Treat Yourself to a Coaching Class

I think you remember the story of how/why I started taking coaching classes, right?  If not, here is the Reader's Digest version.  I had adored Sue's coaching skills for well over a year.  I kept saying to Sue, I just want your skills.  You are such a good listener, communicator, question asker....  Sue said, Go take the coaching classes.

What?  I could take the coaching classes even though I didn't want to be a coach (that part has since changed).

Yes!  I sure could.  Anyone can take CTI's coaching classes.  All you have to do is sign up - no prerequisites required.  And so I did.  My life was changed.  And now, I have taken four of the five classes they offer and LOVE them, which you already knew.  The first class (called, Fundamentals) is super affordable (compared to the other classes CTI offers).  But, every. single. class. is worth its weight in gold.  Trust me.

If you would like to try out the first class, Fundamentals, I have a coupon for $200 off.  That means the class will be $500 instead of $700 - whew.  Just mention this code CONNECT2014 when you register.  And then be ready for some of the highest quality instruction you will see in your life time.

Yep, it's that good.

Best,
Jen

19 Strangers, 3 hours, and $500

On Tuesday of this week, I blogged about my recent coach training.  Remember how every part of me has changed?

Well, I am not alone.  There were about 20 other people with me.  Twenty other people studying {life} coaching, too.  19 of them were strangers to me; I only knew Julie from AHOPE.

Those 19 aren't strangers anymore.

It just so happens I was bringing to Julie all the Rainbow Loom Project donations on the last day of our class.  I won't share the specifics of how many bracelets were donated at this moment, but tomorrow I will.  Let's just say, it is incredible.  You are incredible.

To make a long story short, our coaching classmates wanted to see the bracelets as most of them weren't familiar with Rainbow Looms (they must not have school-aged children, right?).  Julie and I shared the bracelets and the story behind them and AHOPE and the Rainbow Loom Project.  So much to share.

Then, something magical happened.

Our classmates started writing checks, diving into their wallets for cash, and visiting the ATM at lunch. By the end of class - three hours later - our classmates had given over $500 for AHOPE.

$500.

Those 19 strangers.  Those 19 people that neither Julie or I knew 48 hours before.  Those 19 new friends - coaches - showed what can happen when you give and care and want to change the world.

I am grateful for them, their giving, and for Julie - my passionate, talented friend,

Jen

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

In Every Molecule

If you follow me on Instagram, you saw I was at a coaching class all weekend long - Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  If you are totally confused or just curious about "coaching," you might want to get acquainted with my blog post here about it.  Or here.  Or here.   That last one, by the way, was a heavy day of coaching.  Sue earned her money coaching me that day.  It's insanely crazy what can happen in one, 30-minute session.  In-sane.

Which brings me to right now.  I am just four hours after my 3-day coaching class completion and I am certain.  Call me clarity.  There are things I know.

I know.....

• I will never, ever be the same person I was on Friday morning.
• I am stronger than I've ever been in my entire life.
• My confidence in myself is Richter scale worthy.
• I am not playing it safe anymore.  It doesn't serve me or others.
• There are things I want in life and I will get them.  
• I will get all. of. them.  ALL.  OF.  THEM.
• "Them" pertains to every important aspect of my life - family, parenting, marriage, work, projects, dreams, and interests.
• I would kick myself for just now realizing "they" were right in front of me.  I won't be kicking myself anymore.  The days of being my toughest critic are over.  I've said things to myself that I wouldn't say to the most hardened criminal.

You know what else I know?

I know every parent and teacher needs a coach.

I know that every molecule in my body has changed.  

I am eternally grateful.

There is so much more to come.  I'm shaking my head because it is unreal and yet so very real.

I am a class five white-water rapid and I am clearing the path.

Jen