.

  
  

• You feel you don’t have time

  We all feel busy, but if growth is important to you, you’ll find time to prioritise it. Coaching can help you clarify what matters most and make space for it.

How to Choose the Right Coach

Once you decide you’re ready, how do you choose the right coach — especially when there are so many out there?

Here’s what to look for:

1. Accreditation (not just certification)

Anyone can call themselves a coach, but accredited coaches have undergone rigorous training, logged coaching hours, and committed to ethical standards. Accreditation is the gold standard in the coaching world.

2. Supervision

A good coach regularly reflects on their work with a trained coaching supervisor. This ensures they're continuously developing and delivering high-quality support. Ask how often your coach attends supervision and whether it’s 1:1 or in a group.

3. Specialist training

If you're looking for support in a specific area (e.g. ADHD, relationships, wellbeing), make sure the coach has relevant experience and further training in that field.

4. Clear ethics, contracts & scope

Coaches should adhere to a global code of ethics, have a clearly defined scope of practice, and signpost you to other professionals if needed (e.g. your GP). They should also provide a written contract covering confidentiality, data protection, safeguarding, cancellations, and more.

5. Experience

Ask how many coaching hours they’ve logged. Accredited coaches must meet a minimum threshold, and more hours usually means more experience. Less experienced coaches may offer lower fees — which can still be a great option, depending on your needs.

6. Insurance & DBS checks

A professional coach should have current insurance and, if relevant, a DBS check. Don’t hesitate to ask for details.

7. Testimonials

Read what others have said. Real client experiences can give you a good feel for a coach's style and strengths. If you’re unsure, ask to speak to a past client for a reference.

8. Free introductory call

This "chemistry call" is a chance to see if you're a good fit to work together. You should never feel pressured — a good coach won’t push a hard sell and may even recommend a better fit for your needs.