Life Coach and Life Coaching Articles

You’re in your car, you’ve got your navigation on and directed where to go, your seat belt is fastened, the mirrors adjusted and you’re ready to roll! You’re foot is on the gas but you’re not going anywhere… Your gauges are fine, your tank is full of gas, so why aren’t you moving forward? Oh, now you see – you’re stuck in Neutral, and the car must be in Drive in order to move ahead. (Don’t feel bad – many people are stuck in Neutral and can’t figure out why they’re not moving forward.)

In our world of bigger, faster, stronger, better, we often overlook what it takes to get that way. We act on impulse and will sacrifice our future for the day at hand. Have you thought about how your current actions affect the world around you or your future? It was the act of a small child ...

I was talking with a friend who is in the middle of a divorce, who has a lot of free time in the evenings, and it is driving him nuts! In today’s society many people are buried in ‘busy’ and are looking for a moment just to themselves. This guy doesn’t know what to do with himself. We talked ...

Maybe it’s a famous wedding planner, talk show host, or a local business man or woman. Whoever it is you admire, and want to be like, has qualities that you want to possess. You may already have these qualities but just haven’t freed them from within yourself yet. Selecting someone who you look ...

Some days I feel like a cartoon character and not my beloved Popeye. I am the person you see in the cartoons with the little black cloud over my head every where I go. I’m thankful that I don’t get this way often, and know it will pass, but the feeling is here, right now. I think ...

If you own your own business, you may often put off taking any real time off to just relax and unwind and rejuvenate. You imagine ‘someday’ being able to take a vacation, but the thought of doing it now only creates more stress. How can you go away when there is so much to do? If you take time off, you may lose a great opportunity! It makes no sense, does it: You started your own business for more freedom, yet here you are, feeling like you can’t afford to get away.

You probably know what procrastination is, but have you heard about "structured procrastination"? This definition, from Stanford philosophy professor John Perry, casts structured procrastination as something even "productive" people tend to do: "The list of tasks one has in mind will be ordered ...

For me it started several years ago with a phone call. My childhood best friend was killed in a car accident due to her own alcohol and drugs issues. I had spoken to her several months earlier for the first time in many years and didn’t realize she had such a bad addiction. Her twin boys had just been born and her son [4] was healthy and happy. It seemed her relationship with her husband was strained, however, I didn’t realize just how much.

With the growing awareness of Life Coaching, more and more people are interested in finding out more. They get bits and pieces here and there but are still left wondering exactly what happens, how it works and how much it costs. As these things can vary quite a bit, one thing that is constant is ...

I saw a coaching client recently who wanted to get right down to business and plan out her new, bold life. She wasn’t sure what that life was, but she wanted to map it out, pin it down, and make it happen. She looked at me with exhausted eyes and silently begged me for light. I wanted to tell her, “Put down your organizer and step into chaos.” But she may have smacked me with that eight pound black leather daytimer, so I chose another way to suggest that she let go of t

Why is it that some of the goals you have in life are effortlessly achieved, if almost by "magic," and no matter what you do others never materialize? I believe the answer lies in what I'll call "possibility thinking." For example, very often clients tell me they want "financial independence," but after a little exploratio I find out they don't really believe it's possible.

Let’s start by realizing life is what we make of it. We get to choose what we want as long as we are aware we have that choice. Once we are aware we will always choose what is best for us and never turn back. Most of us however, live in a world of conditions allowing our lives to be dominated by what is happening around us believing that “it’s just the way it is.” Life is out of our control; we’re just a victim of circumstance. Not so… Here’s why… We live in an inside out world. What we believe and feel inside is a direct reflection of how we perceive our outside world.

