True Balance Life Coaching

True Balance Life Coaching was born out of the need to teach that which I most needed to learn. As a former television broadcast maven, I had very little balance in my life. I was a workaholic for many years and allowed myself to easily become attached to the people and projects where I was employed. I was lost down the corporate rabbit hole without a clue!

For a long time it was as if I was living, eating and breathing my work. The conversations at home revolved around work. My closest friends were also working in the same environment. I simply could not get away from the culture with exception of a few weeks each year for a holiday. And even then,  I was convinced that all hell would break loose because was away ( hello ego). I covered my ass to the nth degree before leaving on vacation and jumped back in with vigor upon my return – only to be highly stressed and ready for more R&R within a month or two.  At the time, this sort of behavior was “normal” for me.

About 12 years into my career, my beautiful daughter was born. With the miracle of childbirth began my questioning of EVERYTHING. Children have a way for smacking you upside the head with a dose of what is truly important. I finally understood that I was alive to enjoy so much more than the corporate role I was playing at that time. Upon further inspection, I became super conscious of the nefarious activities going on around me.   Office politics was never my strong suit. Understanding the games being played was probably the reason I survived in an unhealthy environment for as long as I did. Suddenly, situations which hadn’t phased me in the past were driving me stark raving mad! I simply had to explore my options outside of leadership in the realm of TV advertising.

Thankfully, I discovered  professional Life Coaching and knew I’d  found the right fit. I was qualified to be a coach even before earning my life coaching certification. I had a wealth of experience as a leader. I loved supporting people to reach their goals and dreams. I had a ton of sales and marketing experience.  I was ready to be free. Ready to make a difference.

From the moment of my skin crawling epiphany, it took me a little under 3 years to leave the only career I’d ever known along with the fat paycheck and perks.

The process of carving out my life on my terms is incredibly rewarding. I am stoked  that  I made the choice to move on from the crazy and be present and available for my daughter. I have never looked back.

Are you contemplating a significant career transition?  Telltale signs you may be ready to jump ship include:

• Noticing that there is more to life than being a slave to the rhythm
• Not wanting to get out of bed in the morning
• Realizing you have no respect for the leadership of your organization
• Using up your sick time and personal time to avoid going into the office
• Coming home feeling drained and unfulfilled.
• Spending a great deal of your time trapped by or wrapped up in corporate politics

If any of these examples resonate with you, it may be time to move on. If you want to explore this further, you are welcome to visit my personal scheduler and set up a coaching call. Simply click on the Get Focused Now Button and you will be transported to Time Trade to schedule a session. It’s easy!

 

“Action cures fear, inaction creates terror.” -Douglas Horton

I trust you will enjoy this article written by the brilliant Thomas Leonard, recognized by many as the father of life coaching.

Most of us realize that when it comes to achieving the results we seek in our lives, taking action is better than putting things off.  It only makes sense, yet we all struggle with some degree of procrastination at times.

A Professional Life Coach can help you see the insidious nature of procrastination and the enormous impact it has on your life. Furthermore, your coach can hold you accountable as you work to overcome this obstacle to action and future results. Your Life Coach will help you see the costs of procrastination allowing you to uncover and eliminate self-limiting behaviors.

What are the Costs of Procrastination?

• Powerlessness and lack of inner strength
• Poor self confidence and low self esteem
• Guilt and worry
• Undermined trust in yourself
• People will tend not to rely on you or trust you
• People won’t ask you to do great things because they don’t think you’re up to it (they usually can read this from your own unspoken self-image)
• Limited ability to achieve results
• Low self-respect and behaviors in your life that reflect that (e.g., won’t look after yourself as well, impacting health, grooming, continuing education, etc.)
• Integrity in all areas of your life will be low
• Your life will be nothing more than mediocre

What are some of the “Benefits” of this behavior?

• You avoid taking risks
• You have excuses for not achieving things
• You remain in your “comfort zone”
• You continue to have something to complain about

Can you end Procrastination?

Becoming aware of your situation and taking action is one of the essential behaviors of extraordinary people. Being “in action” enables you to be highly productive and effective and to inspire those around you.  It builds your self-esteem and you get to discover and overcome what you are afraid of because you’re confronting it all the time.  However, it does take courage, discipline and integrity. To be in action you need to be impeccable with your word. This means being honest with yourself, to always do what you say you’re going to do. Your Life Coach will support you with this. The path to action is to choose awareness in every moment of our lives.  When you ask yourself “will I or won’t I” the answer is always yes. Even if the question is “will I wait?” Choose consciously, choose powerfully and remember, action cures fear!

Coaching Contemplation:

How do you manage bouts with procrastination?

Do you have a success story about moving through your fear to take action?

I wrote this post 6 months ago for a friends blog. I think it’s perfect for the True Balance community. Enjoy.

