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Blog /New To Life Coaching?
New To Life Coaching?

What to Ask Your Life Coach Before You Begin

Thu Jan 29 2026|Columnist: iDare Team


Have you tried connecting with yourself a little deeper? 

 

‘The greatest conversations are not the ones that give you answers, but the ones that help you discover your own.’ 

 

Thinking about starting life coaching can feel a little uncertain. Seeking support itself feels uncertain many times. You may know something needs to change - more direction, balance, or clarity - but you might not know where to start. You may not even be completely aware of what to ask yourself with regard to those next few steps. 

That’s completely okay. Many people feel that way before they begin. 

Life coaching isn’t about fixing things. It’s about understanding yourself better and finding what truly matters to you. 
And that starts with asking the right questions - the ones that help you build trust, safety, and clarity before the first session even begins. 

At iDare, we’ve seen that the best coaching journeys start not with confidence, but with curiosity. 

 

Why Asking Questions Matters 

Coaching isn’t one-sided. It’s not a teacher-student setup or a place for advice. 
It’s a journey of partnership - one that works best when you feel safe, heard, and clear about what you need - Does that mean you’re only asked questions? Not at all. 
 
You’re given a lot of space to listen to yourself. You’re given space to explore. You’re given space to understand your weaknesses and gaps. You’re given space to dig deeper to meet the real YOU. 

When you ask your coach thoughtful questions before you begin, you’re not being difficult or crazy - you’re taking ownership of your journey. 
You’re saying, ‘I want this to work for me, and I want to understand how.’ 

That simple curiosity builds the foundation for growth and clarity. 

 

Here are some questions you might ask:

1. How will this process help me see things more clearly?

Coaching helps you pause, reflect, and look at your life from a different perspective. 
Your coach may use questions, exercises, or simple conversations to help you connect with your own thoughts. 

At iDare, we believe clarity doesn’t come from doing more. It comes from noticing what’s already there - your values, strengths, and patterns that shape your choices. 

When you begin to see yourself clearly, everything else starts making sense, too. 

 

2. What do you expect from me in this process?

Many people come into coaching hoping for answers. 
They want someone to tell them what to do next - and that’s okay. It’s natural to feel that way when life feels confusing. 

But coaching works differently. 

At iDare, we once worked with Anjali, who said, ‘I just want someone to tell me what’s right for me.’ 
Her coach gently asked, ‘If you could slow down for a moment, what do you feel might be right?’ 

She paused and smiled, ‘I’ve never really asked myself that before.’ 

That’s where coaching truly begins - with awareness, not answers. 
Over time, Anjali started paying attention to what gave her energy and what drained it. 
She began listening to herself instead of the noise around her. 

That’s all your coach expects from you - not perfection, not quick results, just honesty and willingness to explore. 

 

3. How will I know if I’m making progress? 

Progress in coaching doesn’t always look big or dramatic. 
Sometimes, it’s as small as breathing easier, feeling lighter, or responding calmly instead of rushing into worry. 

Rakesh, one of our clients, once said, ‘I didn’t realize I was changing until I noticed I wasn’t overthinking every decision.’ 
That’s what growth looks like - small, steady shifts that help you feel more like yourself again. 

You’ll know you’re growing when your thoughts feel kinder, and your choices feel more aligned. 
At iDare, we often say, ‘You don’t measure growth by speed, you feel it in your peace.’ 

 

4. What happens if I feel stuck?

Feeling stuck is normal. It’s part of the process. 
It usually means you’ve reached something important - a belief, fear, or an emotion that needs space to be understood. 

Ask your coach how they support you through such moments. 
A good coach won’t rush you. They’ll help you pause, explore, and make sense of what’s holding you back - gently and safely. 

Sometimes, the ‘stuck’ moments are the most meaningful ones. 

 

5. How can we make this a safe space for me?

This is one of the most powerful questions you can ask. 

Safety in coaching is not just about confidentiality. It’s about emotional comfort - knowing that you can speak freely, even about things that feel hard. 

At iDare, we see emotional safety as the foundation for every transformation. 
When you feel safe, you open up. When you open up, you heal. 

 

6. What kind of support will I have between sessions?

The real change in coaching happens between sessions - in small reflections, quiet thoughts, and simple actions you take daily. 

Ask your coach how they support you outside sessions. 
Some offer reflection prompts or journaling practices, while others check in gently to help you stay connected to your goals. 

You grow not just during conversations, but in how you live them afterward. 

 

Curiosity Is Where Change Begins 

Every coaching journey starts with one small question. 

We once had a client who asked, ‘Will this help me feel more like myself again?’ 
That single question carried honesty, courage, and hope - the perfect place to begin. 

Over time, she found her calm again. Not because coaching changed her, but because it helped her reconnect with what was already there. 

That’s the beauty of this process - it doesn’t give you a new version of yourself; it helps you return to the one you had forgotten. 

 

Before You Begin 

If you’re thinking of starting coaching, ask yourself: 

  • What do I want to understand about myself right now? 
  • What would feeling clear and at peace look like for me? 
  • What kind of space would make me feel safe to explore? 

These simple questions help you begin with intention. 

At iDare, we believe every journey toward growth begins with curiosity and compassion. 
Ask, reflect, and allow yourself to begin - one honest conversation at a time. 

 

Ready to take your first step? 
Reach out to our team at iDare for a discovery session. 
Bring your questions, your stories, your hopes - we’ll meet you where you are and move forward together.  

 

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