My first round of training is complete! I can officially take on clients and have the tools to back up what I'm doing!
Alongside learning different coaching methods, and some insight into the approaches that might work best, I learned about myself as well. One of the things students are asked through their training is "What are you good at? What makes you unique?" And they expect answers.
Things that I have been taking for granted about myself, and didn't really put much thought into, leaped before my eyes with a thunderous hello.
Did you know, did I know, that I am good at sales? That my experiences in sales started 13 years ago? I never really thought about it. Through helping my mom at psychic fairs when I was an early teen, through those few years in retail, through the years I've spend fundraising money for charities, all combined works out to something pretty awesome.
So what did I really learn from that?
I learned that I can sell myself in this business. I can sell myself in anything. I have the experience, I have the knowledge....I just have to apply it.
I like what I learned.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Sunday, September 30, 2007
The Learning Curve
I feel enlightened. I feel broadened. My understanding and knowledge power increasing simultaneously week after week.
I have been taking the beginnings of the the Power Coaching program at CLI, and am astounded at the seeming simplicity to it. Yet at the same time, what seems so simple is very complex. Oxymoron...I know. To have it laid out on the table and explained to me, it just makes sense. The principles and reasoning meld into my own lifestyle and belief system like they were meant to be there.
The theory behind it all, as I've found out, is based on years of research and development. A lot of hard work has structured what has made CLI a respected business. As the student however, I only gain from all of their hard work; I learn it and see the common sense behind it, but little do I see the time and energy that was put in to build it.
I find it phenomenal that speaking in a different manner and asking questions in an altered format can elicit an entirely new answer. That solutions to your issues can come tumbling out of your mouth, when yesterday, all those rocks were rolling around in your head with no where to go. Answers clearly come through, and provided you are willing to put action to your plan, you are good to go. While yes, some issues and concerns will take more than a one-time-through, progress is progress.
Last week was my first opportunity to take on the coaches role. I have been in the position of the client on many occasions. Switching seats was eye opening. Keeping focused and on track was not a difficult task, but it certainly took effort to stay at pace with the client, not rush him and make sure that he continually felt the focus on him and the positive aspects of the coaching session. Luckily, my 'client' was my teacher, and he did a great job of steering me where I needed to go, while still being able to find a solution to his issue.
I feel I still have way to come, but that I'm on the right track in getting there. Sitting in the seat as the client, I think this has been a benefit to my learning experience too. I can think back to what little idiosyncrasies my coach had that I really liked, and how I can utilize them myself.
Taking this course from CLI was a really good decision. I'm going to pay a lot of attention to this stepping stone on my path.
I have been taking the beginnings of the the Power Coaching program at CLI, and am astounded at the seeming simplicity to it. Yet at the same time, what seems so simple is very complex. Oxymoron...I know. To have it laid out on the table and explained to me, it just makes sense. The principles and reasoning meld into my own lifestyle and belief system like they were meant to be there.
The theory behind it all, as I've found out, is based on years of research and development. A lot of hard work has structured what has made CLI a respected business. As the student however, I only gain from all of their hard work; I learn it and see the common sense behind it, but little do I see the time and energy that was put in to build it.
I find it phenomenal that speaking in a different manner and asking questions in an altered format can elicit an entirely new answer. That solutions to your issues can come tumbling out of your mouth, when yesterday, all those rocks were rolling around in your head with no where to go. Answers clearly come through, and provided you are willing to put action to your plan, you are good to go. While yes, some issues and concerns will take more than a one-time-through, progress is progress.
Last week was my first opportunity to take on the coaches role. I have been in the position of the client on many occasions. Switching seats was eye opening. Keeping focused and on track was not a difficult task, but it certainly took effort to stay at pace with the client, not rush him and make sure that he continually felt the focus on him and the positive aspects of the coaching session. Luckily, my 'client' was my teacher, and he did a great job of steering me where I needed to go, while still being able to find a solution to his issue.
