I love collecting interesting and thought-provoking quotes. I actually keep a collection of them, so I have a place to draw inspiration from at any time. Here’s one that has stuck with me for years:
“As we walk along our life journey, it is so easy to start collecting labels that define us… but may ultimately restrict our ability to grow.”
Labels and Identity
As coaches, we know how easy it is for people to identify themselves with a label. Sometimes those labels seem harmless — “I’m an introvert,” “I’m not good at math,” “I’m the organized one.” Over time, though, labels like these can quietly solidify into identity. Instead of being a simple description, they become a deep-rooted definition.
For clients, and for us as coaches, labels can restrict our view of what’s possible. They can keep us trapped in a box that slowly begins to suffocate us. One of the most valuable skills we can develop as coaches is learning to help our clients overcome limiting labels so growth becomes possible again.
Not All Labels Are Problematic
Of course, not all labels are harmful. Some are empowering and life-giving. Think about labels like “I’m creative,” “I’m a resilient person,” “I’m a caring coach.” When those are authentic, they can support growth and confidence.
The key difference is whether the label is consciously chosen or unconsciously inherited.
The Counterfeits
Many labels aren’t ours at all. They were given to us by parents, teachers, peers, or bosses — and somewhere along the way, we stopped questioning them.
• “You’re not very creative.”
• “You’re too sensitive.”
• “You’re just not leadership material.”
When counterfeit labels like these sink in, people start living down to them instead of living beyond them. As coaches, part of our role is to help clients notice the voice behind the label. Whose words are they really living by anyway?
Choosing Our Labels
It can feel overwhelming once we start noticing how many labels we’ve been wearing. They pile up layer by layer, and some are stickier than others. But here’s the truth: we have the power to choose which ones we wear and when.
We don’t have to start ripping them all off at once — that sounds painful, doesn’t it? Sometimes a label still serves us. Sometimes we’re ready to peel one off today. And sometimes we need support to loosen the glue. That’s where coaching creates a safe space: a chance to examine the label, hold it up to the light, and decide whether to keep it or let it go.
This is the heart of how coaches help clients overcome limiting labels: by offering presence, perspective, and powerful questions that open the door to new possibilities.
Reflection for Coaches
Take a moment to consider:
• What labels are you wearing in your coaching practice?
• Which labels strengthen your sense of self and purpose, and which ones may be quietly limiting you?
• How might you invite your clients to explore the labels they are wearing?
Even a single shift can create freedom — for you, and for the clients you serve.
Your Turn
Is it time to peel off a label that no longer belongs? Try noticing just one this week — in your own life or in one of your client conversations.
The labels we wear can be incredibly sticky, but they don’t have to be permanent. At the end of the day, we always get to choose.
“If you’re ready to get some support with recognizing and releasing the labels that no longer serve you, book a discovery call with me and let’s explore how we can work on it together.”
