Sim Chen Xing

Imagine sitting across from a coach for the first time. They ask you a simple question: “What would you like to focus on today?” Your mind races. You might feel like you should have a perfectly polished answer, but instead, you find yourself wondering: What exactly is a coaching topic? And how do I even figure out mine?

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many people feel unsure about where to start when it comes to coaching. The good news is that you don’t need to have all the answers—just a willingness to explore.

For example, your client had just landed what seemed like their dream job. But instead of feeling excited, they began questioning whether this role was truly right for them. Though the days were filled with new experiences and learning opportunities, a lingering sense of imposter syndrome persisted. In the first coaching session, they might say, “I don’t know whether I belong.”

Using that as a starting point, you might explore the underlying self-doubt with the client. Often, there may be a deeper root cause—an internal struggle with self-concept or identity. From there, the coaching topic can become clearer: building assurance and confidence in their chosen path.

By focusing on this, clarity may begin to emerge. The client may start to build confidence and identify concrete steps to thrive in their role. Sometimes, a simple yet powerful question—“What’s behind this feeling?”—can open the door to a transformative journey.

What Exactly Is a Coaching Topic?

A coaching topic is the area of your life or work you want to focus on during your sessions. It could be something as specific as improving your time management or as broad as finding clarity in your career. Your topic doesn’t need to be perfectly defined; it’s simply a starting point for the conversation.

Think of it as the headline for your story—a guiding theme that helps you and your coach dive deeper into what matters most to you.

Finding Your Coaching Topic

If you’re unsure about your coaching topic, don’t worry. Sometimes it takes a bit of reflection to uncover what you want to work on. Start by asking yourself:

• What feels like a challenge right now?
• What’s an area of my life that I would like to improve?
• What’s a goal that I’ve been putting off but can’t stop thinking about?

Even a vague feeling like feeling stuck can become a meaningful topic with the right questions and guidance.

You Don’t Need to Have It All Figured Out

One of the biggest myths about coaching is that you need to know exactly what you want before you start. In reality, coaching is a process of discovery. You might walk into a coaching session thinking your topic is about career growth and realize it’s actually about building confidence. Or you might start with a vague idea and find clarity as the conversation unfolds.

Your Next Step

As a start, you may consider what’s one thing in your life that could be better? Maybe it’s your career, your relationships, or even your sense of purpose. That’s where you start. Like Sarah, you don’t need to have the perfect answer. Just a willingness to explore and the courage to take that first step.

The truth is, every journey begins with a question—and a coaching topic is simply the first question you choose to ask. From there, the possibilities are endless.

So, what would you like to focus on today?

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Hi! If you are interested to explore more about coaching or you have a burning issue you’d like to resolve, look no further! I’m currently offering a free coaching session to anyone who needs a safe space to think things through, gain clarity, or take the next step forward. Whether you’re facing a personal challenge, making a big decision, or simply want to be heard, I’m here to journey with you.