What Is Coaching?

"The eyes that see the soul are different from the eyes that see the self. We see soul when we are in the mystery. We see self when we are in events. The coach must have eyes for both."
- Julio Olalla

Coaching is an effective, personalized relationship that focuses on the client taking action toward their personal and professional vision, goals and desires. It is an on-going partnership that helps produce results. Through the process of coaching, clients deepen their learning, improve their performance & enhance their quality of life.

Professionally trained coaches listen and observe, to customize their approach to the individual client's needs. Coaching accelerates progress by providing greater focus and awareness of choice. Coaches believe that a client is naturally creative and resourceful and it is the coach's function to uncover the resources that the client already has.

Coaching has been with us for a long time. Today, a fundamental role of a coach is to assist individuals and organizations navigate change, transitions and stay true to reaching their goals. In times of such accelerated change, a professional coach offers guidance, support and encouragement to help people stay focused on a task and, in essence, lead a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

How Does Coaching Work?

"The true journey of discovery does not consist in searching for new territories, but in having new eyes."
- Marcel Proust

Coaches facilitate the process to find the answers within yourself, discover your purpose and move you toward your result. A coach accomplishes this by assisting the client to identify and resolve roadblocks, by using powerful requests and accountability, by supporting what is working, by listening and by being enthusiastic and sincere. Coaching often involves observing your language or the conversations you have, your body movements and your emotions. Coaching is confidential, safe and empowering.

The way in which we live in the world has a foundation in the way we perceive or observe our surroundings and ourselves. Our perceptions are based on our beliefs, conversations, emotions and the organizations we participate in. By taking a look at ourselves and the way we observe or perceive our world, we can reveal our potential and modify our patterns of behaving that limit our well being and the results we want to produce. By becoming a new observer of ourselves and others, we can modify the behaviors that trap us and don't produce the outcomes we desire.

As your coach, I increase your ability to learn and to act by expanding the observer that you are in the world. I offer an invitation to explore…to discover… and to revisit important questions about how you take action in your life. All this is provided to you in an environment full of creativity, confidence, respect and commitment.

My coaching is flexible and focused on your unique needs. Together, we will design a coaching program that will work best for you. In general, coaching sessions are scheduled 2 to 8 times each month and last 45 to 60 minutes. I coach in-person, over the telephone and through e-mail. Most people make a 3 to 6 month commitment to our coaching relationship but others are coached on a specific project.

What Brings People to Coaching?

Here's a list of questions for you to ponder. These are examples of what some people have begun a coaching relationship with me for.

Are you considering a job or career change?

Would you like to improve your relationships?

Do you need motivation and a plan to exercise/eat healthier?

Is it the right time to start or expand your own business?

Does your energy level keep you from getting things done?

Is your home or office unorganized and cluttered?

Would you like to communicate better?

Do you believe your mind, body and emotions are connected?

Are you all alone with your concerns?

Do people take advantage of you?

Do you want to be more assertive, open-minded, flexible or stable?

Do you want more time for yourself and your priorities?

Has balancing your family and work life become overwhelming?

Do people misunderstand you?

Are there people that you can’t get along with no matter what?

Is there someone you don’t trust and would like to?

Do you want to let go of what’s holding you back to move on?

Does your child need guidance to be a better student/athlete?

Are you not getting enough quality sleep?

Do you want to learn a healthy way to manage your weight?

Is it difficult for you to make decisions?

Do you want to be yourself and truly connect with others?

In coaching, I call the examples listed above “breakdowns.” Breakdowns are events that interrupt the flow or transparency of the action in our lives. In general, we do not need to think about our daily activities in order to perform them. They are so much a part of our routine that they are invisible to us. In other words, they are transparent to us.

When we get interrupted, what was once invisible now becomes evident to us. Breakdowns focus our awareness on the action that we are performing. They interrupt our future action. Breakdowns result in a change in the expected normal course of events. They can be positive or negative (death, birth, marriage, promotion, accident or sickness, computer glitch, moving).

Our ability to voluntarily declare breakdowns is essential to our ability to learn in life. Without the admitting that we are dissatisfied, we have no chance of initiating the process of growth and development. For example, in order to lose weight, it is necessary first to say, "Enough, I don't want to go on suffering emotionally and physically because of my weight."

Is Coaching For You?

"The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it."
- Unknown

You might think coaching is for people who don't know what they want to do with their lives, but the opposite is also true. Many of my coaching clients tend to be successful, well-adjusted people who are hoping to accomplish even more in their lives. It's smart to ask for help. When you hire a coach, you start to take yourself more seriously and stop putting up with what's dragging you down.

