Amateur to Pro

Virginia Woolf wrote, “...for a self that goes on changing is a self that goes on living.” We all recognize the truth in Woolf’s words, yet we expend incredible energy to resist change! I know people who prefer a certain death to the uncertainty of change.

A list of 52 resolutions my clients have shared with me this year.

"Identity" refers to who you are as a person. It is not determined by what you say, hope for or what others want you to be. However, the way others perceive you can give you a good indication of your “Identity”. Our “Identity” is shaped by the choices we make and the actions we take on a daily basis. Walking our talk is the ultimate decider of our “Identity”.

Powerful coaching happens on three distinct but beautifully integrated levels: Identity, Mindset and Strategies and Tactics.

Deep and sustainable transformation, the kind that sticks even after we are complete with a coaching program, can only occur through a commitment to regular practice — a fundamental principle of powerful coaching. If we want to lead a more meaningful and fulfilling life, we must dedicate ourselves to one or more practices, just as we would if we were learning a new language, sport, or business ski...

Words have the power to shape our reality. Language is not just a way to communicate or interpret; language acts as a call to, or just as importantly, an inhibitor to action — Shane Parrish. Language is action. This truth is particularly apparent in this profoundly challenging and historic moment for the Jewish people.

"How do I make it happen??" was the question I often asked myself as I grew up and well into adulthood. I was raised to be independent, resourceful, and high-achieving. Bars were not set low in my family. I embraced that perspective and elevated it further because, for whatever reason, I felt compelled to deconstruct and reimagine what others considered ‘good enough.’

One of the foundational practices of Life Coaching is helping our clients understand the distinction between being a victim and having a victim mindset. So many of us navigate through life with a victim mindset, convinced that external circumstances control our fate instead of realizing our own power to shape it. When we embrace this mindset, we often find ourselves depleted of energy, creativity,...

Professional Coach Rich Litvin advises that those who have embraced coaching as our profession refrain from labeling themselves as "Coaches." In his article, “Never ever say you’re a Coach,” he explains, “Coaching isn’t a title. It’s a tool.” He continues to say, “I’m not a ‘Coach’. Coaching is just one of the tools in my tool belt. Sometimes, I’m a Coach. Sometimes, I’m a Consultant. Sometimes, I...

Life before GPS, cell phones, and text messaging may seem different from today, but it wasn't a constant struggle. We managed just fine. We found our way to places, stayed in touch with loved ones, and generally stayed safe. Bad things didn't happen more often just because we couldn't be reached around the clock!

I have no words for the jumble of emotions that have me so moved in this moment. Nothing sad, bad, or particularly emotional has happened. It is the most quotidian of mornings. But here’s the thing.

Why does commitment have to be such a zero-sum game? Or does it? Regarding most behaviors, a little bit is better than nothing. The foundation of successful coaching is helping folks take one small step at a time. Small steps forward can be a powerful strategy for attaining seemingly daunting and impossible goals. But when it comes to commitment, taking small steps doesn’t do the job.

Across all my conversations with friends and clients, the phrase I hear most often these days is, “I’m exhausted.” This is a surprising statement on so many levels. Firstly, these are not folks who are working 80 hour weeks! Secondly, regardless of their age, they possess the means to travel, socialize, and enjoy their hobbies. So why are they exhausted?

Most of us believe that inspiration is an occasional occurrence. We hear someone’s heroic story, visit a new country, or watch an extraordinary athletic performance, and suddenly, we are inspired! But for how long? Not very… unless we take charge and embrace the concept of inspiration as a force that we can allow into our lives on a daily basis.

Last week’s article — 9 Insights That Changed Me Forever — garnered significant attention from folks in my coaching community. Many reached out with life changing insights of their own. When we slow down to reflect on where we were, or rather who we were, a decade ago, and who we are today, we can’t help but notice change.

I’m often asked to share these very personal insights. So, in no particular order, here are 9 that helped me change my personality and consequently my life.

The antithesis of Good Enough Parenting is Perfectionist Parenting and it rests on the foundation of the belief that we need to optimize every aspect of our children’s lives. But the consequences of raising our children as our projects are now evident to so many of us.

Being a serious person is not about putting on a performance of seriousness, but rather a way of thoughtful and deliberate living. It's the art of being fully present and conscious of our actions, creating systems that keep us alert, awake, and attentive.

I put it to you that every effort we make at communicating stems from one of two mindsets. We are either aiming for connection or for control. How do you identify?

You see, beliefs are simply thoughts that we have practiced over and over again until they appear to us as facts. When we are able to see the difference between facts and beliefs, we realize how much more powerful we are than we imagined.

I’m often asked what I do in a coaching session that is so valuable. I’m also asked to share my “framework” and “curriculum.” The simple answer I give is, “We talk and your life changes.”