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5 Things People Get Wrong About Coaching (And What It Actually Is)

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Coaching is one of the most misunderstood professions out there.

You’ve probably heard some version of:


“Isn’t that just someone telling you what to do?”

“It’s for people who can’t figure things out on their own.”

“I’m not in crisis, so I don’t need that.”


At Fulcrum Wellness Coaching, I hear these comments all the time - usually from people who are deeply self-aware, growth-minded, and unsure whether coaching is really for them.


Let’s clear a few things up.

Myth #1: “Coaching is just advice with a price tag.”

Reality: Coaching is not advice-giving - it’s insight-generating.

Unlike consulting or mentoring, where an expert tells you what to do, coaching is a partnership focused on helping you discover what feels aligned and meaningful in your life or work.

Coaching uses tools like deep listening, powerful questions, and reflection to help you gain clarity - not to impose a set plan. Research supports this collaborative approach. According to the International Coaching Federation (ICF), effective coaching increases goal attainment, resilience, and self-efficacy by helping clients arrive at their own conclusions and solutions (ICF Global Coaching Study, 2023).

At Fulcrum, you’ll never be told what to do. Instead, we’ll explore what matters to you - and how to build from there.

Myth #2: “Coaching is only for people in crisis.”

Reality: Coaching is for people navigating growth, transition, or reinvention - not just struggle.

While therapy often focuses on healing the past, coaching is future-oriented. It supports people who are functioning - but want more clarity, intention, or momentum in a particular area of life.

Many of my clients are:

  • Going through a divorce

  • Rebuilding after burnout

  • Changing careers

  • Exploring what’s next after a major life shift

  • Feeling “stuck” but unsure why

These aren’t crises - they’re inflection points.

Coaching helps you harness the discomfort of the in-between and turn it into intentional change.

Myth #3: “It’s just about setting goals and having someone hold you accountable.”

Reality: Good coaching is about alignment, not just action.

While accountability can be part of the process, coaching goes much deeper than weekly check-ins. It’s about uncovering your values, understanding your patterns, and aligning your actions with who you’re becoming—not just who you’ve been.

James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, writes “you do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” Coaching helps you build those systems - and rewire your mindset so you're not relying on willpower alone.

Myth #4: “Coaching is too ‘woo woo’ for me.”

Reality: Coaching can absolutely be grounded, structured, and evidence-based.

At Fulcrum, we blend coaching principles with wellness frameworks, including the 8 Dimensions of Wellness (Swarbrick, 2006), motivational interviewing, and behavior change theory. We talk about real things - your schedule, your habits, your fears, your goals. No vague mantras or fluff.

Wellness-informed coaching allows us to work with the whole person, not just one isolated issue.

Coaching can be compassionate and practical. Reflective and results-driven.

Myth #5: “I should be able to figure this out on my own.”

Reality: You’re not meant to go it alone.

This is one of the most common and most harmful myths I hear - especially from high-performing, capable people.

But the truth is, no one thrives in isolation. Coaching doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you’re human - and wise enough to ask for support when clarity and progress matter.

According to a Harvard Business Review survey, 88% of people who have worked with a coach say it significantly improved their confidence and performance (HBR, 2009).

Coaching is not a sign of failure. It’s a sign of intentional growth.

Coaching at Fulcrum: What Makes It Different?

At Fulcrum Wellness Coaching, we focus on supporting people through life’s in-between moments - transitions, reinventions, and identity shifts.

We blend:

  • Whole-person wellness models

  • Behavioral science

  • Deep, compassionate questioning

  • Strategic action planning to help you move forward with clarity - not pressure.

Whether you’re in the middle of a career pivot, navigating a divorce, or simply craving something more aligned - coaching can be the space that helps you find your way.

Final Thought:

“Coaching isn’t about fixing you. It’s about helping you trust yourself again.”

If you’ve ever been curious (or skeptical), that’s okay. You don’t have to commit to the whole process right now. You just have to take the next step.

Let’s talk—book a free 20-minute Clarity Call and explore what coaching could look like for you.

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