For many people worldwide, those infamous “8 hours of sleep” are entirely unachievable. The fast-paced lifestyles are the fuel to anxiety, depression, and…well, insomnia. So, it’s no wonder so many people are searching for professional assistance. The demand for sleep coaching is rapidly increasing, making it the perfect time to start your career as a sleep consultant!
In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of becoming a fully licensed sleep coaching professional, so keep on reading to find out more!
1. Make that decision
All right, this might seem obvious, but hear us out. We strongly believe that not everyone is cut out to be a sleep consultant. It’s a job that requires a lot of hard work and persistence, contrary to what many people think. Working to find a solution for every one of your future clients can be way harder than it seems. You’ll have to deal with many potentially sleep-deprived people, which is not easy by itself. If you dislike working with people, and if you’re not entering the field motivated to help others, then sleep coaching is simply not for you.
Of course, people and communication skills are nothing that you can’t learn, as long as the “right” motivators drive you. Overall, if you genuinely want to help people become healthier and live more fulfilling lives, nothing stops you from becoming a sleep consultant.
2. Do some research
We suggest you start learning as much as you can about sleeping even before you begin the licensing process. If you ever had sleep issues, think about how it made you feel. What did you do to alleviate your problems?
If you think getting quality sleep is tiring yourself out during the day and getting a comfier pillow, you’re up for an unpleasant surprise. Your sleeping schedule largely depends on your diet, stress levels, and physical/mental activity levels during the day. So, as a future sleep consultant, you’ll have to be knowledgeable about the human body and its functions.
Prepare yourself for the licensing process even before you apply. In this way, you’ll ensure your studies are as easy as they can be.
3. Choose a certification program
Luckily, you can apply to many sleep consulting/coaching programs and become a certified coach in less than a year. We suggest you thoroughly research different curriculums until you find something that fits your needs and goals. Many programs can now be found online too (due to COVID19), so take advantage of that if there aren’t any classes you can take in your local area.
Make sure to read their program in detail before you enrol. Also, check their credentials to ensure you’ll be paying for a valid certificate. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and read up on their online reviews.
The certificate provider should also be very transparent with their prices, especially since these programs can be quite pricey. Of course, if it’s a high-quality program, it will be worth every penny once you start your career.
4. Try it yourself
If you’ve never been in contact with a professional sleep consultant such as those at this website, perhaps it’s time to try their services for yourself. Even if you don’t have any issues with your sleep schedule, you could benefit from getting some professional tips. You could also ask them about their experiences and learn from how they approach you as a client.
Once you get your license, you still might feel a bit lost. As the entire sleep coaching industry is a bit niche, you’ll need some time to adjust to your new profession. Make sure to build business relationships as early in the process as possible. These can be valuable assets for advancing your career.
5. Gain experience
Once you obtain your license, you might feel a bit lost for some time, which is entirely normal. Gaining work experience from scratch is never an easy task. Look for job openings wherever you can, and start practising on your family and friends. You’ll quickly see that all of your hard work has paid off! Usually, training and licensing courses for becoming a certified sleep coach last quite some time (from 5 months to 1 year and more).
Overall, starting out as a “freshly” licensed coach will be the most challenging part of your career. Still, as long as you make a couple of contacts in the industry, you’ll undoubtedly be successful! So, keep on looking for jobs and potential clients until you’ve built an impressive portfolio.
6. Start your own sleep coaching business
Now, most consultants have the ambition to open their own coaching company once they have the means to do so. It’s nothing unusual: being an independent coach is always more rewarding than working for a consulting company.
The first thing you should do once you decide to start working independently is to create a website. In today’s world, no business can exist without having an online presence of some sort. So, create a website and start looking for clients! You probably already have some friends or family member who might benefit from your services. Start small and then build your way up until you achieve your goals altogether.
7. Practice what you preach
Lastly, if you want to be a successful sleep consultant, make sure to get healthy amounts of sleep every day. How can your clients trust your advice when you have those giant dark circles around your eyes? Make a plan for yourself, and serve as an example of what a healthy sleeping schedule can do for a person!
The bottom line
Becoming a sleep consultant can be the best choice you’ve ever made for yourself! It’s a gratifying job, as long as you genuinely enjoy helping people become the healthiest versions of themselves.
Getting a license is the only way to start your career properly. Make sure you get it from a reliable source. Learn how to apply your knowledge by starting from yourself first.
Overall, as long as you get a valid license, you’ll be able to become a successful coach in no time whatsoever.