I feel I still have way to come, but that I'm on the right track in getting there. Sitting in the seat as the client, I think this has been a benefit to my learning experience too. I can think back to what little idiosyncrasies my coach had that I really liked, and how I can utilize them myself.
Taking this course from CLI was a really good decision. I'm going to pay a lot of attention to this stepping stone on my path.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Movin' Up and Movin' On
September found me in a brand new city and a brand new apartment. My move to Toronto went fairly smooth. So far, the only hiccup is that my new telephone service provide of choice is failing to provide me with service.
Last Monday (aka one week ago) a gentleman came to my new apartment to hook everything up. Cable--check. Internet--check. Telephone--no check. While it's ready and rarin' to go, there is a 'connection issue.' While perhaps this might not be a terribly big issue--I mean, it's true that I kind of enjoy the peace of no telephone, and at this particular moment, my client base is quite small and I do have an email address--it's putting a hinder on several things. Such as business cards. Our graphic designer, Gemma, has created these fabulous business cards for us--reversible cards that one side is M&L and the other side is Fastrac. (Very cool!!) However, without my phone functioning, I don't want to give her the number that said telephone service provider told me. Just in case. And at this point, I'm so annoyed that I am actually going to enter the 21st century and just get a cell phone.
(Imagine the sounds of Angels singing here, rays of light to welcome me to technology....haha!)
So...off I go to get a cell phone. Wish me luck.
Last Monday (aka one week ago) a gentleman came to my new apartment to hook everything up. Cable--check. Internet--check. Telephone--no check. While it's ready and rarin' to go, there is a 'connection issue.' While perhaps this might not be a terribly big issue--I mean, it's true that I kind of enjoy the peace of no telephone, and at this particular moment, my client base is quite small and I do have an email address--it's putting a hinder on several things. Such as business cards. Our graphic designer, Gemma, has created these fabulous business cards for us--reversible cards that one side is M&L and the other side is Fastrac. (Very cool!!) However, without my phone functioning, I don't want to give her the number that said telephone service provider told me. Just in case. And at this point, I'm so annoyed that I am actually going to enter the 21st century and just get a cell phone.
(Imagine the sounds of Angels singing here, rays of light to welcome me to technology....haha!)
So...off I go to get a cell phone. Wish me luck.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Change is in the wind
Maybe it's typical of women to change our minds all the time.
Or maybe it's a sign of genius.
I'll pick the middle road, and just say that changing our minds is good common sense and helps us to achieve greater things.
Our website is still under construction right now. Which is just as well, as we have recently made further changes to the services our business provides. This time, it's in stone. It's settled. And our website is going to reflect beautifully what we do.
Hammered out, here is what we do:
Or maybe it's a sign of genius.
I'll pick the middle road, and just say that changing our minds is good common sense and helps us to achieve greater things.
Our website is still under construction right now. Which is just as well, as we have recently made further changes to the services our business provides. This time, it's in stone. It's settled. And our website is going to reflect beautifully what we do.
Hammered out, here is what we do:
- Personal Coaching
- Corporate Coaching
- Resource Consulting
- Goal Setting Sessions
- Workshops and Seminars
- Resume Building and Profiling
- The Brain Walk Experience Parties
I can't wait for it to be up and running! But alas, greatness takes time...you can't rush genius!
September is set for one hectic month. I am moving to Toronto September 1, starting a brand new job (have to do something in the meantime to put food on the table!), and starting to take my course in coaching, so I too can be a Certified Power Coach and work alongside my mom in that area of the business.
When I look back at my life, I see how much I like change, and how much I initiate it myself. I've enjoyed every step of the way. Though sometimes, getting to that change is overwhelming and can take the wind out of my sails. All that has gone on this past year has done just that, but in my heart and in my head, I know it's all for the best, and the result is going to be glorious.
The pressure of change is well worth it, even if you don't know what is exactly at the end of the rainbow.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
That's just grrrrrrrrreat...times two!
