Have you ever headed out on vacation thinking you’ll catch up on all of your reading, lounge in the sun all day, and have fun and loving conversations with your partner? To your dismay it rains on your lounge time, you haven’t finished a single book, and you and your partner find yourselves doing more bickering than laughing. 

Bummer, right? What happened? 

Without a lens into your specific circumstances, a bit part of what this comes down to is expectations. 

Quite simply, a Certified Coach helps you evoke awareness which directs your healthy action. Throughout sessions, Coaching guides clients to look at their situation with curiosity, compassion, and courage. Again and again, clients are empowered to take healthy next steps. This often leads to not only more clear decisions and momentum, but that the momentum and actions take shape more quickly. This means you’re enjoying your healthiest self faster and more frequently.

When we’re approaching a big change in life, a lot of us have big hopes for how it will go. The hard part is putting the details in place to set those dreams in motion.

When crossing the bridge to retirement there are numerous aspects of life that will dramatically change. Many people look forward to no more commute, or emails, or stressful deadlines. Some employees may recognize that they’ll likely miss their benefits or sense of identity within their workplace.

In the May 2023 Retirement Perspectives and Attitudes Survey conducted by (Gilbert and Weigel) a startling insight was found on the main thing retirees miss about working.

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and reigniting my passion.

The TransAmerica Center for Retirement Studies conducts annual research about the topic of retirement. Interestingly, they don't just poll those nearing or at retirement age. They span across Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers.

Today’s topic is from their 22nd Annual Retirement Survey of Workers. There are many intriguing components of their research (you can peek around the whole report here) but one of the first things that caught my eyes were the Top 3 Cited Positive Words Associated With Retirement.

As a Coach, you can bet that in many client conversations we’re talking about some sort of behavior they hope to improve or change.  Often, this points to a specific habit he or she wants to partake in more consistently.  Keeping a habit seems to be this longed-for trait people put on a pedestal. “I just need to make it a habit”, they say. And it’s as if that was true, then all would be well in the world.

The TransAmerica Center for Retirement Studies conducts annual research about the topic of retirement. Interestingly, they don't just poll those nearing or at retirement age. They span across Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers.

Today’s topic is from their 22nd Annual Retirement Survey of Workers. There are many intriguing components of their research (you can peek around the whole report here) but one of the first things that caught my eyes were the Top 3 Cited Positive Words Associated With Retirement.

Here are 4 important reasons a Coach in your circle will positively impact your financial practice.

1) Your energy gets a boost knowing that your client's emotional needs are well supported.
We know our capacity and ability to stretch in all direction is limited. Take this burden off your shoulders that's beyond your training and offload the discernment, worry, and complexity your clients are experiencing with a trained and certified Coach.

2) Builds trust since the service isn't directly money related.

There is something so attractive about a “fresh start”. We’re filled with optimism, there’s a pep in our step, and the possibilities are boundless. This lasts for a whole… oh, I don’t know… 5 minutes, before we can easily begin a dizzying spiral downward.

While I’m a proponent of new beginnings (and certainly a proponent of optimism!) , I’m going to highlight some not so commonly shared pitfalls of this Blank Slate narrative.

I purposely don’t mince my words here as it’s critical that clients approaching a big life change such as Retirement understand the importance of vision and preparedness.

Hopefully you’re still basking in the glow of connection and gratitude with loved ones over Thanksgiving.  There’s a lot of hoopla around gratitude before the holiday arrives.  I’m here to keep it going!

We know that gratitude is best practiced daily.

When we approach gratitude daily, it’s a well that never runs dry.  In fact, the more we dip down to acknowledge daily blessings, gifts, and love in our lives, the more the cup overflows.

I’m keeping this one short and sweet with my BEST tip for practicing gratitude.  

Change and transition have an uncanny ability to disrupt several life dimensions. If not our relationships, then our emotional health. If not our emotional health, then our environmental (home, office, etc) health. If not environmental then our physical health….
You get the idea.
Due to the synergy of our lives and interplay between all dimensions, each area will feel some sort of ripple effect, even if it’s not hit the hardest by the transition.

But, when exactly will these disruptions happen?

Fresh off the heels of Halloween, I’m intrigued by the reality - or idea - of fear.

As a Coach, I regularly help my clients navigate fear. Rather than the hair-raising, scream-inducing fright of a zombie, it’s most often the immobilizing, painful unknown of a foggy future. The majority of my Coaching is Transition Coaching. Client’s are either currently navigating a personal or professional change or anticipating one. With six years of Coaching under my belt, I’ve learned there’s a unique relationship between change and fear that most everyone experiences.

A client sits across from you sharing their concern for the future. As you listen compassionately, it’s clear that they’re feeling rather “stuck”. They’re quite frustrated and distraught about what to do. You notice a lack of excitement expressed about what’s next for them.
Do they need a Counselor? A Coach?
Let’s distinguish the 3 key differences of Coaching and Counseling.

There can be a lot of spooky things when change is on the horizon. Rather than goblins, mummies, or ghosts looming around the corner, it’s often anxiety, perfectionism, and despair rearing their ugly heads.

Retiring (semi or fully) should not be a season of angst. It can be one of great joy and adventure! There’s no doubt that this change will shake things up. But, rather than it haunting your sleep or unearthing ghosts… you can be armed and ready to leave the fright behind and confidently approach this new season.

This is the most difficult newsletter I’ve ever had to send. I know many of you are already aware, yet with the shocking nature of the news, I have not been able to notify my wider community of colleagues, clients, and friends. I also wanted to describe a bit of the larger story and honor my beloved sister.

Like many of you, the year has been full of unexpected turns. Today actually marks day 11 of my COVID experience. My symptoms have greatly lessened from the first few days (Thank the Good Lord) and I have until mid-week next week until I can break free from quarantine.
It got me thinking about my word for the year - EXPANSION.

If you're looking to refresh your focus, your intention, or your momentum towards your goals I highly encourage you to check out this conversation with Dr. David Gulledge.

Dr. Gulledge is a skilled chiropractor helping men and women of all ages enjoy healthier lives through proper spine care. As you can imagine, their business was impacted by COVID since patient care is all face-to-face. And yet, Dr. David is tracking to have his best year in terms of financial growth and patients served.

Physical wellness is a dimension each one of us has unique challenges in from time to time. I know for me, it was really disheartening when I felt like I was trying everything, yet still feeling crappy and not getting relief from my health symptoms.

Brooke has been in the wellness space for the last decade. She has expertise around the proper tests, questions, and approaches that will support your healthiest path.

As I was putting the final touches on the newsletter today, it simply did not feel right to share my regularly scheduled content with you as if I'm operating as business as usual. The reality is it has been challenging week and it is clear for communities everywhere in our country that business is not operating as usual.