TOPIC: Help a struggling life coach needs a power-up

I’m a life coach, dedicated to helping others unlock their potential, chase their dreams, and basically be the best versions of themselves. BUT I think I need some leveling up too.

One of my colleagues from a different industry told me that getting PMP-certified can make my professional coaching even more effective or practical. Do you have any tips I can follow to dip my toes in? Any guidance would help!

Hi Tiffany,

I love your mindset already — as a life coach, you understand the value of growth, reflection, and structured action. And honestly, that’s precisely what the PMP is about, too.

While it’s traditionally seen as a project management certification, the truth is that PMP is a toolkit for turning ideas into results. And that’s deeply aligned with what you do in coaching — helping people move from vision to execution.

If you're looking to dip your toes in, here are a few tips:

Start by exploring the PMP exam content outline. It gives you a sense of what the exam covers, including topics such as managing stakeholders, risks, and value delivery.
Even just reading it can spark ideas for how structured project thinking could support your coaching practice.

Next, try a short intro course. Platforms like Coursera or Udemy offer beginner-friendly options that explain project management concepts clearly and concisely, without overwhelming you.
Look for instructors who make it practical and engaging.

Third, get curious about how project management shows up in your current work—such as planning a group workshop? That’s a project. Helping a client build a 90-day action plan?
Also, a project. Once you start viewing your work through that lens, you’ll see how relevant PMP thinking already is.

Also, don’t feel pressure to dive into the full certification right away. Just learning the language and logic of project management can already make you a more effective coach, especially with clients who are building businesses or launching significant life changes.

If you decide to pursue the certification later, that's great. However, even just starting with the mindset and methods will elevate you in meaningful ways.

I'd be happy to recommend a few starting resources if you'd like. And welcome to the world of structured impact — you're going to love it here.

BR

Hello Tiffany,

I think Markus gave some great tips. I would add that the CAPM is much easier to get and less costly, and shows others that you have a general understanding of PMP methodology. You should examine it and see if that's the right path for you.