Coming for You

I just spent three days at a {life} coaching training in Washington, DC.  Seriously, I don't even know where to begin.

After my last three days of training, I wrote this post and shared how every molecule in my body had changed.  I think that happened again.  Every part of me has changed.

This course was on balance - life, work, relationship, any balance - and how to help myself and others achieve that. The tools and my new skills are incredible - which may sound completely arrogant - but, I am not kidding.  What I learned is life-changing and because CTI is masterful at teaching (more on that in a moment), I completely had the opportunity to hone my new skills and grow them.  I even used my new skills & tools on a coachee already; the coaching session was transformational for that person and I credit my CTI training.

Now, you know I am a trained educator - a teacher.  I take teaching, learning, and instruction VERY seriously.  Probably my highest compliment in the world is to say a training or class is well done and valuable.  CTI takes "well done" and "valuable" to a level that is nirvana-like. Never in my life have I attended not one, but THREE trainings/classes so thoughtfully crafted and 100% valuable to me and every single person I come in contact with in life.  I am not exaggerating when I say I can use these skills and tools at my college, with students, in my classes, with colleagues, with my family, in my parenting, in all my relationships, and the best part, I can assist others as they move forward in their own lives.

I cannot thank my college enough for supporting me in this training.  Lil O and Mr. U for giving me the thumbs up for taking off every few months for the three-days.  And for Sue, my incredible coach.  Oh, Sue.  I told you over a year ago I wanted your skills - I wanted to be a better listener, communicator, professor, wife, mother, family member, and friend.  You said, Go!  Go take the CTI classes.  You don't have to be a coach to take them.  

I am so grateful for you saying GO!  I am becoming a better me.

....Oh, and World, I'm coming for you!

Jen

What Would Jedi Do?

Sometimes when I am stuck on something in life and Sue, the {life} coach, is coaching me, she'll ask....

What would Jedi do?

The answer is like magic, right?  You know what Jedi would do.  He would go with the flow, be in the moment, not fret or worry or try to predict the future.  He would shake things off and then go about his day.

Life lessons from Mr. Furry Pants.

I'll be at a {life} coaching training for the next few days.  Catch up with you soon!

Jen

One My Favorites with Sue

I mentioned in this blog post I had one of my favorite coaching sessions with Sue recently.  If you are confused about the coaching part, do a search for "coaching" in this blog's search window and you'll find the entire back story, plus a bunch of posts on the topic and Sue.

This particular coaching session I had with Sue was the first of 2014 and Sue asked a ton of curious questions about 2013 - high, lows, lessons learned, etc. - and then delved right into 2014.  Two of my favorite parts of that session were these:

One:  Sue asked me if I wanted to set some early 2014 goals.  Why, yes!  I love a good goal - it keeps me focused and aligned with my values.  I set three early 2014 goals for myself:

1. Teaching a parenting class that infuses coaching and teaching strategies (that are well-suited for parenting) and collaborate with a new entity to do so.  I have the class all set and I will blog about the class tomorrow in case you are semi-local and can attend.
2. Having coffee dates with friends whom I have neglected.  My goal is ten. I am currently up to eight coffee dates!  Woot!  I will share some pics of those later in the week.  To reach my goal (and surpass it), I have coffee dates (hikes, lunches, etc.) all set up for the next few weeks with Carey, Shannon, Erin, and Courtney. Plus, fingers crossed, a coffee date with Amy - a fabulous former student of mine turned amazing educator.
3. Taking on a handful of coaching clients.  My time is slightly limited to take on too many clients.  Between offering coaching at my college (to my students & brave colleagues), my "real" job, my family, this blog and my love of downtime, I have to keep this goal in check.  Though, I think every human on the planet could benefit from a coach, I will only be able to coach so many on my own.  I will share more about this goal & opportunity towards the end of the week in case you are interested in becoming a coachee (please :).

Two:  My second favorite part of that coaching session with Sue was a question.  Sue asked me something to this effect:  What will keep you from your goals?  But, it was the follow-up question that got me:  What advice would 80-year old Jen give you?

You know what 80-year old Jen said?  Grandma Jen said, "Why are you so afraid?  You have a mad skill set.  You have people rooting for you.  If you fail, you can just tweak and try again.  You can do this."

And with that, I smiled and knew Grandma Jen was right.  Quit thinking so much about not reaching your goals and start making progress towards them.

I'm curious.  Do you set goals and hold yourself accountable for them?

Yours bravely,

Jen

PS - I've said this a hundred times to Sue.  She will forever be one of the top five people in my life that has changed the course of it for the better.  Every human needs a Sue.

Bicycle Analogy

As you already know, Team Upcycled Education - the cycling team - is due to roll out late spring.  Sue, my life coach (have I mentioned how much I adore having a life coach?) is partnering with the team as a sponsor.  Yay!

Sue wrote a lovely blog post about coming full circle, getting involved with the team, and comparing a bicycle to life.  Yep, a bicycle analogy.  Does it get any better?

See for yourself here.

Best,

Jen