CNM's post touched on one of the pieces that didn't work for me with the coaches I tried. I'm a person who is ridiculously self-motivated, disciplined, etc. So usually what I need is someone who is willing to hear where I'm at, what I've done so far, and give me new ideas.
The three coaches I worked with were very...formulaic, I guess. They had a repertoire of pat ideas, and suggested one after another, completely dismissing whether I'd already done that, or whether it was possible in my circumstance (e.g., "You are the sole caregiver for a five year old with special needs. But drive 5000 kms to attend our series of seminars. Then for sure everything will be fixed! You just have to believe that someone will appear to care for your child!") It was almost like they were buying time.
The issue was that they were starting from a place of, "I have answers!! I got this!!! I totally know what to do!!! Let me tell you what to do, which is the same things that everyone should do, and if they were doing them, their lives would ROCK!!!!"
Really that hyped up, self-styled guru thing going on.
What works much better for me is a person taking the time, patience, and skill to first listen deeply. Then to sit with it reflectively. Then to offer what comes as a result.
And that reminds me that the sessions that were phenomenal for me were:
*volunteer business mentors (including for general life stuff)
*people trained in "spiritual companioning" or "spiritual direction"
The latter generally charge a fee, but I've always accessed them without charge.
So, now I know what I'm going to do in this rut :)