Maintaining an up-to-date ICF coaching log is essential for every coach who wants to improve their coaching practice. The ICF coaching log is a record of all the sessions that coaches have with their clients. It serves as evidence of the coach's coaching hours, client contact hours, and experience. It also helps coaches to identify their strengths and areas of improvement. An up-to-date ICF Coaching Log is required to achieve the various levels of accreditation as an ICF coach.

Two options to maintain your ICF Coaching Log

Top-10 tips for an up-to-date ICF Coaching Log 

1. Set time aside to ensure every coaching session is logged 

It is essential to record every coaching session you have with your client in your coaching log. If you use the ICF-provided Excel spreadsheet template to maintain your session record manually, set aside 30 minutes per week to update the spreadsheet and confirm all the information is correct. If you use the free Coaching Log app for iPhone and Android to track your sessions, take 5 seconds at the end of every session to keep your ICF Coaching Log up-to-date. Update the coaching log regularly will help you avoid forgetting any details about the coaching session and ensure that your coaching log is accurate and up-to-date. 

2. Include the client's name and document the coaching hours 

Include the client's name in your coaching log. This will help you track which client you had the coaching session with. Document the date and coaching minutes you have with each client. The ICF requires a minimum of 100 coaching hours for a coach to be eligible for the ACC credential. Keep track of your coaching hours to know if you have met the required hours. If you manually maintain an Excel spreadsheet, you will need to take the time to count the hours so far to track your readiness toward accreditation. If you use the Coaching Log app, the dashboard will automatically include an up-to-date view of your hours toward certification. 

3. Review the coaching log periodically, and consider sharing it with your mentor coach 

Periodically review your coaching log to identify your strengths and areas of improvement. This will help you improve your coaching practice and identify areas where you need additional training or support. Sharing your coaching log with your mentor coach can help you receive feedback and guidance on your coaching practice. Your mentor coach can help you identify areas where you need improvement and offer suggestions on how to improve your coaching practice. 

4. Keep confidentiality in mind 

As a coach, you must maintain confidentiality with your clients. Therefore, it is crucial to keep your coaching log secure and private. Only share it with those who need to know, such as your mentor coach or ICF assessor. If you use the Coaching Log app, all the information is stored on your device (unless you decide otherwise). Notes you take regarding your clients or sessions are your own and will not get included in the automatically generated ICF Excel Spreadsheet*.  

5. Seek support 

Maintaining an up-to-date coaching log can be a daunting task, especially for new coaches. As you increase your hours per week, it will also take more and more time. Therefore, it is essential to seek help from experienced coaches or mentor coaches. They can provide guidance, support, and feedback on your coaching practice, including your coaching log. And don't forget that you can use the Coaching Log app to help you maintain an up-to-date coaching log fast, fun, and easily. 

6. Use Your Coaching Log to Your Advantage

Your coaching log is not only a record of your coaching sessions but also a tool that can help you improve your coaching practice. Use it to identify patterns, areas of improvement, and your strengths. This will help you become a better coach and achieve your coaching goals. Using technology can make it easier to maintain an up-to-date coaching log. You can use for example use the ICF-provided Excel spreadsheet template, or even better, use the Coaching Log app for iOS and Android to log sessions in less than 5 seconds. Make sure to use the best tool for you to help you organize your coaching sessions, track your coaching hours, and keep your coaching log up-to-date.

7. Be Consistent

Consistency is key when it comes to maintaining an up-to-date coaching log.  Ensure to record every coaching session, update it regularly, and review it periodically. This will help you maintain an accurate and up-to-date coaching log, making it easier to achieve your coaching goals. If you decide to use the IFC-provided Excel spreadsheet, schedule 30 minutes per week in your calendar to update your Coaching Log. If you go for the Coaching Log app for iOS and Android, 5 seconds at the end of every session will achieve an even better result. 

8. Use it as a tool for self-reflection and progress evaluation 

Your coaching log can serve as a tool for self-reflection. By reviewing your coaching log, you can identify your strengths and areas of improvement. This will help you become a better coach and offer more value to your clients. Your coaching log can also help you evaluate your coaching progress. By tracking your coaching hours, you can see how far you've come and how much you've achieved. This will help you stay motivated and focused on your coaching goals.

9. Keep Your Coaching Log Organized

Keeping your coaching log organized is essential. Make sure to record every coaching session chronologically, and use clear and concise language. This will make it easier for you to review your coaching log and identify patterns and areas of improvement. If you use the ICF-provided Excel spreadsheet, make sure to use consistent names and log all durations in minutes, enabling you to manually track your progress toward the next accreditation level. If you use the Coaching Log app, this is done automatically for you.

10. Give the Coaching Log app a try and free up time for coaching 

If you are starting your coaching career, or if you've had enough of all the paperwork time required to maintain an Excel spreadsheet manually and want to focus your time on coaching, give the Coaching Log app a try. The standard version is free and works on iOS / iPhone and Android.

In conclusion, maintaining an up-to-date ICF coaching log is critical for coaches who want to improve their coaching practice. By following these tips, you can ensure that your coaching log is accurate and up-to-date, helping you to achieve your coaching goals. Remember to use your coaching log as a tool for self-reflection, evaluation, and improvement, and seek support from experienced coaches or mentor coaches.