3 Common Misconceptions About Coaching

When I tell people I’m a coach, I usually get one of three reactions:

• “Oh, so you give pep talks all day?”

• “Do you just tell people what to do with their lives?”

• “Isn’t that, like, therapy but cheaper?”

If only coaching were that simple (or that dramatic). The truth is, coaching is a lot deeper, a lot more nuanced, spoiler alert - definitely not about me having all the answers.

Let me bust some of the most common misconceptions about coaching.

Misconception 1: Coaches Have All the Answers

The Myth: People think coaches are mystical gurus who drop life-changing advice on command.

The Reality: I don’t have a crystal ball, and I definitely don’t have all the answers (sorry to disappoint). Coaching is about asking the right questions, not handing out one-size-fits-all solutions.

I guide clients to discover their own answers by helping them clarify their goals, uncover blind spots, and build action plans. Think of me as a GPS - you decide the destination, and I help you find the best route (and maybe avoid a few potholes and traffic).

Misconception 2: Coaching Is Just Motivational Pep Talks

The Myth: Coaching is like having a personal cheerleader who yells “You got this!” every five minutes.

The Reality: Sure, I’ll cheer you on, but coaching isn’t just about rah-rah vibes. It’s about accountability, strategy, and sometimes tough love.

If you’re stuck in a cycle of procrastination, I won’t just say, “You’re amazing!” I’ll ask, “Why do you keep putting this off?” and help you create a system to stop.

Coaching is equal parts encouragement and action. Motivation fades, strategies stick.

Misconception 3: Coaching Is the Same as Therapy

The Myth: Coaching and therapy are interchangeable—just pick whichever sounds cooler.

The Reality: Therapy helps you heal and process the past; coaching focuses on moving forward and achieving your goals.

If your life is a car, therapy looks under the hood to fix what’s broken.

Coaching is about mapping the journey ahead, finding shortcuts, and maybe upgrading to a sports car. Both are valuable, but they’re not the same.

What Coaching Really Takes

Being a coach isn’t just about good vibes and listening skills. It requires:

Empathy: To truly understand where clients are coming from.

Curiosity: To dig deep and uncover the root of challenges.

Problem-Solving: To help clients create practical, actionable plans.

Patience: Because growth takes time, and there’s no fast-forward button.

And let’s not forget the ability to balance encouragement with accountability - it’s a fine line between “You’re doing great!” and “Okay, now let’s do better.”

Got any coaching questions—or misconceptions? Let me know by replying to this email.

That’s it for now. I’ll catch you again soon. For more on lifestyle, productivity and mental clarity, follow @pranotihere on X.

For all the ladies here, if you’re curious about what my coaching looks like and wish to give it a shot, go ahead and book a trial discovery call with me here.