“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities. In the expert’s mind there are few.” -Shunryu Suzuki

Shoshin is a concept in Zen Buddhism meaning Beginner’s Mind. It refers to the openness, eagerness, and lack of preconception a beginner brings to their study of a subject.

When we practice Shoshin, we can experience learning just as a beginner would, even when studying at an advanced level.

For me Beginner’s Mind means allowing new experiences to unfold without grand expectations; to be immersed in the experience, rather than in my thoughts about what the experience should be.

This openness allows me to indulge my curiosity, jump into uncharted waters, and remain a dedicated and interested student of life for the rest of my days on this planet.

As the mother of a young daughter, I witness Beginner’s Mind every day.

This maternal observation, coupled with the fact that I am an experiential learner, supports a natural state of wonderment—a way to squeeze even more sweetness out of each day.

Beginner’s Mind is nourished by being open, curious, and fearless. When you have no preconceptions, there is no room for internal competition or an overactive ego, and no need to be fully proficient. It’s more about showing up and seeing what happens next.

Here are some examples of how Shoshin shows up in my life. As you read through these examples, draw parallels to your own work, activities, and interests. You may be surprised by what you find!

Photography

I love taking photographs with my new camera. The G10 is my creative partner when exploring the beautiful countryside of northern Michigan. Each time I capture the rich textures, light, and colors of a natural landscape, it takes my breath away. Whether I’m fooling around with artistic reflections, or lying on my belly to take a sweet shot at the beach, I get a charge out of experimenting with new lenses, settings, and shots.

Every time I venture outdoors with my camera, Beginner’s Mind is part of me. I am not an aspiring professional photographer, but I truly enjoy the experience of seeing a stunning image emerge from within a sea of photos.

Playing the Piano

I and my family have become the stewards of a baby grand piano for a newly married couple who moved across the country. For more than two years, this piano has been nothing more than a gorgeous piece of furniture. Taunting me with her ivory keys, she reminds me daily that I have an unspecified window of time to learn to play her before she is reclaimed.

Just last week I received some basic instruction manuals, and now I am learning to read music. Using numbered fingers and a posted key guide, I learned to play “Old McDonald Had a Farm.” Someday, if I keep my Beginner’s Mind open, I know I’ll be able to play anything I wish.

Cooking

I am a fearless cook, thanks to growing up with a mother who was always experimenting with new recipes. Mom taught me how to prepare, and enjoy, good food. When I find new recipes that sound delicious, I go for them.

When I learn about new ingredients and cooking methods, I just have to give them a whirl. My current mission is to learn new techniques for preparing healthier foods. It’s an exploration, and my family has suffered through a few lousy meals, but I’m staying open to the possibilities. After all, anyone can learn to cook if they’re willing to make a big mess and eat a few less-than-appetizing concoctions.

Writing

Writing is something that snuck up on me a few short years ago, and when it did, it spun me around like a whirlwind. Since then, I have co-authored two successful books and authored Life on Your Terms.

Thanks to Beginner’s Mind, I was able to take small steps, and ask for support along the way from technical writers and copy editors. When preparing the final manuscript for Life On Your Terms, Beginner’s Mind made all the difference.

I still have a lot to learn to hone my craft, and my book isn’t perfect, but I find that the more I write, the more clearly I communicate in all areas of my life. I still put commas in the wrong places and get my tenses fouled up, but I don’t need to be perfect. It’s enough for me to be a writer in the process of improving her skills.

Archery

I have a beautiful longbow that I shoot at a target stacked on a bale of hay. Sometimes I even hit the target more than I miss. I don’t shoot to hit the bull’s eye, though: for me, it’s about the process, and being in the moment. Slowing down my breath, setting up the shot, pulling back on the string as I inhale, then releasing with a whoosh on the exhale; it’s a lot like yoga.

What’s more, every shot that’s released has a chance of hitting the target, and the chances get better the more I breathe and focus—kind of like life!

Life Coaching

Transition coaching is my passion and professional calling. One of the reasons why I love the business of life coaching is because each client session beckons me to be fully present and curious.

Even though I have loads of hours of coaching experience, I am humbled by how much there still is for me to learn. I treat each new client with kindness and respect, because they know themselves better than I ever could.

My job is to show up without any preconceived notion, listen and learn. Staying in Shoshin helps me do my best work for others.

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands, but in seeing with new eyes.” -Marcel Proust

All you need to enjoy Beginner’s Mind is the courage to step forward with an open mind and allow your curiosity to unfold. There’s no need for perfection. You don’t have to be great at everything you have an interest in. Instead, become a student of life. You deserve to sample, investigate, and experience life with unfiltered enthusiasm!

Questions:

When have you experienced Beginner’s Mind? How did it feel?

What are you most curious about?

What is stopping you from sampling a new interest? How can Shoshin help you overcome this block?

How will you infuse Beginner’s Mind into your expertise?