Hello Goodbye

"Hello, hello...I don't know why you say goodbye I say hello..." - Lennon/McCartney

It was a week of goodbyes with the hellos trying to burst through. Yesterday morning I saw a Facebook post about someone passing at Paisley Park. First, I messaged my friend, who is also a major Prince fan, to ask her if she heard. Then, I began alerting my co-workers like a crazy person. This COULD NOT BE Prince! No no no no no! Well, you know how that all unravels. I followed the news the rest of the day, then came home and immediately started the vinyl. There was no other solace.

 

 

Even though the biggest street party in Minneapolis history was just a short walk away from my apartment, I didn't go. I followed with everyone online instead while listening to Prince tunes and the helicopters buzzing above my apartment building all night.

 

On my walk to work this morning, I took in the aftermath. Quiet and cloudy:

 



 

From my favorite Prince song: "I am yours now and you are mine. Together we'll love through all space and time, so don't cry..."

Moving on...

Since I decided to quit my job and move across the country, I've been trying to find a new job! I've been working at the same company for nearly 20 years. It's been good from a security standpoint, but it hasn't been good for my soul aside from the few great friends I've made along the way. But, day-to-day, it's stressful and not something that makes me feel fulfilled at the end of the day. I'm ready to say goodbye #corporatelife

While having a paycheck and benefits is an obvious concern, I'm doing my best to really try to do something different. Something more creative, enjoyable and rewarding. I have a lot of ideas about what that could be. But, in the midst of trying to move, keep up with the job I still have for a few weeks and stay on track with life, it's been tough to have a good stretch of quiet time to meditate on the ultimate questions like, what am I here for? How can I make an impact and do some good? What are my talents? How can they be used?

I spent the week interviewing for a new job, which went well. I went to a LinkedIn training class. I took knowledge from that to do some successful networking. While my immediate actions and new connections might not bring anything now, you never know what will pop up for the future. Live in the moment. Listen to others. Help people. It will come back to you.

However, for now I'm just trying to say hello to my new life. Current stop is Limbo Land. But, more is on the horizon...

Wellness Coaching Session #12

If you follow me on YouTube, you can see my new video! I'm offering a series of Wellness Coaching sessions to help you reach your goals. Now, you can see how Wellness Coaching might be able to help you - for free!

You made it! This is our last mini-coaching session! If you completed the sessions and the exercises provided, I hope you are feeling better about the goals you want to achieve. You can check your progress with the Wellness Wheel.

Your coaching experience doesn't have to end here! Use this 5-question document to learn if Wellness Coaching is right for you.

Have a great week!

I did it! I'm a Certified Wellness Coach!

I really had no idea what to expect when I applied to the Mayo Clinic graduate school for their Wellness Coaching certification course. It was late in 2012 and I had just completed my Personal Trainer certification. I knew I wanted something more - skills that would help me motivate people instead of just handing them a plan. When I read about the extensive curriculum the Mayo offered for certification, I was convinced it was right for me. I applied immediately - and three months later I was accepted into their July 2014 course. WHAT?! I learned that they only accept 120 students per year. Hence, the lengthy waiting list. 

Perseverance and pestering will get you everywhere. I begged Mayo to give me a spot earlier if it became available and I stayed on them about it. (Tammy in Admissions - you are wonderful!!) I was offered a spot for the second quarter course beginning in April 2014 and I snapped it up!

I anticipated what the class would be like since most of it would be conducted online. I went to college in the mid-90s, so this way of teaching was completely foreign to me. My first assignment was a simple introduction post in Blackboard about my background and why I wanted to take this course. One of the things I wrote was, " I want to get to the core of why people behave they way they do and teach them how they truly can change to be well." 

But, I had it all wrong. I wrote the word "teach". The most valuable thing I learned from this course is that I'm not going to teach anybody anything. Coaching isn't teaching. Coaching is listening. Coaching is support. Coaching is empathy. Coaching is encouragement. 

Coaching isn't therapy, coaching isn't imposing judgment and coaching isn't teaching. Teaching is providing answers. But, you already have the answers. You are the expert on you. I can't teach you about you. But, I've spent hours upon hours to get here. To the place where I can work with you to become the "you" you want to be. The best you.

I can't even begin to say enough good things about my experience at Mayo Clinic. My third week of class took place on-site at Mayo Clinic. They are days I will never forget! I was in a room of 14 like-minded people with fascinating experiences and stories to share. I was exhilarated, yet exhausted, from the precious time I spent learning from Mayo Clinic doctors and Wellness Coaches who had been practicing and improving coaching methods for years. I was able to participate in a peer coaching group with classmates for several weeks, so I could gain as much knowledge and practice as possible. This was when I realized I could be really good at coaching. This is for me!

People ask me:

• What does Wellness Coaching mean?
• Are you going to provide me with weight loss and dieting advice like recipes and meal plans?
• Am I going to have to get on a scale in front of you?
• Are you going to set strict goals for me?
• Are you going to be upset or make me feel guilty when I don't do what you say?

Now, it's my goal to change the perception of coaching and help others understand what I can do to help. And, why the course content I learned at the Mayo Clinic is so incredibly valuable. I've been practicing with class peers and volunteer clients and I'm so excited about the results people are experiencing. 

I won't make you get on a scale in front of me, or set your goals for you or give you unsolicited advice and pamphlets. I definitely won't judge you for your actions or make you feel guilty.  

In fact, I decided to see a Wellness Coach myself during my learning process - one that was not affiliated with the Mayo Clinic. I wanted to see how she practiced compared to what I was learning. This is when I realized how right the Mayo got this curriculum. I saw my "coach" (incognito, of course) about four or five times. She usually did most of the talking instead of listening. I always left with a stack of pamphlets - some of which I told her were on subjects that weren't a concern of mine. She didn't hear me at all. She didn't dig deep or spend the time to find what motivated me. She didn't personalize our appointments. She just gave me blanket advice - pretty much information I could Google.

So, that's how I knew I could make a difference. It's my mission to help people become their best selves and maintain lasting change over time. I partner with people on what their goals are - not mine. It can be anything you want to change - eating habits, physical fitness, stress management. With what I’ve learned and practiced over the last several months:

• I’m able to help people see themselves more clearly.
• I can identify gaps between where someone is and where they want to be.
• I’ve built a structure, I have useful tools and I can provide support in a safe environment necessary to help people sustain their commitment over time.
• I will ask for more change, more intentional thought and more action than you will ask of yourself. But, this is done according to the client’s agenda.

Thank you for following along with me in 2014 and have a fabulous holiday season! I'm looking forward to sharing a broader scope of Mind Over Mayo in 2015!