Your Life is the Great Adventure

FAQs

• What is your typical process for working with a new customer?

  My typical process for working with a new client is as follows: First we have our initial conversation which is an hour long and complimentary. During this session we discuss the details of what the client is experiencing and what they would like to be experiencing. I make some recommendations during this session and we do some limited coaching, but the primary purpose of this session is to answer the questions: What is going on in the client’s life that inspired them to seek a coach right now? What are the client's pressing concerns, if any? What is the client looking to get from the coaching relationship? After we’'re clear on these questions, we discuss the kind of program I could put together to address the client’s needs. We also discuss some basic information about coaching and about moving forward with coaching. If the client knows at this point that they want to move forward, we will discuss things such as the specific time and frequency that we'’ll meet. I’'ll request an email that can be used by me to send personal messages to the client throughout the coaching experience and we’'ll briefly discuss the “initial packet” that I'’ll send to the client’s' email address which includes the following items: • A questionnaire which helps the client explore their coaching desires in further depth, • A values assessment which helps the client to explore their personal values (optional to complete), • And the coaching agreement outlining the terms that we agreed upon. I will also send a request for payment of the coaching fee via PayPal. If the client isn't ready to move forward yet, we’'ll leave it open for the client to have some time to think about it and I’'ll make sure we have each other’s' emails and phone numbers so that I can answer any additional questions the client may have. I think it'’s important to note that I believe that it'’s up to the client to be ready to take the next step in their journey. The coaching experience is transformative. I’'ve experienced it and I'’ve had the privilege of witnessing others’ transformation. It’'s a catalyst for great change which requires effort on the client’'s part. So, while I strongly encourage people to take this step that will improve their lives for the rest of their lives, the decision to take this step must come from the client. The client must be ready and willing to make the effort. And when they are: Prior to the first coaching session, if applicable, I will send a draft of recommended strategies and practices for the client to review. These are habits to be developed and implemented by the client outside of our coaching time. This is in addition to any action items related to goal achievement. The list may include daily practices and habits to develop or it may be information related to strategies to address situational challenges. These habits and strategies help to build a strong foundation to support the client as they make changes. Our coaching sessions will focus on the mental aspect of any challenges (as many strategies, while very effective, are just band aides) and moving the client toward realizing their goals.

• What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?

  My work experience has provided a great deal of "hands on" experience related to the work environment. My coach training through iPEC (an ICF accredited coach training institution), covered a wide range of areas. This training was designed to provide a foundation that equips graduates to coach clients in any area. I have also attended seminars, teleseminars, webinars and/or have read books to provide additional knowledge in the following areas: Communication, Assertiveness and setting boundaries, Stress management and reducing anxiety, Emotional intelligence and relationships, Managing your emotions, Raising your self-confidence, Raising your self-esteem, Developing positive habits, Shifting negative self-talk to positive self-talk, Navigating life changes, Overcoming fears, Managing and supervising employees, Time management, Overcoming procrastination, Improving organization skills, and Finding your passion/life purpose. I think it's important to note that I also have experience coaching in the following areas: Relationships –(both personal and professional); Career decisions; Managing and supervising; Difficult conversations; Difficult bosses and co-workers; Developing positive habits; Raising self-confidence and worthiness; Overcoming procrastination/Motivation; Work/Life balance;Time management; Overcoming fears and anxieties; and Improving negative self-talk

• What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?

  Choose a coach you feel comfortable with. To get the best results, it’'s important for you to be completely open and honest with your coach. It’'s normal to want to put ourselves in what we think is a good light, but in the coaching relationship this impedes progress. Pay close attention to how comfortable you feel sharing honestly with your potential coach. All coaches I know are more than happy to have a conversation with a potential client, so don’'t be shy. You’re investing both time and money in yourself. Allow yourself to get the information you need to make the best choice for you. Choose a coach who resonates with your own sense of truth. You will feel this when you read the things a person writes and when you hear the things a person says. If what you read and hear feels like truth to you, then this person is in sync with your own internal guidance. You will be asked to try new things during the coaching process. Resonating with your coach will help you to feel more comfortable with new ideas and concepts. Choose a coach who knows how to coach. There is more to coaching than making suggestions and “problem solving”. While a coach’'s background knowledge is valuable, in my experience, coming up with possible solutions is easy. An effective coach knows how to help a client find the solution that works best for that client and then knows how to help the client move forward through the implementation phase. An effective coach knows how to help you create the best plan of action for you, how to move you past your inner blocks and how to keep your momentum going. Choose a coach with quality training. A coach shouldn’'t reach out to you unless they believe they have the background to help you, but you have to believe that they have the background to help you as well. A good coach training program is one way to increase your comfort level. Check to see if the training program is ICF accredited. An ICF accredited training program must meet certain minimum standards. ICF accredited training programs state this on their websites. iPEC is an ICF accredited training program that easily exceeds the minimum requirements. This program teaches a coaching process created and developed from many areas and fields including: consulting, mentoring, metaphysics, psychotherapy, NLP, emotional intelligence, leadership development, and various learning theories. This proven coaching methodology is based on 30 years of research and field-tested best practices. Students learn many techniques and strategies to prepare them to provide clients with high quality service. iPEC is all about empowering the client. Our goal is to empower you to play at a higher level in all areas of your life through the coaching process.