Frank Talk - Be More Childlike with Matt Turner 09/16 by Life CoachRadio Network | Spirituality Podcasts

Here is a recording of my recent radio show appearance on 'Frank Talk', hosted by David Frank Gomes.

'Frank Talk' is part of the Blog Talk Radio Network and covers topics that help us lead a meaningful life.

In this episode, I reflect and dissect my recent publication on the Tiny Buddha website (I wrote an article called 'Be More Childlike; Life Can Be Beautiful If You Let It').

You can hear the show here:

Frank Talk- Be More Childlike with Mat Turner 09/16 by Life Coach Radio Network | Spirituality Podcasts

You can read the original article that inspired the show, here:

Be More Childlike; Life Can Be Beautiful If You Let It

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is life coaching?

Life coaching is one-on-one process where a trained professional helps people achieve their life goals.  This involves the coach skillfully helping people make discoveries around what's holding them back, overcoming fears and making them accountable to action.  A good coach doesn't judge people and creates a space where they feel safe.

Coaching asks powerful and thought provoking questions.  These questions challenge people into finding new perspectives on issues they face.  The awareness a client experiences are trans-formative and allow people to move forward much more quickly in their lives.

Q: How does life coaching work?

Clients usually see a coach in person or speak over the telephone.  This may be for reasons of personal preference or geography.  Either method is equally effective.  The coach will begin with some questions around 'discovery'.  They will try to ascertain who the client is, what type of personality they bring to the coaching, how they prefer to be coached and what the story of their life up to this point is.  Some coaches ask clients to fill out a questionnaire before their first appointment to capture some of this information.  

After discovering what the clients' values, beliefs, fears and issues may be, the coach will work on what the client wants to achieve, what their goals are and what's in the way of these goals happening.  Over time, the coach will work with the client on whatever is happening at that time, continually focusing on the work initially carried out in discovery and tackling new topics and issues that may arise.  The coach aims to dig deep, evoke transformation and hold the client accountable for their actions whilst maintaining trust, safety and encouragement.

Usually the coaching appointments are every week or every two weeks.


Q: Is life coaching like therapy?

Yes and no.  The process of relationship is similar.  Coaches have a confidential, trustworthy and compassionate relationship with their clients, much in the same way therapists do.  Coaching differs in the sense that it assumes the client to be naturally creative, resourceful and whole.  Coaching focuses on the present and future goals and actions, whereas therapy can be more centered around trauma, the past and healing old wounds.


Q: Who can benefit from life coaching?

Anybody who is stuck in an area of their life and feel trapped.  If you need help seeing new perspectives or motivating into new areas of your life, then a coach can help.  Much in the same way a sports coach get's the best from their players, a life coach aims to get their clients performing to the maximum of their abilities and 'trains' them into new, better and more fulfilling habits.


Q: Who do you coach?

Most coaches specialize in working with certain clients, based on their expertise, experience and preference.  I like to work with the following niche of clientele:

• Small Business Coaching for Women 

• Mid-life Career Change Coaching for Professional Women 

• Relationship Coaching for Women in Mid-Life 

• Social Entrepreneur Coaching for Creative Women 

• Life Coaching for Female Artists


Q: How much does it cost?

There isn't a standard cost for life coaching and each coach charges based on their training, area of expertise and needs of their clients   For instance, an executive coach working with corporate teams may charge a lot more than a coach who specializes in working with single parents.

Some coaches have a sliding scale of pricing and most coaches are prepared to be flexible with the right clients when it comes to fees.


Q: How long does life coaching take to be effective?

Sometimes transformation can take place in the first session.  Sometimes it takes days, weeks or months.  It depends on the size and scale of change the client wants and personal obstacles in the way.  Mostly it depends on how committed the client is.  If a coach is committed to the process and relationship, but the client isn't, then progress may be non-existent.

Usually, most coaches recommend a minimum of 3 to 6 months of coaching in order to establish the relationship, get motivated and get momentum.

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!

Join our Facebook page for special offers and great conversation!
Join our Twitter page for insightful tweets to make your day!

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!

Join our Facebook page for special offers and great conversation!
Join our Twitter page for insightful tweets to make your day!

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.