How a senior administrator accomplished something in three months that she had not been able to do in five years

N.S. came to coaching feeling dissatisfied with her job as a senior administrator at a high-technology company. Through coaching she came to recognize that the real source of her dissatisfaction was not with her job, but with herself. The creative part of her that wanted to write fiction books had never been able to find full expression. For years N. had started, but never finished, countless books and stories. Within three months of starting coaching, N. had fully connected with her passion for writing, completed a book that had been "in her head" for five years, and started her search for a publisher. She found a balance between her creative endeavors and her corporate job that left her free to fully enjoy both.   

"I came to Jane for coaching after attending a communications class she taught. When we began the sessions, I was adamant about what I wanted - to go up the ladder in the corporate world and be a star. I was positive therein lay my 'true happiness', and nowhere else. Jane asked me a crucial question in our first session, and it's one I had been asked before, but never really given much thought to. She asked me, if I could do anything I wanted, what would it be. That question opened up my spirit. Suddenly, I didn't see myself wearing suits and dealing with 200+ employees in an administrative role.  Suddenly, I saw myself with my pen and paper, furiously scribbling my next novel.
     "That door opening enabled Jane and I to take more steps, more risks, with my personal life. We challenged everything I had previously thought to be a truth. And something magical happened. Behavior patterns, destructive and self-defeating, were identified, and I discovered the tools of change. Suddenly I was not tied to the person I had been, but free to become the person I wanted to be. What freedom in that change! While I am not yet a published author, I have taken steps in the right direction, rather than simply wishing my life away.
     "Simply stated, through life coaching, I learned self-evaluation as a means of moving forward, rather than repeating patterns. I learned communication tools, both about myself and about others. And most importantly, I learned that there is no sacred cow. Jane gave me wings - I recommend the flight to anyone wanting to experience their true potential." - N.S.

How a senior manager turned a potential threat into a great opportunity

R.B. is a district sales manger who came to coaching concerned that the political upheaval in his company might force him to look elsewhere for employment. He wanted help in upgrading his communication skills in order to be ready for a possible job change. Through our coaching, he was able to shift his perspective from viewing the period of transition in his company as a threat that might drive him out, to viewing it as an opportunity to create a more exciting position for himself. He then proceeded to use his coaching sessions to formulate a new vision for his organization, and to develop a strategy and action plan to make it happen. He not only survived the transition, but thrived and created a stronger and more fulfilling role for himself in the company.

N.F. spent her life taking care of the needs of everyone else to the exclusion of her own. She even married her husband because it was what he wanted. She came to coaching feeling unheard and unsupported, and not trusting her own judgment but facing several crucial life transitions - the end of her marriage, her financial debt, and doubts about the direction of her career. As we worked through a series of life challenges and as her personal foundation strengthened during our coaching, she blossomed into someone who took firm control of her career path, handled her own divorce in a loving and compassionate manner, established strong personal boundaries with her family members, took a hard look at her financial situation, and put in place a plan to get out of debt and purchase her own home in the future. 

"These past months that I have had the privilege to spend time each week with my life coach Jane have tremendously helped me to gain clarity in my life. Her gentle, kind, and caring ways of helping me through all of my tough life issues has taught me the importance of setting boundaries and living a life where I am true to myself, and how important I am as an individual. I feel very blessed to have been able to walk my path in life with such a wonderful person who is not only a professional in her career, but a person who truly believes in, and cares for, the people who seek her support. Thank you Jane!" - N.F.

How a business owner got the income she wanted without giving up the business she loved

E.O. was a business owner struggling to decide whether to continue in her business or take a corporate job. She came to coaching having unconsciously accepted the assumption that she had to chose one opportunity to the exclusion of the other. Through coaching she came to see that the opportunity existed to pursue both paths in a way that would simultaneously accomplish her goal of significantly increasing her income while at the same time continuing to evolve her business on a part-time basis, which was where her passion lay. 

"Jane's coaching helped me in important ways when I was faced with a rather unexpected but major career decision. She began by listening carefully to my situation, asking questions when appropriate, then reflecting what she heard me saying - not just the words, but the enthusiasm in my voice when I talked about one option over another. She totally supported the full evolution of my decision-making process. She also gave me some worksheets that really helped me clarify my true motivations and come to terms with them. These exercises gave me the discipline and the framework to be able to put both of my options into perspective.
     "After letting life happen to me career-wise for so many years, it feels wonderful to actually have a clear idea of where I want to go, and a plan for getting there. Thanks Jane, for your role in my amazing journey!" - E.O.

How a newly-promoted manager found her stride

L.G. was promoted directly into a senior management position from a technical background without receiving any management training.  Knowing she needed to lead and inspire her department, but lacking certain core skills and without benefit of the perspective gained by the years of prior management experience that were expected of someone at her level, she felt insecure and at a disadvantage when dealing with her colleagues and supervisor. Here is how she described her coaching experience:

"I am a senior manager in a non-profit museum. Prior to my promotion into management my career had been spent hands-on dealing with art and artifacts. I was given no formal management training at the time of my promotion. Since the majority of the other managers in the museum had also risen through the ranks and did not have backgrounds in management, there were no coaches or mentors available from within my organization. Jane became my Coach and has helped me to understand and apply business management, leadership, and communication skills. Jane is a wonderfully insightful and knowledgeable coach. She is articulate, compassionate, empowering, honest, a great listener and motivator, non-judgmental, professional and straightforward. Through coaching I have had the opportunity to gain new insights and learn new tools precisely when I need them, and in the context of what I am facing at the moment. As a result of my coaching I am more confident in my role as a manager, have a substantially greater knowledge base to draw upon, and am better able to deal with sensitive communication issues." -  L.G.

How an information manager of a software company decided to completely redesign his life at age 48

E.H. had always wanted to be a writer, but when he got married this career idea got shelved. He became an information manager and worked in the same field for 20 years. At age 48 he found himself a single dad with two great kids and a growing passion to set out in a new direction. Here is how he expressed his feelings after working with me through the life design process:

"I am extremely upbeat, am enjoying each minute, and have stopped smoking. I am just beginning a home-based course on becoming a copywriter and am on my way to becoming free to enjoy my career as it will apply to the 'fun factor' in life. I am beginning to feel that I may soon be focusing on my 'place in the universe' with more clarity and much more enthusiasm"  - E.H.