Monday, March 9, 2009

Precision Coaching Service...

During this recession everyone is tightening their belts and focusing on the essentials. Unfortunately, one of the things deemed “unessential” is self-care. Ironically, this is a time when we really need to be taking care of ourselves. We need to marshal all of our resources to get through this downturn.

With this in mind I am offering 1 hour “Precision Coaching” sessions for a limited time. The purpose is to get “down and dirty” about one topic/issue that is keeping you up at night.

As a Coach I am highly skilled at helping people cope and work with change. Here are a few examples of Precision Coaching topics I have worked on with clients:

• I used to really have fun at my job. But the recession has really brought everyone down. How can I start enjoying my job again?
• I believe there are opportunities in this down turn. What are ways I can get past my fears and see the possibilities?
• The recession has forced my spouse and I to work together with our finances. It was hard, but we did it. What are other ways we can build on this experience?
• I was totally unprepared for the downturn. If I had to do it all over again, I would do things very differently. How can I make these changes stick?
• I want to re-assure my kids about the economy, but at the same time I want them to learn from this experience. What is important for them to know?
• Eventually this recession will end. What can I do to prepare for the upturn?

Here is how it works:
• Fill out a Precision Coaching form prior to the session and return it to me and set up an appointment. The fee is $65.
• We will coach for 1 hour on 1 topic.
• The focus is on clarity, brainstorming, setting goals, action and accountability. You will end the call with a defined course of action to move forward on your topic.
• A fifteen minute accountability follow up session is available, if needed.

The economic changes we are going through have created tremendous fear, both real and imagined. A major side effect of fear is that it robs us of our ability to act. (Here is a link to an interesting article from the NY Times about fear: "In Hard Times, Fear Can Impair Decision-Making")

What we need right now is action, not paralysis. Are you ready to get out of the bunker and into the fresh air?

Feel free to contact me with questions or to schedule your Precision Coaching hour.


Cheers,

Chip


Thursday, February 26, 2009

Economic Lunatic Fringe...

I am going to become a charter member of the lunatic fringe with this entry...

I think a lot of the economic melt down hysteria is hype. I think the media is doing the economic version of "sex sells" only this time anything to do with economic disaster is a hot media topic. The same "experts" that completely missed the impending "train wreck" or arrogantly assured us that gas would never go below $3.00 a gallon are the same ones driving the doom and gloom express. The only economist I have heard making any sense is the one on NPR who said economists have a lousy, almost statistically insignificant record of predicting the economy more than 6 months out. So the reality is...we don't really know what is going to happen! It could get worse or it could get better!

I know things are bad, really bad, for a lot of people. People are losing their homes, jobs, retirement, college funds, self-esteem, confidence and hope. But I think there is a "War of the Worlds" effect going on. People are really scared. Fear is rampant. It is also the enemy. Here is a link to a great article in the NY Times; "In Hard Times, Fear Can Impair Decision-Making" about how fear robs us of our ability to take action and risk and promotes a "bunker mentality". The only way we are going to get out of this mess is for people, banks, businesses, communities to get the hell out of their bunkers and start some forward movement. Movement-any forward movement. Let's all hitch up our courage and do something! Something-anything positive in our lives and communities.

I'd rather enjoy the sunshine and fresh air with my fellow lunatics than stay in the fetid hole of fear with the huddled masses.