Why do I need a life coach?

There are two questions I am often asked.  The first is; what made you become a life coach?  The second is: what does a life coach do?

In truth, I'd never considered becoming a life coach.  I didn't know what one is, or does.  If I'm being brutally honest, I'd scoffed at the idea when it was first suggested as possible career by my partner (who's a psychotherapist).   I, like many people, saw life coaching as 'faddish' or 'flaky'.  It was something that I viewed with skepticism, and, dare I say it, some disdain.

So what changed for me?  Well, the encouragement of my partner for a start.  She kept telling me life coaching was something she felt I would excel at.  Its funny, but when we receive praise or recognition, we go to a place of disbelief and try to find reasons to disagree!  I did just that.  I told myself that she was crazy,  that there is no way I could do this job I had no regard for.  Little did I know, but I'd been a coach all my life.  I just needed to see it and appreciate it.

Embarking on intensive coach training was a really scary thing for me.  It involved opening myself up, talking about things I'd hidden for years.  It involved sharing and caring, things I enjoyed doing, but not making a song and dance about.  The thing is, coaching makes you appreciate who you are and what you are capable of.  It makes you sing from the rooftops about the good things in life, and be comfortable with things that cause us pain.  My training took me on a journey that was nothing short of incredible!

So, what does a life coach do? Now I have seen many clients and experienced the process over and over, I can safely say that a life coach is many wonderful things.  First and foremost, they are an advocate for everything you do.  They support every decision you make and never judge you.  They create a private and confidential space where you feel comfortable talking about ANYTHING.  They champion your achievements, celebrate your success and comfort you when things are hard.  They challenge you to think a different way.  They ask you questions you'd never heard before, and certainly never considered!  They make you accountable for your life in a way nobody else could. That's because they are your coach, not a friend.  The relationship is a professional one steeped in personal connection. That's what makes life coaching special!

Today I am a huge advocate of life coaching and the trans-formative benefits it brings to peoples lives. Everybody can benefit from having a life coach at some point in their lives.  I've seen it with my own eyes in the clients I coach every week.

I suppose the best judge of the power a life coach can bring into our lives are the clients themselves.  Below is a recent letter I received from a client.  Reproduced here with their permission, it sums up what I am in this profession for, namely fulfillment, deep meaning, rich satisfaction, empowerment and human connection.  It also answers the question; why do I need a life coach?

"How do you describe appreciation?  How do you genuinely praise interpersonal gratitude. Thank You! When it comes to someones kind words, a hug, actually listening, mindful presence and understanding; there are no words to describe the feeling of receiving that from another person.  

 I'm still working on giving and receiving positive affirmations for myself and others, but I wouldn't even be close to that if it weren't for Matt Turner. I have been sharing my story with him for about the same amount of time it takes to have a baby. A bit of a cliche perhaps but the process Matt has helped me through is similar to recreating myself from my childhood to the present. 

 It had been a challenging and yes at times difficult journey.  I honestly believe I wouldn't be more than"functioning" if it weren't for Matt and his coaching abilities.  Matt is knowledgeable and passionate about his craft. He has insight, talent and skill into how to tap into your innermost  thoughts, feelings and "triggers" by actively listening and responding in a manner that evokes trust, compassion and understanding.
    
Matt has a great sense of humor with his British accent and slang. He is such a personable individual you feel like you could tell him your life story and trust him with it. Oh yes, I guess I already have. No regrets. He's amazing! Just the fact that he is willing to be a supportive guide to help me navigate through all my built up "crap" he deserves a medal.  Yet, he can be brutally honest when I am being stubborn or resistant to change in an effort to kick-start some progress. Somehow, through it all, that still feels OK, because he does it in such a unique manner that you know he means well and has your best interest at heart, he genuinely cares and it shows; actually it oozes out of him. 

I was wary about getting into any type of counselling which is why it took me so many years. That fear subsided the day I met Matt and even though some sessions are intensely emotional, Matt effectively meets the challenge, providing a safe environment for enabling that release and sharing.  

If I had known someone like Matt back in my teen years I would have been so much different in the self confidence department.  But Hey, then I wouldn't be who I am today.  No regrets, just a renewed sense of self and a new lease on life and that is primarily due to my work with Matt Turner.  He is authentic, genuine, "the real deal" and I just want to rub his shiny bald head like a good luck charm; cause hes good at what he does, he's charming and I feel so lucky to have met him. 