Have you ever heard hear someone say this statement, “but, I can’t because.” Maybe you’ve even said it a few times yourself. Either way, it is a powerful statement that can change the direction of all the words that follow it. I want you to test this out for yourself the next time you notice someone saying this statement. When you hear it, I think you’ll find that everything that follows it is an explanation or a reason why the person cannot do whatever it may be. The inter

I once had a high-tech angel investor for a client. He often spoke about “one-time learning” for his investments. He wanted the companies he was incubating to learn a lesson the first time, not make the same mistake over again. He would have strong words of feedback for me if he believed that I had repeated a lesson when training one of the leaders in a portfolio company. He wanted every principle to add value, be new, be complete, and for every learner to master it. Done

Attempting to set and achieve goals under stress and worry doesn't work. If the words in your head are saying something like, "I really have to have $5,000 before the end of July or I won't have the tuition to send Mary to College! What on earth is going to happen if I don't get it?

The following is a list of things I'd like to get done, preferably in the next 16 to 22 minutes: * Read the growing pile of extremely interesting-looking books that is currently residing on the floor next to my couch (including The Power of Now, A New Earth, The Conscious Heart, The Lightworker's Way, The Artist's Way, The Vein of Gold, and My Stroke of Insight) * Redesign my website to reflect new testimonials I've received, updated packages I'm offering, and lots of other things I can't think of right now * Come up with a new format for my blog that includes ALL of the thing

At times, even when using the best parenting tactics, teens may need outside help in order to get over their problems. It’s important to know that there are many useful resources in your community that can be called upon when your teen’s depression or anger issues become out of control and more ...

Many women suffer from lack of self confidence and low self esteem and it frustrates them to no end. They want to do more, speak up more often, and feel better about their presence in the world. Basically, they want to audition for, and land, the lead role in their own lives! This article offers some suggestions from a spiritual life coach for women on the process of developing self confidence.

Have you ever had seasons that mirrored symphonies, when everything jelled and every note fell in key without cue? Several of my books have been written on the steps of various buildings in uptow Charlotte beyond the stare of those who consider me homeless, aimless and foolish. ...

Success, the golden ring, is something most people strive for in all areas of their lives, yet, for many people, success remains ete ally elusive. Well, you don’t have to be one of those people. I’ve learned that to be successful, you must have a certain mindset and you must take ...

When it comes to the back yard, your designs should center around maximizing the amount of usable living space you have, rather than focusing totally on the appearance of the space as in the front yard.nn Define your Needs nnThe first thing to consider when designing your back yard is what you want out of the space. Do you want a place for your children to play? Or, would you prefer an entertainment area with a barbecue and eating area, or a quiet space with a small pond, for

In a nutshell, expectations are premeditated resentments and disappointments. They are self-sabotaging beliefs we hold that literally set us up to feel bad and keep us stuck in the pain of our divorce. They are in direct conflict with how the world actually works and are based on the phrase, ‘should be’. In order to let go of the pain of our divorce, we must let go of impossible expectations. What exactly is an impossible expectation? How about: I expect me ex to treat me with respect. I expect that my ex will be totally fair as regards our financial settlement.

In my last article, “Watch who you share your pain with,” I described several kinds of people who only make your pain worse by saying the wrong things. I call them, collectively, Dementors, familiar to Harry Potter fans as creatures who suck all hope out of you. They may magnify your tiny symptom into sure death, or seemingly provide incontrovertible evidence that your dreams can never succeed.

It just feels safe. We just seek protection. Our intention is not to hurt anymore, almost at any cost. The feelings of pain, disappointment, unanswered questions all weigh upon us and we must seek relief. As a defense mechanism or a survival skill we cut ourselves off from the pain's source. We choose to disconnect from the depth of our pain so we can manage ourselves through life. Time passes and wounds heal. The sting fades and ability to function returns. We have seemingly been able to return to the routine of life but something is different.

During the winter, extremes of temperature, as well as excess water or periods of cold drought, can be particularly stressful for trees. Preparing your trees for winter, and taking care of them during the coldest months, will help your trees stay healthy and minimize the damage that colder temperatures can cause.nn Preparing for winter nnOne of the best ways of preparing your trees-and your garden-for winter is to choose species that cope well with the types of weather you ty

How is it that some people can be married forever, yet never lose that bloom so often associated with budding romance? People who have sustained, loving relationships for decades have discovered what everyone else is dying to know. They have found the secrets for keeping the relationship fresh, ...

