Fabyan Japanese Gardens, Geneva, IL ~ © 2004 Nellie Moore
In difficult times, it is only bodhichitta that heals. When inspiration has
become hidden, when we feel ready to give up, this is the time when healing can
be found in the tenderness of pain itself. This is the time to touch the genuine
heart of bodhichitta.
WHEN THINGS FALL APART
Heart Advice for Difficult Times
What Is Life Coaching
My work and passion has always been helping
people to find their joy and doing so from a foundation of wellbeing. An
awakened or noble heart, known as bodhichitta in Sanskrit, coupled with
compassion and loving kindness are the heart of my work. My background includes
over 25 years in wellcare as a Certified Licensed Massage Therapist, Licensed
HeartMath ® 1 on 1 Provider, Licensed Wellness Inventory © Coach, and Reiki
Master Teacher. My practice focus is primarily women and women's wellcare.
What is Coaching? Is Coaching For me? How Can I benefit from Coaching?
…Are you working on a business, project, situation or goal that could use some expert counsel and support?
…Is there a situation or problem that is, causing challenges in your life?
…Are you ready to create your life around what you really want?
…Have you reached that point in your life where it’s time to focus on you?
…Do you desire someone to support you?
This is Coaching.
You may have heard about coaching already. Coaches have been featured in the major media, worldwide, including NBC Nightly News, CBS This Morning, Oprah's Lifestyle Makeovers with coach Cheryl Richardson, the New York Times, CNN, Fast Company Magazine, The Times (London) and the major daily papers in over 20 countries. In fact, since 1996, coaching has been featured extensively -- in hundreds of articles and television segments:
"A personal coach can be the answer when people need a push in more than part of their lives or guidance in setting broad lifestyle goals." -- Dallas Morning News
"Just
as a personal trainer helps build up your muscles, a (business) coach may
strengthen your performance on the job." -- Orlando Sentinel
"[Coaching]...a new profession is developing to provide support, training and
tools to help people grow in their personal, work, social and spiritual lives."
-- Common Boundary
Spirit Coaching... hear your inner voice guiding you, awaken the power within you, discover your intuition, your wysewoman, carry this wisdom into all aspects of your life. "Many people have incorporated their last profession into coaching," said Moore, whose "coaching with spirit" business is the outgrowth of her 20 years of experience in the holistic health-care profession."
-- Nellie Moore - Chicago Tribune
Coaching as a distinct professional service got off the ground in 1992, with the formation of Coach University, which has become the world leader in coach training.
What does this mean to you, your life, and what you want out of it…
Have you ever considered what would be truly possible for you if you had someone in your life who supports you ,believes in you, is infinitely patient yet has the courage to challenge you when needed, tells you that excuses are okay, and who helps you tap into the special skills and talents that most of us have given our lives to seeking?
That last one – special skills and talents – is key, really. You could probably train a dog to bark and wag his tail at all the right times to keep you motivated, and you may be getting enough personal encouragement from your spouse, co-workers, professional network and/or friends.
But who do you spend time with who has been specially trained to help you discover and fully get the most out of that ‘special stuff’ that each human has, but rarely makes the most of?
Many people are busy surviving and following the rules and may not have ever considered that it is possible to live their dreams. . . to experience 'Whole Person Wellness. . . does this describe you?
It’s becoming very clear that we are now at that stage of human, societal and technological development where each person has not just the possibility to reach his or her own potential, but the probability of doing so if she can access the right tools and create a nurturing and challenging personal and professional environment. You have the right to reach your potential, whatever that is. You deserve to be your own person. Think about it. Scientists have said that we use only 7% of our brains. From the look of things, it sure seems like we’re only using 7% of our talents and skills as well. In other words, we’re only using – figuratively – 7% of our lives to live our lives.
Here's something else to consider. . . " During it's long and remarkable history, science has focused almost extensively on looking at what goes wrong with the mind and body rather than at what goes right. But there's been a slight shift in the wind recently, and now it appears that many people in the modern scientific community are being offered the chance to look more closely at the anatomy and physiology of happy, healthy human beings.
Within the past several years, a number of projects have demonstrated very strong links between positive mental states and a reduction in the risk or intensity of various physical illnesses."1
With a coach, you can ‘increase’ the amount of life you are living and focus more on what is right with you.
What is "quality of life" anyway?
Is it making more money? Is it having more time to spend with your kids? Is it discovering the sacred in your world and within you? Is it traveling to every place in the world that holds some attraction for you? Is it Whole Person Wellness? Is it being in service to others? Or is it getting up each morning and looking forward to the day, happy to be alive, no matter what you are doing?
Quality of life is all that, and more…
Quality of life also includes discovering and releasing what does not support you and a strengthening of your essential spirit, your personal foundation, so that your life becomes what you create it to be.
People come to a coach for many reasons. They may want to achieve something, fix something or make an important change in their life. Those are some of the things that we can choose to focus on together.
