frequently asked questions
There are some fairly common questions and comments I hear, the answers are below. If there is another question you have, I’m happy to answer, email me here.
DO I HAVE TO LEAVE MY CURRENT JOB IN ORDER TO BE HAPPY?
I DON'T WANT TO DO WHAT I'M DOING ANYMORE, BUT IT IS ALL I KNOW. HOW CAN I CHANGE CAREERS AT THIS POINT? d
HOW LONG DOES COACHNG TAKE TO WORK?
IF I QUIT MY JOB AND DO SOMETHING I LOVE I'LL NEVER MAKE ANY MONEY.
IT'S NOT JUST MY JOB, I'M NOT SURE WHAT IS THE PROBLEM. CAN YOU HELP?
ARE YOU THE RIGHT COACH FOR ME
DO I HAVE TO LEAVE MY CURRENT JOB IN ORDER TO BE HAPPY?
That is up to you. My clients fall into one of three categories: 1) Stay with their current company, create structures and boundaries, perhaps redefine their job or create a new role so that their work is better aligned with their values. You’d be surprised how open companies are to creating roles for their best talent, rather than lose them and the investment they have made in them. 2) Stay in the same industry, but find the right company/role to fit in to. Each company has its own personality and set of values they operate from. Sometimes it is just about finding the right home for your talents to shine. Then there is the third group: these are the people who make wholesale changes to pursue their passions. Sometimes this means making a bold move to a different industry, sometimes it means taking their skills to the NFP sector, sometimes it is entrepreneurship. We’ll figure this out together, a process that is a whole lot less daunting and dare I say, fun, once you begin to get a handle on what is driving the need for change in your life.
I DONT WANT TO DO WHAT I AM DOING ANYMORE, BUT IT IS ALL I KNOW. HOW CAN I CHANGE CAREERS AT THIS POINT?
Most of my clients are 10-15 years into their career, some even 20+ years in. During that time, many skills are acquired, beyond just accounting or marketing or sales or account management or you name it, and those skills are all transferrable. The things that have driven your success thus far will continue to contribute to your success, whatever you choose to do. When I was in the thick of my career transformation, someone said to me “look at the success you have had doing something that wasn’t your passion? Imagine what is possible when you are doing something you love!” Yes, just imagine. As your coach, I will work with you to identify your greatest gifts and talents and the passion that drives you and leverage those things to new employers in a compelling way.
HOW LONG DOES COACHING TAKE TO WORK?
The answer is “that depends.” For many, by the time they have made the decision to invest in a coach, the pain points are high enough to provide motivation and incentive for change. Most feel the positive impacts of coaching from the very first session—shifts happen quickly when you begin shining the light in the right places and have inspiration, support and accountability in place. For some, the simple act of having taken the step to make a call is very powerful. For many, the inspiration of talking with someone who has walked in their shoes starts the ball rolling.
That said, I have clients that have accomplished goals they set for themselves within three months of the start of coaching. I also have clients who, even upon having accomplished their goals, continue to coach for the ongoing support it lends to living in their happy place. An interesting fact: about 40% of my client base at any time consists of clients who are returning to coaching for a “refresher” or because they have new aspirations they want support in realizing. I have clients I have worked with on and off since 2002. Coaching is powerful. Coaching works.
IF I QUIT MY JOB AND DO SOMETHING I LOVE I'LL NEVER MAKE ANY MONEY.
I love this one. Our internal saboteurs do a wonderful job of convincing us that either we stay in the job that has us miserable and be able to keep paying the bills, or we follow our passion and live in a hovel. Guess what? I not only believe it is possible to do what you love and make money, but I see it again and again through my clients. And furthermore, I not only think it is possible, but I think it is your birthright to pursue that which makes you happy! Life is something to live fully, passionately and joyfully; it is not something to be merely tolerated.
IT'S NOT JUST MY JOB, I'M NOT SURE WHAT IS THE PROBLEM. CAN YOU HELP?
It is rarely just one thing that is out of whack. As we get farther away from honoring our values, other things get pulled down, too—a negative spiral. And rarely is life so simple that we can compartmentalize. I coach the whole person. Find one point of entry, begin to make changes, and that helps to bring things up all around. Sometimes the job is just a symptom, sometimes the job is the problem. Through our initial discovery we will use exercises and tools to get clear on the source of your struggle and begin addressing it.
ARE YOU THE RIGHT COACH FOR ME?
Great question! Only you can answer that. Choosing a coach to be your guide and champion through change is a bit like choosing any other professional; you want someone who you connect with, who gets you, who will hold your vision and inspire you forward. That is why I offer a complimentary coaching session to all potential clients– a test drive, if you will. You need to know that I am the right coach for you, and I can’t imagine any other way to determine that than to give it a try.
And do yourself the favor of interviewing more than one coach. We all have a different style, choose the coach that best suites you.
Are you ready?