Thanks for being you, Matt."

Matt Turner is a life coach specializing in helping women in mid-life with careers and relationships   He is based in Vancouver, BC and coaches clients all around the world.  Visit Seeds Coaching for details.

Book a complimentary life coaching session, either in person or over the phone.  Contact Seeds Coaching today!

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What to do when you are stuck? 5 quick fire strategies to get you unstuck!

One of the most common struggles my clients often face is the feeling of being 'stuck'.  What is like to be stuck and what does being stuck actually mean?

Often, the feeling of being stuck can be traced back to a number of things.  First, people tend to repeat the same patterns when trying to solve the same problems.  If you've always done the the same thing, you'll generally get the same result.  It's this revolving door of frustration and despair that can spiral somebody downward and leave them needing help.

Second, people lose confidence in themselves and their abilities.  Confidence really is everything.  As human beings, every single one of us has the capacity to choose how we feel and act.  The confident ones among us choose positive action consistently, despite any setbacks.  The less confident we are, the more prone we are to fear and avoiding any decision at all.  Does the saying 'putting in your head in the sand' sound familiar?  We all have a choice, and not making one is still a choice.

So how do we break the cycle and get unstuck?  On a longer term basis, a great idea is to hire a life coach.  At Seeds Coaching, I work with people who face this problem regularly.  Its a human condition we should be aware of, and actively embrace.

In the short term, you can follow these five simple steps:

1. Ask yourself "Is what I am experiencing reality?"  

Often we separate truth from reality and believe our own thoughts.  After all, a thought is simply that - a thought.  Its our perception and sometimes not real.  So the next time you have a thought about
something, ask yourself if that thought is really true or is it simply perceived?  Awareness is the first step to change.

2. What's a new perspective and how many can  I think of?

Stepping back from an issue and trying to see it through a different lens can sometimes make all the difference.  For instance, when somebody doesn't return an email you send out, what's your perspective?  Naturally we think that person may be ignoring us.  However, other perspectives might be that they are away on holiday, they no longer read that email account, they really want to reply and life has gotten in the way or they simply never received it in the first place!  The list of perspectives for any given issue is endless!  Which one is true?

3. Challenge all your assumptions!  

When you make an assumption about something, question it.  An assumption is simply that.  Ask yourself, "what am I assuming?" and "why did I assume that?".  By challenging our thoughts we begin to get clarity.

4. Be candid with people

Being candid doesn't mean you have to be rude!  People are naturally afraid to speak the truth because of the consequences it can bear.  However, by asking people outright what they really think of something you've been struggling with, you might just hear something that surprises you!  So next time we feel somebody is acting out of whack, get curious about what the reasons could be, and just ask them!

5. Appreciate yourself

We rarely look for the goods things we do and achieve, however small.  Just stopping and looking around your garden and appreciating where you live and what it took to get there can help.  The daily grind of life encourages to do, and not be.  By being more and doing less you'll begin to find happiness in the simple things right on your doorstep!


Matt Turner is a life coach, former school teacher, corporate trainer, school counsellor and stand up comedian.  He specializes in career coaching and relationship coaching.  Get in touch today for a free sample session and see how your life can change for the better!

Book a complimentary life coaching session, either in person or over the phone.  Contact Seeds Coaching today!

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4 simple 5 minute meditations to help you feel better this Christmas!

Season’s greetings!

As we approach the Christmas holidays and the New Year in 2013, it can be common for our stress levels to mount. Some of us may have been through a year of life changing circumstances. Conversely, others may have been through a period of getting stuck and desire life change to get unstuck.

Whatever that change may be, a change of career, change of relationship, or even a change of heart (in the metaphorical sense of course!) Christmas should be a time to appreciate our successes (and even our failures!). None of us are perfect and we all require love. This festive season, why not take the opportunity to love yourself? When we love ourselves, we can then love others. What better time of year to give love to those less fortunate?

Did you know that one of the best ways to combat stress and love ourselves is meditation? Meditation teaches us how to be in the present moment. When we are dancing in the now, it is easier to deal with our life circumstances. The mind consistently wants to go to the past and the future, increasing the possibility of stress, depression and anxiety.