They may want to work on practical things like starting a business, improving a relationship, creating abundance, choosing a new career, attracting more clients, creating a Life Plan, developing leadership skills, reducing stress , getting a project back on track, prioritizing activities, getting more done during the day without rushing (or maybe it is doing too much during a day and it is time to let go of some things), and having more fun.
You may also want to work on things that at first glance may seem to be more intangible. Something that can directly impact the practical things and in fact make them happen with an ease not thought possible. To gain a quality of life that is a direct result of working on these areas. Those things include looking at how the body, mind and spirit interact. You have the power to change your reality!
These activities may include journaling, meditation, prayer, or going on retreat. They might also include creating a sacred place in or near your home that nurtures you and allows for creative or reflective thinking, joining a supportive community, or physical activities such as exercise that could take many forms including walking, Tai Chi, or Yoga.
I have a background rich in holistic health and wellness and equally rounded with spirituality. I am an entrepreneur and a business owner and I know what it takes to achieve these dreams. I've created balance in my own life and I can help you achieve these same things in yours. Make no mistake though, like you, I am a work in progress. I've made mistakes, 'should on myself' more times than I can count, and likely shared some of the same fears and doubts that you have had. I'm a real person just like you, making my way in the world, the best way I know how and it is a process. I've given myself permission to make mistakes. It's what makes us human, and how we learn. I've had many wonderful teachers over the years and one of them, Bobbie Burdett, shared a few choice tidbits with me that I love and have fully incorporated into my life and my coaching.
They are as follows . . .
"Excuses are Valid. Acknowledge reality - Validate Ability. Enlightenment is lightening up. Self understanding and self compassion are the best way to make changes. Shame is very often the things that sticks us the most. The energy of shame is hiddeness. It is an emotion of feeling small. The 'ugly bug' (the things you least want to look at or deal with) can become beautiful to behold".
I've also learned a great deal from studying the Dharma. I am in no way, shape, or form an expert. I am a humble student with so very much to learn. I have however taken some teachings to heart . And these too inspire my coaching .These are from Ani Pema Chödrön and her teaching of the Dharma. . .
" Learning how to be kind to ourselves, learning how to respect ourselves, is important. The reason it's important is that, fundamentally, when we look into our own hearts and begin to discover what is confused and what is brilliant, what is bitter and what is sweet, it isn't just ourselves that we're discovering. We're discovering the universe.
Since death is certain, and the time of death is uncertain, what is the most important thing "
So what are you waiting
for?
Can a coach really help you do all of that?
Yes. You see, a professional coach has been trained to work with clients on many different types of goals, challenges, and situations. Even friends and family, while usually supportive, are not trained in the art of creating or the process of coaching. Coaching really is a unique set of skills that include what the coach brings to the table from his or her own personal experience. My background includes over 25 years in wellcare as a Certified Licensed Massage Therapist, Licensed HeartMath ® 1 on 1 Provider, Licensed Wellness Inventory © Coach, and Reiki Master Teacher. My work and passion have always been helping people to find their joy and doing so from a foundation of wellbeing.
But shouldn’t I be able to coach myself?
Yes, you can coach yourself. It’s called self-talk and willpower. It
works, but only when you remember, or when you are in the mood. Not good when
you’re in the middle of a huge goal or project and are having problems. Or when
you need a mountain top view of where you’re at and where you’re going. That can
be very difficult to do when you try to go it alone. All you can see is what you
can see. If you
truly want that special something in life, whatever you define that something
as, you’ll likely need an outside view, the support to follow your dreams and a
strategy to get you there. Can you create the change you desire in your life
yourself? Yes, you can! Have you? Why not? If you feel you can, you will. If
not, that is where I come in.
Not convinced?
Okay, let
me ask you this. What Olympic athlete hasn’t used a coach to win the gold medal?
These athletes are already the best in the world. But even they understand the
measurable value of that ‘extra something’ that comes from having someone work
directly with you, someone to point out the stuff that you cannot see, someone
to keep encouraging and challenging you to go beyond your perceived limitations.
There is more evidence of the value of coaching…
Performers, such as actors, dancers and singers almost always use a coach to bring out their best. Sports teams always have a coach and they rely on the supportive relationship that coaching offers. Business executives have often had a coach – someone with whom they could have honest, no-holds-barred discussions as they worked out challenges and developed solutions that couldn’t be done with their executive team, given the biases, politics and power differentials involved.
But I’m not a dancer. I’m not Michael Jordan. I’m not Bill Gates.
Can I still benefit from coaching?
Definitely. All you need to get value from coaching is a strong desire to achieve something, a willingness to learn new ways of going about it, and an openness to include someone else, your coach, in the process. That’s it. That’s all you need. I will support you to determine what your goals are. Maybe you don't even know what your goals are. We can work on that too. Just come as you are. That’s the best place to start.