People often focus on increasing skills to do more of the same. For many, this has become insufficient to deal with the issues they are facing. Another way to look at this is when people are not able achieve something that they would like to. They can't seem to figure out what is keeping them from what they desire. Something may be missing or not available to them. I coach with people who are motivated and "ready" to explore new possibilities. My clients seek lasting change and mastery in living.

So, would coaching be a smart investment for you right now? Are you the kind of person who could benefit?

You decide. I say it's for people who recognize that coaching is a powerful avenue to help them move forward. Aren't you curious to know what your life could be like if you created a relationship with a coach?

How Is A Coach Different From A Therapist, Sports Coach, Consultant or Best Friend?

"All my life I wanted to be somebody, but I see now I should have been more specific."
- Jane Wagner

A therapist works with people who are asking why, dealing with old issues and seeking healing from emotional pain or trauma. A therapist may assist the client in untangling unconscious conflicts and treat depression, anxiety, phobias, addictions and destructive behavior. Coaching includes several principles from sports coaching - teamwork, going for the goal, being your best. Unlike sports coaching, most coaching is not based on winning or losing. Coaches strengthen the client's skills as opposed to helping them beat the other team. It's a win/win situation. Consultants are experts with answers or are people who have done what the client is doing. Coaching is a form of consulting. But the coach stays with the client to help implement the new skills to make sure they happen. A best friend is wonderful to have. But is your best friend a professional who you will trust to advise you on the most important aspects of your life and/or business? Have a best friend and a coach.

What Jackie's Coachees Are Saying...

"Jackie, you truly have been given a gift. I realize that I have so much control of my life lying right inside of me and I possess what it takes to achieve something. I apply these concepts now without even thinking about it. This has heightened my awareness. I have better conversations with people, make requests easier and follow through. I enjoyed the time away and learning more about myself."
- Educator

”Our coaching relationship is challenging me to look at my facts and circumstances

with a different view even given a relatively extensive experience.”
                         - Attorney

"You'll get nothing but a GREAT referral from me. You are great!" You seem genuinely interested in helping people meet their goals - whatever they are. You have helped me a lot to professionalize myself so that I can attract and maintain patients."
- Chiropractor

"Jackie kept me on track with was important to me. It's valuable to know that you are trained and available to help people work through life. I enjoyed having someone to talk things out with. It prevented me from doing too much of that "whining thing" to my spouse."
- Office Manager

"Coaching with Jackie has given me a chance to work toward something I always wanted to do. The experience has been very good, helpful and relaxing."
- Branch Manager

"As a result of the coaching with Jackie I gained insight into some "ruts" I might be in when communicating with certain individuals. Through probing questions, I evaluated why I do some of the things I do, say some of the things I say, or behave in certain ways. With a coach I could evaluate these things and make some plans for change and improve communication. We discussed evaluating a mood and how to make improvements in it. I found most valuable some ways to turn a conversation around from defense to offense. It felt empowering to be able to observe the experience of how I behave, converse and feel. I was able to put the coaching into practice and felt the new found knowledge to be empowering. I look forward to using my new skills in more future situations."
- Nurse Manager

"I've learned how to handle the challenges in my life better and to follow my "gut" feeling. I am able to be more assertive and less anxious. Also, I am more stable, confident and focused. I've traveled from darkness to seeing the light."
- "Go-For"/Cleaning Person

"I've gained an awareness of body postures, breathing and mood in my daily conversations. Coaching with Jackie has created greater acceptance of people and things that happen in my life."
- Retiree

Experience The Benefits Of Coaching With Jackie

Our coaching is based on an empowering, supportive partnership that will:

• Enhance your ability to learn and listen to the opportunities that are available.
• Positively impact your ability to coordinate actions with others.
• Gain practices that will improve your effectiveness in action & communication.
• Help you face your "monsters" and also recognize your "angels" in order to access new possibilities.
• Set both short & long range goals.
• Facilitate commitment to act on goals.
• Encourage you to take creative, new steps toward goals.
• Develop strategies to utilize strengths.
• Create focus, drive & momentum.
• Reveal obstacles.
• Achieve the desired outcomes.
• Create balance.
• Maximize performance.
• Navigate change & conflict.
• Enhance your ability to manage & lead yourself & others.
• Increase self-awareness & insight.
• Celebrate achievements.
• Create success in all parts of your life.
• Determine action plans & check progress.
• Greatly increase personal and professional well-being & satisfaction.

  "A recent client survey done by the International Coach Federation showed that a landslide of 98.5 percent of these clients considered their investment in hiring a coach well worth the money."

Complimentary Coaching Session - Let's Get Acquainted!

Schedule Your Complimentary Session

Jackie Bredl-Dietrich, CHES, PCC
Life & Business Coach, Speaker, Consultant & Author
P.O. Box 1101, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495
715-421-4700
Jackie@WholeLifeVisions.com