The Life Coaching Contract Template
The first time I heard the term "life coach," I have to admit, I snickered. What kind of grown adult needs someone to coach them through life? What kind of person thinks they are in a position to tell someone else how to live their life?
In my experience networking with other women professionals, I started meeting a lot of coaches of all types. That's because it's one of the fastest-growing industries for women entrepreneurs - and for good reason! Life has gotten complicated; technology has made things more accessible and also more confusing. Families have to juggle two working parents and kids' crazy schedules. Living costs more, so people work more. Throw in a pandemic and, well, life is just A LOT.
As I talked to the coaches I met, I realized two things: 1) life coaches don't tell people how to live their lives, and 2) sometimes we are looking for an ear, a guiding voice, a sounding board, a neutral opinion, encouragement, and affirmation - and I was no exception!
Yep, I now have a coach of my own. She's both a business and life coach, and she's kept me on track personally and professionally for more than a year. I adore my coach. She's insightful and intuitive. She's sassy and appreciates my brand of humor. She also calls me out on my nonsense. She's the adult in the room that I need when I am all out of steam to adult.
So, imagine my surprise, when we started working together, she didn't have me sign a contract. Oh, she had one. But she got it for free "somewhere" and didn't understand or trust it. So rather than fix the problem, she just didn't use it. So how did this remarkable woman - who was helping me stay on top of my own stuff - not have the back end of her business in order? Well, it turns out that is not uncommon among coaches.
Life-long learners, navigators of incredible experiences, collectors of wisdom - coaches are all these things and more, but they too are human. When something is complicated, confusing, or bothersome, it is easy for coaches to do what many of us do - avoid it. Believe me, I get it. They would rather get to the business of coaching than work on the business of business. That's why In The Know Legal was launched. To help Life coaches, business coaches, health & wellness coaches, executive coaches - any kind of coach, really - get the legal back-end of their business in order. How? With DIY legal coaching contract templates!
I drafted a beautiful contract (if I do say so myself) for my coach and walked her through it. Now she confidently and consistently implements it with each new client. She's happy knowing her business is protected and is comfortable using the agreement because she understands its importance and what it actually says. The agreement covers the terms of the relationship - from payment and refunds to obligations and responsibilities to cancellations and scheduling. It creates clear expectations and shows her clients she takes herself, her business, and them seriously.
As a life coach, it is vital to have a life coaching contract with your clients. You are doing important and personal work with your clients. Not only do you want to put forward an appearance of competence and capability, but you also want to create clear boundaries and expectations with your clients. After all, it is very likely you will be advising your clients to do the very same within their own lives. What better way to help them see why this is so important than by setting a clear example?
As may sometimes be the case in life, the relationship with your client may end - on good or poor terms. Having a solid coaching contract in place means there should be little to dispute should the conclusion of your relationship be less than amicable. We all hope it never comes to a bitter end, but having clear terms, such as a dispute resolution clause and concise refund policy, can do a lot to prevent needless argument.
In The Know Legal's individual coaching agreement template and group caching agreement template are designed to work for all coaches, whether they need a health & wellness, business, or life coaching contract template.
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