You are probably questioning-- is it actually necessary to obtain a mentor, or can you gain success even without somebody lifting you up all the time? The reality is, not everyone discovers it simple to obtain the motivation to do the best thing to success. Additionally, some individuals could not even be aware of exactly what they should do to tread the courses to growth and development. So, having a mentor perhaps required in learning the ropes and attaining your most treas

It has been said that 60-80% of New Year’s resolutions will be broken within the first two weeks. Personally, I am not a huge advocate of New Year’s resolutions because I believe in setting and achieving personal goals all year around. However, I do respect the fact that New Year’s resolutions ...

What you think about, you become. This sounds like a simple enough phrase, but it is really profound, and it penetrates every aspect of your life. It is always at work. Your entire being is based on your thinking. Every aspect of you: your mood, your level of happiness, your parenting, your relationship, your finances, your health, your weight, and your career. Everything in your life relates back to this one simple concept.

Happiness… this is what you want, what I want, and what everyone else wants. Interestingly, while we all want to attain happiness in our lives, so many of us are clueless as to how they could be happy in their lives. Perhaps this is because it is too easy to take for granted what we have right now, and we, instead, keep looking for the things we think could give us fulfillment. If being fulfilled for you is a difficult thing to do, consider making some changes in your life. What you will read below are some tips that have helped many people become happier and more likeable.

When I say I'm an Authentic Leadership Coach I'm often asked: What is an Authentic Leader? The answer I feel, is universal - we're all Leaders within. This is the place of Sovereignty for us - where we always have the opportunity to be conscious and aware of who we are, what really matters to us and the life we will create. Authentic Leadership then, is knowing your True Self and having your actions and behaviors follow in line with that unique truth. So, know yourself (very old wisdom, indeed) and act accordingly. While so easy to say, this can be very challenging to live.

If you attract a love right now, they will be just as screwed up as you are right now! People all seem to have a common question about relationships: “I want a love who loves me completely, who supports me in my dreams and goals, who gives me moral support and boosts me up when I'm down. Where is this person? I want him or her in my life now!" With 6.8 billion people on the planet, there is no doubt that person is out there. With all the social networking that exists now I have no doubt that you can also be connected easily

You begin each year with the boldest and sincerest of intentions. You set goals and get excited about the possibilities that lay before you. However, as most of you know, it doesn’t take long for doubt and frustration to seep in. You may be overwhelmed by the ever growing list of things that ...

The idea that societies with more economic inequality -- whether in terms of income, net worth, or something else -- are less moral is nothing new. In the past, people have usually made this argument from a philosophical perspective -- for instance, John Rawls' famous argument that, if you designed a society from scratch, with no idea where you personally would end up on the economic scale, you'd choose a society where inequalities were only allowed if they benefited the worst-off.

I recently read an article online that stated the average person will hold between 7 to 10 jobs in a lifetime. Clearly, most people make many career changes during their working lives. This is pretty significant. Yet my coaching clients will often lament that they feel stuck in careers that no longer satisfy them, believing that they have no choice but to remain in roles that physically and emotionally drain them because they must “lie in their own beds”. After all, they’ve got bills to pay and need a steady paycheck.

When I first started my journey to clean up my life and build and strengthen my relationship with myself, I started by investing in resources that would deepen my learning. I bought lots of books about self-healing and personal growth & development. Some books I read more than once to be sure it all sank in. Once I finished those, I began attending adult education classes, seminars and taking personality tests. Then I hired a coach.

