Career & Life Coaching
A Message from the Hopi Elders states...
”We are the ones we have been waiting for.
"To our fellow swimmers - there is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift, that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold onto the shore, they will feel they are being torn apart and will suffer greatly. Know that the river has its destination. The Elders say that we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our head above the water. And we say, see who is there with you and celebrate. At this time in history we are to take nothing personal, least of all ourselves, for the moment that we do, our Spiritual growth and journey come to a halt. The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves. Banish the word struggle from your attitude and vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.We are the ones we have been waiting for.”
I have long loved the above quotation. It speaks to our world which seems to be spinning every faster and to our reactions which include fear, anger, paralysis, confusion, aggression and, yes, even hatred.
My coaching is about learning how to swim in this new and rapidly moving river. Clients come to me who know they need to "let go", but don't know of what, or when; much less of how.
Our work together is to know when, how and what to let go of and to build the "life-vest" that will keep your head above water, even when you move through and over the rapids.
Together we will identify and search for fellow swimmers who can accompany us, teach us and cheer us on as we move through this new time in our lives.
Our work together will be "intentional" and "sacred" as is any work that goes to the center of who you are and who you wish to be at this time in your life, your work, your family, your community and in the world.
I use traditional tools such as compiling past history, success stories and tales of frustration, together we analyze and assess life/work up to this moment in time, we create a future vision, create an action plan and then measure your progress. However, the fuel and vitality of our work arises from practices that will address your "spirit" and the sanctified places in your heart so that your vision of your future is built upon meaning and purpose.
Our work is to identify and support the person you have been waiting for in your life.
5 Stages of Behavioral Change and Transformation: Moving from Unconscious to Conscious Living and Working:
Stage One: Unconscious Incompetence
This is when we discover and become aware of what we did not know about ourselves - we uncover this through assessments, feedback from others and deep conversation
Stage Two- Conscious Incompetence
This is the level when you are ready to accept the knowledge of where your incompetence resides (we all have areas of incompetence, no matter how much prior work we have done on ourselves!). Once you can accept this new awareness of yourself, you are ready to take action and we can begin planning.
Stage Three: Practicing
Now is the time when you need to try on new behaviors, try out new ways to communicate, to behave and react, even new ways to think. This time feels awkward, unsure, and very self-conscious. Change is never easy and this is a period of transition when we are asking ourselves to let go of a known way of being and thinking and reacting and find the courage and resolve to reach out for new, unexplored and yet untested skills. You gain competence through practice, failing, doing it again, self acceptance and soon small successful steps leading to...
Stage Four: Conscious Competence
This is a time of great excitement and freedom. You begin to shift as you substitute new approaches or ways of thinking about a situation and break old patterns that no longer serve you, not your relationships with others. It is exhilarating and yet you must stay aware, thoughtful and vigilant that these new shifts become ingrained so that you reach the last stage...
Stage Five: Mastery (Unconscious Competence!)
Mastery occurs when the new behaviors. thoughts, attitudes and feelings become "natural". They have become integrated and a part of you that no longer feels strained or awkward or that you need to consciously apply. Yo have reached a new level of being that will serve you at this time of your life.
Most of us can experience a series of these evolutions - sometimes we need to come back for more coaching - but when we do, we have the experience of past success to inspire us to keep going.
The Structure of Coaching:
Call for a FREE Decision Making Interview:
(845-706--3114)
What is a "Decision Making Interview?
Before I begin work with anyone, I schedule a 30-40 minute coaching interview to:
1) identify the issues that are important to you to address
2) what will be the cost to you of not dealing with them as well as the benefits that could occur?
3) and most importantly, to evaluate if you are ready for coaching now AND if you and I will make a success team.
#3 - We make this final evaluation together at the end of our call. I must decide if I think coaching is the right approach for you and if I am the best person for you to work with. You must honestly answer the same questions for yourself - right there and then on the call.
Then, if we think we have the "right stuff" to work together we will schedule session, discuss fees and how payments are made. If we don't think the chemistry or the timing is correct, I can refer you to others who might better serve your needs.
Coaching is conducted primarily by scheduled telephone sessions 3 times a month. However, many clients benefit greatly from quarterly or once yearly face-to-face sessions that can last for 3 hours, a day or even over a weekend. As the structure is customized for each client, a variety of formats is possible.
Small group coaching is also being planned for 2010.
So, if Coaching sounds like it might be the right approach at exactly the right time, I ask you to call me at 845-706-3114 for your scheduled Decision Making Interview!
