BEST birthday gift to myself! Maybe you need it, too?!

Around my birthday in June, I had some extra money – and some extra baggage, if you know what I mean.

I don’t want to go into the boring details, but suffice to say, the move here from our perfectly tricked-out horse property in Grass Valley, my career adjustments and this spat of poor health – had been playing havoc on my daily joy.

I’ve given myself all the pep talks imaginable. I’ve cleansed and meditated, I’ve re-read all of my self-help books and tapes, I told myself that every day was a do-over, I ate right, spent time with my horses… but no matter what I did, I was stuck. I knew I was stuck. My usual arsenal, my bag of tricks, was failing me.

In short, I felt a heaviness. It wasn’t that I was unhappy, it was more that I felt the weight of my life.

How was I going to ‘fix’ it all? How would I move into the incredible lightness of true ‘being’?

WHAT PRESENTED ITSELF…

Let’s rewind for a second… Have you heard the new term, “Life Coach”? I had – and I always kinda shirked it off… What the heck is Life Coaching? To me, it sounded like someone who simply cheers you on – like a paid YesMan. Sure, I can get anyone to say anything if I pay them…

That’s what I thought. Clearly, I didn’t pay it much respect when I heard the term.

Fast forward to my birthday… We are at the Ranch, and I heard someone say that someone there was doing Life Coaching.

Hmmmm. I really liked this person. I didn’t know him well, but well enough to know that I really liked him. “He’s doing Life Coaching?!” It made me take note… if he is doing it, maybe I got this wrong…

Then, something inside me blurted aloud, “I need Life Coaching!” And in that moment, I actually pushed back my chair, got up and sought out this Life Coach person.

Me: (tapping Will on his shoulder) Um, I hear you do Life Coaching…

Will: Yes!

Me: (blurting again) I need help, big time! I’m stuck. Can you help me with that?

Will: If you are ready, I’m ready.

Me: I’m more than ready, believe me. I’m sick of carrying around this baggage. Here’s my contact info. Let’s chat when this week is over. (This is key… as with anything, I think you have to be ripe and ready.)

And so we did.

SO MUCH REWARD.

OK, so I did it for only 4 phone sessions – and I will tell you that it was incredible money spent.

Here’s the deal… he isn’t just a yesman paid to be in your corner, cheering you on. Instead, he’s a trained LISTENER. I mean, how many people in your life actually LISTEN and take notes on what you have said… so that they can then pinpoint your stuck areas and help you find your new direction?! He is trained to hear when you do that thing that you do to yourself. Trained to hear when you fall into your patterns. Trained to hear when you are not acting/speaking for your better good.

But so much better than a therapist who just says, “And how did that make you feel?” baloney…

This person, Will, turns right around and helps figure out a way to move past the awkward weirdnesses we all give ourselves and move on. And what is really interesting, is that I didn’t feel vulnerable at all. I felt cared for and protected, but also mirrored and pulled forward.

He works through it with you, all the while encouraging you and finding solutions (not like vague therapists where you spend an hour and walk out crying or confused or pissed). I didn’t feel embarrassed when my issues were revealed. Instead, it felt like I was doing a great Spring Cleaning. ‘Well, I don’t need THAT anymore. Best to toss it. Next…’

And, I WAS TOTALLY WRONG about the paid cheerleader idea. YES, he is paid to coach you, but like any good coach, sometimes training is tough. A great coach always holds the trainee’s heart softly in his hand. It is like being motivated by someone who won’t let you ‘do it to yourself’ or ‘not be your best’ – but still keeps you totally revved up and in the game. A good coach feels like he is always in your corner, but he sees where you could improve and motivates you to get it done – To reach that goal, whatever it may be.

I’m in shock and awe at how much we achieved in 4 hours (plus some observation homework). I think Will is a natural coach. Like maybe he’s being coached while he’s coaching you, if you know what I mean…

YOU SHOULD DO THIS. If it feels right, please go for it!

You should do this. If it at all resonates with you – DO IT.

I am feeling so much better, so much more alive, so much more in awareness of my stuff… I feel really strong in where I’m headed… and I’m very grateful that I blurted out those words back at the ranch.

Do this. If you need it, go for it. I’m so glad I did.

And, he is very affordable – shocker of shocks! I could actually afford this. I think he is a screaming deal. The real thing. What a gift.

One of the best things I have ever done for myself.