My husband and kids

I am proud of myself… for having the courage
to start my own business and not giving up after
my failures.

Helping people overcome some form of pain by
writing a book that helps others in a similar situation.

My college degrees! I still to this day am shocked I did it!

A website I’m working on right now. Incomplete but
I’m liking my thought process.

Just launched the first tangible product of my business.

My kids and grandkids. I’m also proud of myself…
went back to college while working a 7 day midnight shift.

Proud that I created a business over 40 years ago that
now is the main source of income for me and most of
my son’s and granddaughters. 

 I am proud that I can make wooden doll house furniture
look better then factory quality.

Maybe both.

Reject the programming.

If you hate what you’re doing, do something else.

Or find a way to do it better, or at least differently.

Find some meaning in it. Find the parts where what you do provides value to others, even if you never get to see it.

And if you’re doing something to earn money and take care of your responsibilities, but you’re building something else you’d rather be doing full time…

Be grateful.

Be grateful for the chance to do both. Be grateful for your capacity for hard work.

Be grateful for the fact that you’re learning new stuff.

Be grateful for the contrast between what you want and what you’re doing. Let the contrast inspire and motivate you.

Thank God It’s Friday is fine. Just find a way to make it because you appreciate all the parts of your life, not just the end of the week.

I asked people on Facebook who their favorite teacher was.

It was a fun question, because it brought back great memories for a lot of people. And they weren’t shy about telling everyone.

Take a look at some of the answers I got.

*** ***

My 5th grade teacher Ms. Eckman. She was tough and had high expectations. She had total control of the classroom and even though she wasn’t the nicest teacher when in her class, many of her former students came to appreciate how much she invested in us in our later years and visited her. It was then we realized just how much she loved us and how kind she was.

Mrs. Misehiemer She took time out with me when I didn’t understand and realized that I needed special help.

I loved Mr. Marola. I struggled so much with math and he took the time to help me.

Mrs Venturi, my sixth grade science teacher. She had my back from day one. She was my advocate, biggest supporter and friend. She was even at my wedding. The world lost a beautiful person when she passed away.

So so many, but Mrs. Ozga shaped my future for sure.

Mr. Bund was my favorite teacher. After some rough years in elementary school when I felt like an outcast, he made me feel smart, relevant and welcome. Thank you, sir!

Mrs. Luximon my teacher for Hinduism. She was very kind and I loved her technique of inclusion of each classmate. 20 years later and I still carry wonderful memories of my two years of schooling with her. There was also Mrs. Roy for French Literature. She was the only one who honoured and helped refine my analytical skills thereby developing my passion for languages and at a later stage the career I would embrace in Psychology … In that sense I must also make a special mention of my own father who was a Mathematics teacher that made the subject simply magical under his explanations.

I had a couple that believed in me, I’ve also had my fair share of ones that told me I would never amount to anything. It’s funny, as an adult, how certain things stick in your head, I distinctly remember the ones that meant a lot and those that tried to push me down.

Mrs. Hyde & Mr. Higgins. Both had really high expectations of me. Made me push myself to be a better student and woman!

Mrs. Owens, second grade teacher. She allowed me to take on projects that were appropriate for my level of capability. She was so encouraging and affirming. Would always hug me. I needed that emotional interaction. It meant the world to me. I wasn’t feeling so loved at that time in my life.

Mr Lysek. He was hard on us and wanted us to learn to want more from ourselves.

Mrs Yuhas my English teacher in 8th she told me “Your first thought is always your best” I have found that to be true.

*** ***

So who was your favorite teacher?

Coming soon: how knowing about your favorite teacher can help you get better at whatever is important to you now.

There are a few reasons why people hate coaches.

They charge too much. Or they don’t deliver what they say they will.

I think there is one main reason was why people hate coaches. And that’s too bad, because coaching can really be effective.

I was messaging with a friend who mentioned he had an “online coach” who said a possible reason for his lack of confidence was…

Elevated estrogen levels.

I asked if this coach was a doctor or had seen blood work that might show something that suggested a hormone imbalance. The answer: “No, but he’s really powerful and smart, like you.”

Sigh…

If you’re going to present yourself as a professional, you have to behave like one. It’s one thing to make mistakes as part of your regular practice. Everyone does that. It’s another to talk out of your ass about stuff you aren’t qualified to talk about.

This is why people hate “coaches.”

No standards.
No professionalism.
No accountability.

If you’re a coach, don’t pretend to know what you don’t know.

And don’t say things to people that move them away from trusting their own ability to fix their lives.

Your charge is to empower other people. Not to make people dependent on your help. And not to make yourself feel more important by having a cult following.

And by the way, I completely believe in counseling and coaching as a profession. I’ve been in both for all of the 21st century. When done right, coaching can help someone unravel the tough parts of their life and succeed in ways they never have before.

If you’re looking for a coach, find someone who knows how to listen.

Find someone who asks questions and doesn’t look for a “one size fits all” answer.

Find someone who doesn’t tell you they’ll magically fix all your problems.

Find someone who trusts in your ability to be successful, prosperous and independent.