1. Marketplace magazine has been printed. Meaning my article is being read at this very moment by strangers. Strangers who will be delighted to know what we do and will call us for business.
2. Our official website has been set up! Well, the temporary page has anyways. But still!! It's there!!!!! www.ml-ideas.com. Check it out! The rest of it is on the way :)
Next step...applying for grants....
2. Our official website has been set up! Well, the temporary page has anyways. But still!! It's there!!!!! www.ml-ideas.com. Check it out! The rest of it is on the way :)
Next step...applying for grants....
Friday, July 27, 2007
Officially speaking, that is
Brainstorming with my mom is like standing in the middle of a thunderstorm. Ideas come crashing down, flickers of light brighten the darkened corners of your mind. Everything happens so fast that you have to find something solid to hold to, something to remember it all with.
Something like a pen and paper.
The downpour has stopped and the sun has peeked out--we can come out from cover and bask in the shine of the final plan of all those hours brainstorming.
We have officially come to our goal; we have a plan in order. We can now progress forward with all business plans and start making it happen.
We essentially have two businesses. M&L Ideas & Co, and Fastrac Coaching & Leadership. We registered as a numbered corporation with the Canadian government, and have placed in it these two businesses. Mom had already been using Fastrac as the name for her coaching business before all of this started. So she transferred it over to be ours. I will be joining my mom as a coach, I am starting courses in September to get my certification as a coach.
Our two businesses will work closely together and provide support for each other, though each one will provide unique services. Combined, our vision of the two is to provide assistance in personal and professional development; from the beginning, all the way to the end. We don't want to leave clients out on a lurch.
Fastrac will provide the Coaching aspect--you come to us with a problem or goal in mind, and we will help you through it and achieve those those goals. We will assist in self-empowerment. Once that goal is realised, and you need help to make those goals happen, M&L Ideas & Co will step in and carry it through. You want to start a new business? We'll help you with that, point you in the right direction, provide you with contacts who can do what needs to be done. Looking for a new job? We will help with resume building, bio scripts, we will help you market yourself. Is it something more personal you want to attain, such as fitness? We can even direct you there.
We still offer the workshops we had initially discussed in the beginnings of our brainstorming. We haven't lost that aspect. In fact, we saw a growth opportunity with and have introduced The Brain Walk Experience--smaller settings where we can comfortably teach people how to self coach using the Brain Walk.
And as time passes, other ideas will evolve, I'm sure. Who knows what else we will add to the plate! But now, officially speaking, we know what we are doing.
Something like a pen and paper.
The downpour has stopped and the sun has peeked out--we can come out from cover and bask in the shine of the final plan of all those hours brainstorming.
We have officially come to our goal; we have a plan in order. We can now progress forward with all business plans and start making it happen.
We essentially have two businesses. M&L Ideas & Co, and Fastrac Coaching & Leadership. We registered as a numbered corporation with the Canadian government, and have placed in it these two businesses. Mom had already been using Fastrac as the name for her coaching business before all of this started. So she transferred it over to be ours. I will be joining my mom as a coach, I am starting courses in September to get my certification as a coach.
Our two businesses will work closely together and provide support for each other, though each one will provide unique services. Combined, our vision of the two is to provide assistance in personal and professional development; from the beginning, all the way to the end. We don't want to leave clients out on a lurch.
Fastrac will provide the Coaching aspect--you come to us with a problem or goal in mind, and we will help you through it and achieve those those goals. We will assist in self-empowerment. Once that goal is realised, and you need help to make those goals happen, M&L Ideas & Co will step in and carry it through. You want to start a new business? We'll help you with that, point you in the right direction, provide you with contacts who can do what needs to be done. Looking for a new job? We will help with resume building, bio scripts, we will help you market yourself. Is it something more personal you want to attain, such as fitness? We can even direct you there.
We still offer the workshops we had initially discussed in the beginnings of our brainstorming. We haven't lost that aspect. In fact, we saw a growth opportunity with and have introduced The Brain Walk Experience--smaller settings where we can comfortably teach people how to self coach using the Brain Walk.