Here are some quick, 5 minute meditations from Vancouver MD, Dr. Divi Chandna to keep you in the now. The more that you dance in the now, your mind will be happier and you will feel better!

If you wish to kick start your New Year and receive some FREE life coaching, then contact Seeds Coaching and book a complimentary life coaching session.

Do you like what you've read today? Then sign up for our Seeds Life Coaching Newsletter to receive more useful life tips and tricks on a regular basis.

Life is a journey and we are here to help you make the best of it.

Visit our website for lots more information, useful links and one-on-one personal life coaching to help kick start your 2013!

We are also opening up the floor on all things meaningful to you this festive season. Visit our Twitter and Facebook feeds for daily questions and discussions you can engage with.

Warmly,

Matt Turner
Owner and CEO of Seeds Coaching
Life Coaching, Career Coaching and Relationship Coaching in Vancouver, BC and Worldwide!

5 things to be when changing career

1. Be true to yourself.
Asking yourself why you want to leave your current career may be straightforward. Discovering why you feel that way is a little harder. Often it means going back to basics, looking honestly at what values you are compromising and what truly satisfies you. Whats it going to take to love your job? What leaves you feeling stuck? Facing your fears and feeling uncomfortable is going to happen, it's part of the process. Be brave and tackle them head on - the rewards far outweigh any short term anxiety. Remember, this voyage of discovery is not just about changing your career, it's about changing your life!

2. Be tenacious.
Changing your career can take time, money and sacrifice. Are you ready for the long haul? Again, being anxious is normal. You're only human after all! A good question to ask yourself at this stage is "What's the long-term cost of not sticking with it?". It's always good to remember why you started this change and appreciate the opportunities you have ahead of you. Getting unstuck from anything - from treacle to life - requires some level of tenacity.

3. Be frank with others.
People will try to hold you back that's for sure. We've all been told things like "Why are you doing that?" or "I could never do that, it's too scary!". All this does is sow seeds of doubt in your mind. Remember, it's not their life, it's yours and you are the one living it. It's good to have a mentor (real or imaginary) at this stage to keep you grounded. Someone who'll be on your side and reserve judgement. A career change coach, for instance.

4. Be kind to yourself
What you are doing takes guts and gumption. Make sure it doesn't become an obsession and take time to relax, reward and revitalize. Appreciating yourself and what you achieve along the way is important. Celebrate every single obstacle you overcome and this consistent level of positivity will soon become a habit!

5. Be bombastic!
Shout from the rooftops how great you are! It's sometimes not easy to be proud of who we are, but do it! Showing confidence in your abilities is half the battle. A great exercise is to look at what your life looked like 10 years ago and see where you are now. You might be surprised, when you break it down, what you've achieved to date.


Matt Turner
Vancouver Life Coach and Owner of Seeds Coaching

Seeds Coaching is based in Vancouver BC but services clients worldwide. Find out how at www.seedslifecoaching.com

We offer a free life coaching session and introductory coaching consultation.

The all new Seeds Coaching Website!

Seeds Coaching in Vancouver BC is pleased to announce the re-launch of our brand new website! Our new website has a cleaner, fresher look and and feel with more concise content and a more appealing presentation.

The website is focused on our specialist areas; Career Change Coaching, Business Coaching, Relationship Coaching and Entrepreneur Coaching. At Seeds Coaching, we'd love to hear from you if you are thinking of changing careers, changing jobs and changing your life!

We work with professional people on all sorts of life challenges. Our mission is to help you achieve a new way of living your life purpose that improves relationships, combats limited thinking and challenge long held beliefs.

The great news is you don't have to be in Vancouver BC to benefit from our services. Coaching works just as effectively over the phone or Skype as it does in person. No matter where you are in the world, we'd love to connect with you! So, if you are approaching a mid-life career change, want to love your job again or simply wish for better skills - Seeds Coaching can help!

We work collaboratively, with honesty, integrity and passion for all our clients. Our goals are your goals and we'll help you plant your seeds and watch them grow with you.

Visit Seeds Coaching today at our website www.seedslifecoaching.com and take advantage of a free life coaching session to kick start your new ambitions! We can also be found on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

We look forward to meeting you and talking to you. Remember, we offer a complimentary life coaching appointment to help you on your journey.

Warmly,

Matt Turner
Vancouver Life Coach and Owner of Seeds Coaching