Coaching works for these basic reasons…
1. Professional Relationship
We have a professional relationship as coach and client. Professional refers to the fact that it's a paid partnering agreement and that your coach is obliged to conduct herself in a professional manner by keeping all interactions completely confidential, acting solely within the interest of you as the client, and behaving appropriately.
2. Self Responsible
You as the client agree to be self responsible. Self-responsible refers to the fact that the client agrees at the outset that he/she is the expert in his/her own life and it is up to him/her to use the coach to get where he/she wants to go. The coach can make recommendations and suggestions, but the results that the client gets will depend on his/her whole-hearted participation in discovering what works and what doesn't and to communicate these results to the coach. The client and coach form a partnership for the achievement of the client's goals.
3. Weekly Sessions…
Coaching works because you’re connecting with me frequently. Most coaches speak with clients once a week, usually by telephone, and in person sessions can also be a part of the overall coaching program. Other formats such as coaching gyms, teleclassses, webinars, email, and fax work well, too and can be done from the comfort of your home or office - we can discuss that when we talk. Having that consistent structure provides a supportive circle for whatever you want to work on. With a coach, you tend to have a tighter focus, generate more commitment and take the actions you know are needed to reach your goals. Talk to me and we can create a relationship that works for you.
4. A Personal Focus…
Coaching works because you focus on you, not just the goal, and they are really one in the same. If your goal and the essence of you, (your core values) are not in balance you will not realize the outcome that you desire.
To work exclusively on the goal (the What) can make you one-dimensional, thus limiting the opportunity you have to develop and evolve, which are key to long-term fulfillment. After all, goals usually don’t bring fulfillment. You bring fulfillment. Reaching goals, while very important, is only one aspect of living well.
Anything that you do that comes about as a result of other people wanting it for you will not stay. Long term change that stays with you for always comes as a result of doing what you do because it comes from your heart, because you want it. Because you love it and you. And because you take small steps to get where you are going That is what coaching is about. Loving you and doing what you love. One step at a time. Everything else happens as a result of that.
How does all of this get done in one coaching session per week?
It’s surprising to most clients just how much does get accomplished in a weekly coaching session. After all, creativity can occur in an instant. Solutions can come to you in a flash. Opportunities can be seen in the blink of an eye. Coaching can be all the catalyst you need. You hold the keys.
But what do we focus on during the coaching session?
That is based on our first session and your over all intentions for coaching. In your first session I assist you to decide what it is that you desire as an outcome of your coaching program. It might be that we focus on the HeartMath ® tools, or maybe you have decided to address Whole Person Wellness and we'll give the next year of coaching to working with the Wellness Inventory . Maybe it is a combination of both of these tools. You might opt to include energy healing modalities such as Reiki or Divine Intervention Spontaneous Remission. Based on what your intentions are, and what you share with me, we will focus on your desired outcome each session so that at the completion of your coaching program, you can see the evidence of what you have created. Your outcome will be based on the willingness and desire that you bring to your sessions . It is important that you give your whole-hearted participation in discovering what works and what doesn't and to communicate these results to the coach.
During each session you share with me on what you’re experiencing. Share with me what is showing up in your life. You share your challenges and I support you to discover your solutions. Excuses are Valid. Acknowledge reality - Validate Ability. As I shared above, the focus is on what is working. We acknowledge the reality of the situation and validate your wonderful, marvelous abilities! You can develop tools – a better way to reach your goals. You can brag and boast and share your triumphs, joyfully! We celebrate them together. You share a dream or vision you have and we look at the elements of it to see what it really looks like and how you can achieve it. You vent, if necessary. You ask for perspective so you can see a situation, or opportunity more clearly. You discover stuff that you didn’t expect to. And you even learn things that you didn’t know you needed.
Click here to see who I work with…
My coaching style is both intuitive and logical. In other words, my left brain and my right brain get along pretty well.
Fees for my programs and services vary. For more information take a look at the various programs and services I offer from this page Pathways To Wellness
To learn about my background and philosophy Click Here
If my style of coaching speaks to you, I might be the coach for you and I would be happy to talk with you about it.
Want to
know more?
Interested in talking? E-mail me . We can then set up a time to spend about an hour together over the phone to talk about what your dreams are and how you would like to manifest them. You'll have an experience of what it feels like to have someone helping you to hold your dreams so that they will become reality. If you feel good about what you hear, that is your opportunity to engage me as a coach. If there’s not a match between us, let me provide you with a referral to a coach who may be a better match. I’m happy to share my time with you, whether we work together or not. It’s part of the service that I offer to everyone who calls.
Note: Live in a different city or state than I do? No problem. Most coaches have
national or international practices, thanks to the phone web and email.
Blessings!
Nellie
1 The Joy of Living ~ Unlocking the Secret & Science of Happiness - Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche © PP 237, 238