Customer Reviews

Total Life Coaching: 50+ Life Lessons, Skills, and Techniques to Enhance Your Practice...and Your Life

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Unfortunately I purchased 7 copies of this book for a coaching program I was doing before I had read it. The cover information and introduction were intriguing.However, I found the content thin and failing to deliver on the promises laid out in the introduction of the book as well as the introduction of each chapter. I liked ideas that they told me they would tell me about; the authors delivered thin regurgitated material.

I was puzzled by much of the content of this book- probably based in part on the high expectations I had after reading some reviews here. Coaching as I know it focuses on the client's values and the agenda comes from the client rather than the coach. This book is full of exercises and "good ideas", but it seems to be infused with many of the writers' own personal opinions, agenda, and biases.

I am concerned that those who are new to coaching will be tempted to "lead", "know", analyze or attempt to "fix" their clients, rather than partner with clients with genuine curiousity to create what they want based on their own (the clients) values and agenda. Granted there are many effective syles of "coaching" and modalities. As a CTI trained life coach I admit I have a bias towards a more co-active, and less therapeutic model.

Dr Williams has been a friend and colleague for several years and with Total Life Coaching, he has clearly established his position as the foremost leader in his understanding of life coaching skills. This is a a one-volume encyclopedia of coaching! Particularly if you are just starting to build your coaching library, this is a "must-have."

Covering 52 of the most common issues in coaching, organized along eight major themes, each chapter explains the theory, then includes examples, exercises, a short coaching "conversation" around the issue, and practical application steps to make the principle useful. While hundreds of books have been written on each of these themes, Williams and Thomas have collected much of the best information in one place, a "one-stop-shopping" over-view of essential skills and best practices in coaching.

Highly recommended! This is not a small book and it is not intended as a quick read There is real "meat" here! Buy it as a resource book (that's how it's intended to be used) and for more experienced coaches, it will serve as a valuable set of reminders and "first principles" to go back to over and over again. My only reservation about the book is its size and weight. Some people will be put off by its broad scope and massive size, but not you! Buy it and set a goal to read it straight through over a period of time, then keep it handy so you can access it frequently as you need resources, tools, or ideas. A well-done and valuable addition to the literature on coaching.

Great primer! Total Coaching is very through in scope and meticulous in its presentation of 52 of the most common issues in life coaching. Beginning and advanced coaches as well as non-coaches including therapists and consultants will find this book valuable. Co-authors Patrick Williams and Lloyd J. Thomas brilliantly present a myriad of theories, examples and exercises in each chapter. Written in easy to digest style, this book provides a content rich enviorment that helps the reader learn and appreciate many fundamental coaching principles. Total Coaching is essential primer for anyone building a coaching library. A treasure trove of information it will no doubt become a widely used tome for teaching. Drs. Williams and Thomas should be commended for contributing such a substantial body of knowledge to the profession.

Patrick Williams has emerged as a leader in the professional coaching field and his background in psychology has helped build a lot of credibility for this newer, distinct profession. His latest book, Total Life Coaching, is a comprehensive tome for anyone interested in improving their counseling skills, or even their own relationships. He has made the material very accessible by breaking the points down into life lessons. From scripts, to powerful questions to insights you may not have been privy to before, this resource guide is a must for every professional's library. Be sure to keep it in reach!
Kudos to Patrick and his co-author.

This book dares to explore and examine every possible realm of human life so that the reader can discover his or her own true authenticity. Whether you are a coach who longs to have the skills, tools and life lessons to help others on their life journey, or if you are that person who dares tackle you own life transformation, you can tuck this book under your arm and be confident that it is the resource you need.

Total Life Coaching is such an easy read and an accessible resource that you will find it to be a book you will interact with time and time again. Thanks to Drs. Patrick Williams and Lloyd J Thomas for sharing their extraordinary messages, tip sheets, assessments, coaching conversations, quotes, and most of all their life lessons. It is a Life 101 essential.

Although I read regularly, I've never written a book review - you can imagine how this book has inspired me if I'm writing this now!
I'm an ER nurse by career and became interested in coaching. I did a search on Amazon and after reading the other reviews, chose this book.
True to the above review, this book gave me the "meat" that I was looking for. It not only explains theory, but gives you practical suggestions for implementation. It's easy to follow yet in depth enough to interest you further.
If you want a practical explanation of what coashing is, how it's done and why, buy this book. It would also be helpful if you are looking for a path to self development!

WARNING: DO NOT READ THIS BOOK UNLESS YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT CHANGING YOUR LIFE FOR THE BETTER! Total Life Coaching is a comprehensive volume of well researched and documented practical exercises in 50+ "Life Lessons" from two authors who absolutely know their stuff! Drs. Patrick Williams and Lloyd Thomas are both trained psychologists and Certified Life Coaches who each have a plethora of personal and professional experience, yet write in a clear and concise way that virtually anyone can understand, appreciate and apply. Both the trained coach and the general public can and will find a tremendous opportunity for personal and professional growth and insight from this volume! From Personal Identity and Relationships to Living with greater Integrity and Purpose - this volume encourages the reader to design and live the life they truly desire, and offers sound methods for doing so!

Total life coaching truly is a compendium of resources. If you are a personal professional coach, interested in coaching or a highly motivated nonprofessional, this is a "must-have." Drs Patrick Williams and Lloyd J. Thomas have not only provided the resources promised, but allow you to witness the coaching process in a unique way. They reveal the underlying strategy used by the coach and point out potential pitfalls in terms of specific clients.

These experienced coaches have created a book that spands all dimensions of coaching. It will broaden your perspectives and give you deeper insight into effective coaching processes.

Total Life Coaching was required reading for the Certified Life Coach graduate program I attended. I've often looked back at this valuable resource throughout my coaching practice. This guide is easy to read and user friendly.