And as time passes, other ideas will evolve, I'm sure. Who knows what else we will add to the plate! But now, officially speaking, we know what we are doing.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
The Power of Positive Thinking
I have to admit, it is hard to rearrange your thinking. To take those negative or nonchalant thoughts and make them positive. There are a lot of thoughts in a day that need to be refocused.
But. (There is always a but.)
In the midst of my trying, I have seen success of my positive thoughts, of my gratitude I am trying to express in the everyday. Some of these things are seemingly silly, but they mean a lot to me. Call them little achievements if you will.
Positive Thought #1:
I play soccer on a ladies rec league. I am an ok player; last year was my first season, and I feel I have come a long way. This year, I have been thinking positively about my skills. I set goals in my head for two things: That I will be able to kick the ball and give it a lot of air and that I will get a goal this year.
So far, I have learned how to kick the ball and get the air I want. I can send it soaring (well, not soaring, but pretty darn high...hehehe). I have not gotten the goal yet, but 2 games ago, I took a shot on the net. Pretty fantastic considering I am not a striker for the team!!!
Positive Thought #2:
(Here's where it gets stretched a bit...) I have run out of my coffee at work and I keep forgetting to grind up more at home to bring in. I detest the coffee that is made at work, so I avoid it at all costs. This morning I was putting the thought out there that it would be nice to have a decent cup of coffee. And lo and behold, Tricia walks over to ask if I want to do a coffee run with her. Mmmmm....Starbucks coffee for me.
Positive Thought #3:
(And now it's just kind of ironic and funny) I bought a lotto ticket the other day for the draw last night. Remembering to think in the present tense, yesterday after dinner I said to my roomie, "I am so happy now that I have won the lottery tonight!!" So this morning, I checked my ticket...and...da da da dahhhh!!!!!!!!!! I WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was not the jackpot (clearly, if I had won the jackpot, this would have been the first point in this list...actually, this list would not be written because I'd be on my way to claim the jackpot...), it was $10. But still! It's ten more dollars than I had yesterday!!
And that is my sharing for the day. I'll remember to keep thinking in positive terms, and it will all come up roses!!
But. (There is always a but.)
In the midst of my trying, I have seen success of my positive thoughts, of my gratitude I am trying to express in the everyday. Some of these things are seemingly silly, but they mean a lot to me. Call them little achievements if you will.
Positive Thought #1:
I play soccer on a ladies rec league. I am an ok player; last year was my first season, and I feel I have come a long way. This year, I have been thinking positively about my skills. I set goals in my head for two things: That I will be able to kick the ball and give it a lot of air and that I will get a goal this year.
So far, I have learned how to kick the ball and get the air I want. I can send it soaring (well, not soaring, but pretty darn high...hehehe). I have not gotten the goal yet, but 2 games ago, I took a shot on the net. Pretty fantastic considering I am not a striker for the team!!!
Positive Thought #2:
(Here's where it gets stretched a bit...) I have run out of my coffee at work and I keep forgetting to grind up more at home to bring in. I detest the coffee that is made at work, so I avoid it at all costs. This morning I was putting the thought out there that it would be nice to have a decent cup of coffee. And lo and behold, Tricia walks over to ask if I want to do a coffee run with her. Mmmmm....Starbucks coffee for me.
Positive Thought #3:
(And now it's just kind of ironic and funny) I bought a lotto ticket the other day for the draw last night. Remembering to think in the present tense, yesterday after dinner I said to my roomie, "I am so happy now that I have won the lottery tonight!!" So this morning, I checked my ticket...and...da da da dahhhh!!!!!!!!!! I WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was not the jackpot (clearly, if I had won the jackpot, this would have been the first point in this list...actually, this list would not be written because I'd be on my way to claim the jackpot...), it was $10. But still! It's ten more dollars than I had yesterday!!
And that is my sharing for the day. I'll remember to keep thinking in positive terms, and it will all come up roses!!
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