My Coaching Manifesto 2.0

The seasons have changed since I last wrote. Summer feels like a blur to me. I've been doing lots of personal development work through my holistic coaching group, as it has been a period of transitions ... a series of new moons and full moons through which I've been reviewing what is important to me in my business, and in my life.

The good news is that I had the opportunity to revisit my Coaching / Business Manifesto that I shared earlier in the year. This 2.0 version comes via a second exercise led by my coach, Dawn Copeland, to tease out those factors that excite me and propel me to thrive in my business.

Once again, I'm excited to share this 2.0 version of my Manifesto with you. I'd love to hear your thoughts and reactions. Also, feel free to post a link to your Manifesto if you have one!

Coach Colette - Manifesto 2.0

I am a transformational coach and speaker.

I believe in possibility.

What I know for sure is we can change the world ... together.

I love working with passionate leaders who are doing good in the world.

I dream of the day when the world and our planet is healed.

I was born to speak, heal, and help that to happen.

I've never been happier than when I witness the A-HA moments and see the sparks of light in my clients' eyes.

I feel most alive when I'm speaking and sharing my message of possibility.

I shine when I am serving my tribe within a community of support.

If I had a super power it would be seeing into people's hearts and cutting through the B-S to get to the core issues at hand.

I work best when I have a supportive team and community.

What I want most in the world is to leave a legacy of healing and sustainability.

I can help you go within to reconnect to your purpose and lead your team with compassion and confidence.

My Coaching Manifesto -- Working Draft

Over the years of writing this blog, I've often shared what inspires and motivates me to do what I do: why your health and wellness matters to me; why I personalize my coaching as much as I can; and why my own eco-transformation journey matters.

I recently joined a year-long coaching program for holistic entrepreneurs. Through this program, I've begun working on my Manifesto to capture my business intentions on a broader scale. This is a first draft that I suspect I will edit over time. And, that I'll find a way to make it more visual.

Ready? Here goes!

Coach Colette -- My Manifesto

What I know for sure is I am passionate about people.

I am a dynamic, helpful, relevant, and gifted coach / speaker.

I've never been happier than when I see the smiles on my clients' faces and the light bulbs go on in their A-HA moments.

I dream of traveling the world helping people to thrive.

I was born to succeed, speak and train; and to help others grow.

I shine when I have a team of people who support and believe in me.

I feel most alive when I'm on stage speaking.

If I had a super power, it would be reading minds and seeing into people's hearts.

I work best when I have a team working with me and I have time to think and reflect.

I love traveling, speaking, and training.

I believe in possibility.

I can help you get clear on your goals and big dreams and de-stress about sharing them with others.

What I want most in the world is to leave a legacy of healing and sustainability.

How to Uncover Your Blind Spots: eBook Excerpt

I can't believe it's already late-September -- either back-to-school time or end of the 3rd quarter, depending on your perspective. And, even with the best intentions back in January, are there some things that haven't gone exactly as you had planned?

We all know, life happens! Yet, have you ever considered whether there was something you did (or didn't do) to get in your own way during the year? Perhaps not making a decision, or waiting too long to take an action, or even a miscommunication with someone? I know I've had a couple of conversations even I wish I could do over ... yes, remember, the coach is human too!

Sometimes, we're not even aware of our action (or inaction) until after the fact. If you begin to notice a pattern of these occurrences in your life, you may be beginning to uncover one of your blind spots -- these are behaviors, beliefs, and/or communication styles of which you're not consciously aware, usually until someone gives you feedback about them.

Last week, I explored how to uncover your blind spots in an article on HowToLearn.com. The article actually includes an excerpt from my Focus on Your Vision eBook and is called: Watch Out For That Blind Spot: What You See Isn't Always What You Get.

HowToLearn.com is the largest learning site online catering specifically to parents, teachers, homeschoolers and their students -- with over 1 million visitors each year. 

You can read my Focus on Your Vision excerpt about how to uncover your blind spots on HowToLearn.com, and then get a copy of the full eBook (so you can do the activities on your Kindle or iPad) on Amazon.com -- it's just a $2.99 download! Let me know:

• What blind spots have you begun to uncover? 
• How has this discovery changed your life and/or your relationships?
• What will you begin to do differently from now through the end of the year?

Share your comments here on the blog or feel free to tweet me on Twitter!

Coach Colette is Finalist in '50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading' Contest

It was exciting to learn that I've been selected as a finalist in The Authors Show 2011 contest to select the 50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading.

More than 110 authors were chosen from an array of featured guest experts who were interviewed on one of their radio or TV shows this year -- including business, children's and wellness authors. From October 1 through October 8, YOU will have the chance to VOTE for your FAVORITE Writer from among the finalists (stay tuned for more details!).

The winning writers will have their stories published in the 2nd edition of 50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading.

My essay entry will feature my story of how I began writing. For me, my personal writing journey actually began in high school (winner of a National Council of Teachers of English award). My professional journey continued with beginning to write this blog back in 2005. In my essay, I share what I enjoy most about writing and what are my biggest writing challenges ... and how my "Muse" often saves me! I also discuss my motivation for writing my Focus on Your Vision eBook as a straightforward tool to help women reevaluate their priorities and give vision to their own greatness.

I also share 5 tips of advice for aspiring authors, two of which I can share here:

1. Listen to your "self-talk" about your writing, your abilities and your chances of achieving your goals. How many of the messages are positive vs. negative?
2. Coach yourself to "flip the script" and replace negative thoughts or messages with positive affirmations. Write down 1-3 positive strengths/skills that make you stand out from other authors in your genre.

If you want to read the rest of my tips for authors, you'll have to check out the contest site to Vote for Your Favorite Writer starting on October 1st!

I'm Back ... Mea Culpa & Update

I've been remiss in writing, and I apologize. I hope you'll indulge me and let me share an update of what I've been working on -- in the hopes that you'll forgive my absence! :)

May was a whirlwind full of exciting consulting projects (Public Speaking Course for at-risk youth & Business Writing Course for rating analysts) and two speaking engagements.

Flowing out of the Create a Buzz! component of Competent Advantage TM, I delivered two presentations on the Art of Self Promotion. The first was for the Manhattan Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women as part of their annual Re-Tooling spring seminar. And, I've just returned from Richmond, VA after speaking at the 33rd Annual National Conference sponsored by the Urban Financial Services Coalition.

The great part about being offline for a bit was the opportunity to meet some of you and hear first-hand some of the challenges you're facing related to self-marketing and creating a buzz. I'd like to bring a few of them back online to this community and invite your thoughts and comments, particularly in response to the following:

When we market ourselves and our ideas is their a difference in perception (especially along the Passive --> Aggressive continuum) depending on our:

• Gender
• Ethnicity/Culture
• Geography

These items may seem obvious; however, I'm interested in your opinions and experiences. I was reminded of the last issue (geography) near the beginning of my presentation in Richmond, as participants shared experiences of how not "standing out" can be an asset in a more southern environment. As a New Yorker, I wasn't expecting that response; but the discussion was interesting and informative.

So, what do you think? What challenges have you had with promoting your ideas in the workplace? Any successes to report?