Being able to be in the moment is one of life’s simplest treasures. It can make the craziness of the world stop so you can just sit and take a breather. Take one minute after reading this paragraph to look away from the computer. Close your eyes and just be in the moment. Listen to your surroundings and don’t let anything come into your mind. If something creeps in, don’t cringe or beat yourself up over it, just tell yourself that you will take care of it later and then release it. Do this for as long as you wish and then slowly re-open your eyes. What Happens When the Past Haunts Your

Recently, I made a trip to the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) here in Los Angeles to renew my driver’s license. I made a smart choice by scheduling an appointment for my renewal rather than “winging it” as a “walk in.” As I approached the DMV in my car, I saw scores of people forming a line that wrapped around the outside of the building. As you can imagine, my heart began to race at the prospect of standing in a line that long. I began a mental scan of my “to do” list in my head with a bit of anxiety about how lengthy this process might be.

Do you ever wonder why you achieve some of the goals you set, but not all of them? I did.

When I read a recent article citing single mothers for the recent decline in newspaper sales I was appalled. I couldn't believe Chris Powell, the Managing Editor of the journal Inquirer, actually blamed single moms for his not being able to sell more newspapers. What shocked me even more than his blame is his description of single moms...

The 2009 holiday season has finished and the world is beginning a new year full of amazing possibilities including a list of resolutions millions of people plan on accomplishing during 2010. According to the USA.gov website the following items are the most common resolutions people make year after year: Lose Weight, Manage Debt, Save Money, Get a Better Job, Get Fit, Get a Better Education, Drink Less Alcohol, Quit Smoking Now, Reduce Overall Stress, Reduce Stress at Work, Take a Trip, and Volunteer to Help Others.

Got this great reading today from Hazelden, and boy did it hit home! I only wish that I had “got it” as it relates to my mother by the time I was 35. Man, she, and a few select other very close to me, knew exactly what buttons to push. I’ve learned that it was I who allowed them to be pushed, ...

Am I looking for what’s right? Most of us find it real easy to look for what’s wrong. It’s a way of looking at things that we think is ‘normal’ patterned to us by family, friends, our community and our society. We can find all the wrong there is in our jobs, relationships, our government, our ...

Most of us have been taught from a very young age by parents or grandparents that lived through the depression that the responsible thing to do is to save…. and save a lot! But living in the generation where everything is so readily available… and can be charged or financed… spending seems to ...

Look closely at the title of this article. You’ll notice a question. Before we get into what drives you, let us examine the question. Thoughts…Where do they come from? Think this through and give yourself plenty of time. I firmly believe I have the answer, and that is thoughts come from the ...

A professional course updates your management and communication skills. An online professional course is designed to help a vast multitude of specialists to acquire and upgrade essential skills for the further development of their professional careers. Computer professional courses are now available in diverse fields ranging fromNanotechnology, electronics, bioinformaticsandbiosciences, and environmentalsciencesand online tutoring. The online professional course imparts exten

Just this morning, my five year old came stomping through the kitchen with a big scowl on his face. He was angry. We have recently developed a schedule board to help Ian plan his day. He loves to follow his schedule, and he was planning on getting ready and dressed for his day from 8:00 to ...

The other day, I was at another birthday party for a one-year old. (I didn't realize so many people I know had babies around the time I did.) I start talking with a couple about babies, as the wife is holding my son. I ask if they are ready for one. As the lady says yes, her husband shakes his head no. I ask, "NO?" He replies, "I'm scared."

The top two things that people seem to want more of are money and time. As a matter of fact, more money and more time are the top two issues people come to life coaches for (they also happen to be the top two excuses people use for not hiring a coach). It would be great if we had a money tree ...

A week ago, I was awakened just before midnight by an alarming phone call. The security company was calling to tell me there was an alarm going off at the historic house I manage (on a purely volunteer basis), and asked if they should send a fire engine. “Yes, of course,” I gasped, surprised they would even stop to call me first. “What’s happening?” “I’ll call you back,” the voice said, and hung up. Groggy with sleep, facing a difficult day for which I was trying to be well-rested, I weighed my options.