As a Coach and Mentor with nearly 30 years of professional experience, I have come across countless misconceptions about what Coaching truly is — and what it is not.
There are more than four myths — but these are the ones I see doing the most damage. They often get in the way of people who are thinking about working with a Coach, and they can seriously distort expectations from the start.
Myth 1: A Coach is like a handyman who will fix everything that is broken in your life.
Nope. Not even close.
A Coach is not someone you hire to repair your life, relationships, career, or mindset — just like you would call a plumber to fix a leaky pipe. No matter how skilled or experienced the Coach may be, they are not there to take over your life and fix it for you.
You are not a broken appliance. You are a thinking, feeling, choosing human being — with a mind, a heart, and a soul. No one else can do the work for you.
Yes, a Coach can help you gain clarity, find direction, challenge your thinking, and support your growth. But you must do the work. Without your commitment, your effort, and your determination, no Coach can create meaningful change on your behalf.
Do not fall into the illusion that hiring a Coach means outsourcing your growth, goals, or healing. It does not work that way. It never has, and it never will.
Myth 2: Coaching is like a vehicle with a driver who takes us to our destination while we sit back and enjoy the ride.
Not quite. Tempting idea — but no.
The word "coach" actually comes from the name of a vehicle — originally a horse-drawn carriage, later a part of a train. In that sense, coaching is like a journey — a process of moving from where you are now to where you want to be.
But here is the thing: even if you have bought the ticket and boarded the coach — you still have a pivotal role to play.
Coaching is a verb. And a verb requires a subject — it needs you. Without your engagement, your effort, and your willingness to actively participate, the vehicle will not take you very far.
It is just like in sports: for an athlete to stand on the podium, it takes both the athlete's talent and the Coach's expertise. But it is the athlete who gets the medal — not the Coach. The good coaches know what I mean.
Myth 3: Once the coaching sessions are completed, everything is done.
Again — not true.
Coaching is not a one-and-done solution. Deciding to work with a Coach is an important step, but it is only part of the journey — not the whole thing.
Coaching is a temporary yet transformational phase in your life. When it ends, what continues is you — with new insights, deeper awareness, and better tools to shape your future. The real work happens not just during the coaching sessions, but especially after they are over.
A good coaching process will leave you equipped with tools to manage your thoughts, influence your decisions, and align your actions with your values and goals. But these tools will not use themselves. You need to keep applying them, refining them, and growing with them.
It is like being a swimmer. You may train with a great coach, learn the perfect technique, and build the right mindset — but ultimately, you have to get in the water. If you want to become stronger, faster, better — you need to keep swimming. No one can do your laps for you.
Myth 4: Once change is achieved, it is permanent.
No, it is not. And anyone who tells you it is — is not telling you the truth.
Why? Because we are not machines. We are human beings — with free will, emotions, and yes, egos.
Our ego will do its very best to lure us back into what is easy, quick, and comfortable.
True change does not come from one decision. It comes from daily decisions, from our responsibility, self-awareness, and consistent efforts.
You will know you have made the right choice when something beautiful happens: that internal dialogue — the constant justification, second-guessing — goes silent. No more mental debates before falling asleep. No more inner tension. Just a quiet mind. A strange, beautiful lightness in your body. And a deep, unmistakable feeling of peace.
Nevertheless, be aware that that state will not last unless you maintain it. The effects of coaching will last only as long as you do your part.
Get to the waters. Swim your six miles every day. Or more.
Coaching can lead to profound change — but sustaining it is a daily choice. Your choice. Every single day.