Life Coach Ramblings

Many people don’t know what to expect from coaching, and I want to demystify it as much as possible. In the next few posts, I’ll be breaking down the structure I follow. It’s based on what I learned in coaching school, and most ICF-aligned coaches follow this outline.

Below are the components of a typical coaching session:

1. Check-in & Setting the Agreement – how we start the session and decide what we’re working on
2. Exploration – diving into the topic and seeing what’s underneath
3. Key Takeaways – noticing insights, “aha” moments, or shifts in perspective
4. Action Steps, Challenges, Accountability – figuring out what you want to do with those insights and how you’ll follow through
5. Wrap Up – bringing things to a close so you leave with clarity (and not a half-finished conversation)

Why Structure Matters

Coaching sessions usually last up to an hour. You’re paying for that hour, so I think it’s fair to say that time = money. Just like you don’t want your money wasted, you don’t want your time wasted.

Without structure, a session can wander from topic to topic and leave you feeling like you got a lot off your chest, but still lacking direction. Structure makes sure the session has direction. It turns a coaching conversation into something more than venting. It keeps the session purposeful, so you walk away with clarity, insights, or a next step that actually moves you forward.

Structure vs. Rigidity

But wait! Before you assume that structure means scripted, let me be clear: structure doesn’t mean I’m sticking to a rigid outline and marching us through bullet points. That would be really boring and wouldn’t serve either of us.

Picture one of those giant water slides at an amusement park (Oh, look! There’s a photo of one in this post!). The slide curves and twists, and you never know exactly what turn is coming next, but it always keeps the water moving forward.

That’s what structure does in a coaching session. It acts like a container that holds the conversation, gives it direction, and still leaves plenty of room for surprise along the way. It’s what turns a session into coaching, not just a conversation.

What’s Next

This is the first post in a 7-part series. Next time, I’ll dive into the Check-in & Setting the Agreement piece, and why those first few minutes can shape everything that follows.