relationship counseling for you & your systems

E-courses are all well and good, but sometimes what you and your systems really need is a good relationship counselor.

If you are looking for help with a specific challenge, rather than the overview of basic skills you would get in a class, private coaching sessions may be just the ticket.

challenges coaching can help resolve

People bring all sorts of challenges to private sessions with me. Problems like:

over-scheduling oneself and generally saying yes to too much
knowing how to choose from waaay too many ideas
eliminating distraction, procrastination and perfectionism
handling the constant inflow of information (via email and otherwise) and reducing, sorting, storing and retrieving it when needed
using standard tools (like Excel or Basecamp) in non-standard ways
smoothly moving into and out of the work day/week – or in and out of work that requires travel and lots of time being “on”
creating time management strategies that adjust to seasonal changes in work
developing start-to-finish systems for completing client services that track details at a glance and don’t leave loose ends
consistently engaging in marketing or keeping up with maintenance (like filing, bookkeeping, domestic chores and whatnot) between creative work
bringing support into a business and developing systems for delegation
making time and creating structure to change direction or bring something new into a business
moving through transitions in one’s professional life brought on by changes in one’s personal life
shifting from a day-job to self-employment (or working around a day-job while building a business)

Even if your particular challenge doesn’t show up on this list, I’m guessing you’re seeing a few of its cousins – which I hope helps you recognize two things. First: you are not alone in your struggle. And second: whatever you’re dissatisfied with or confused about has a solution, just as my other clients have discovered.

what’s included

The Microscope/Telescope Intake Questionnaire. Your answers to these questions will help me prepare for our sessions and allow us to see clearly the outcome you want from your systems, build on what is already working, and pinpoint exactly where you are struggling so we can effectively focus our efforts.
Four private thirty-minute coaching sessions, via telephone, focused on the challenges you described in the intake worksheet.
A “homework” summary emailed to you following each session with practical, doable actions to take. Your summary will also include any supplemental material that was referenced, and an MP3 recording of our conversation (provided via a downloadable link) so you can review what we discussed.
Unlimited email support between sessions – because sometimes challenges come up when you least expect them and it’s nice to be able to grab a helping hand. I’ll also check in with you from time to time to offer encouragement and some gentle accountability.
Also, as a special bonus, a free one-month trial membership in The Maintenance Department.

Why don’t you offer single coaching sessions?
Because healing your relationship with time, finishing, or the administration of your business works best in cycles of review and action.

So we’ll talk, then I’ll send you off to do some homework. We’ll talk again about what you learned, then I’ll suggest another action to take. We’ll talk about how that went, and I’ll give you an action to add to the previous one. And so forth. How many cycles depends on the depth and complexity of the problem, but 2-4 seems to be the minimum required.

That doesn’t mean this stuff has to take forever – chances are you’ll see improvements right away – it’s just that I haven’t found any quick under-an-hour fixes (and it would be irresponsible of me to imply that’s possible by offering single sessions).

Should you want a booster session at some point after the completion of our initial sessions, you will be able to purchase single follow-up sessions as needed.

how I work

I will never ever ask you to be someone you’re not. I love you and your quirky mind just the way you are. Much of the counseling I offer ends up being about giving clients full permission to be themselves and simply do things the way they want to do them. That resolves a lot of problems right there.

I am a creative myself and see things through the eyes of an artist and right-brainer. Which often means borrowing from models like basic design principles to help creative clients apply what they already understand about how to organize something to the day-to-day operation of their businesses.

KISS is my guiding principle (keep it simple, sweethearts). I am committed to helping you avoid complicated systems. Instead we’ll develop simple systems that yield complex results.

One of my superpowers is seeing how things fit together. Finding the cosmos in your chaos is partly intuitive, but I also draw on 20+ years experience supporting a wide variety of creatives – from designers and architects, to art coaches and gallery owners, writers and teachers, among others. The insights gained from these relationships inform my current work with clients. Believe me, I know first-hand the difficulties of trying to streamline one’s muse.

I am your biggest fan. Nothing makes me happier than helping people find the right-relationship with the administrative side of their businesses. Because when that’s flowing smoothly, you are free to give your creative gifts to the world – and in my opinion the world desperately needs what you have to offer.

who I work best with

I love working with self-employed creatives (and please know I define “creative” pretty broadly).

People who aren’t afraid of their own unique intelligence – and are prepared to use it.

People who like to experiment and invent their own way of doing things.

People with a sense of humor about themselves and the world – and who like to play.

People who are willing to look at their stories – and rewrite them.

People who aren’t willing to settle for anything less than a just-right fit – no more square pegs in round holes (or vice versa).

People who are committed to their own cause – and the personal growth required to make it happen.

People who are ready to feel clear, focused, in command – and ready for anything.

booking your sessions

Package of four private thirty-minute coaching sessions, plus unlimited email support between sessions: $300

Please note: your four-session package is good for 60 days from the date of purchase.

Please schedule an introductory call (or contact me via email) to discuss your situation and confirm it is something I can help you improve. (If not, I’ll refer you to other people with organizing smarts.)
If it’s a go, I’ll send you an email with instructions to make your payment and schedule your sessions, along with other details.
That message will also include the Microscope/Telescope Intake Questionnaire for you to reflect on, fill out, and return to me a couple days before our first session. This allows us to spend less time on explaining and get right to the strategizing – which means you get more from our time together.

• • • • •

Our history and assumptions can blind us to solutions that are right in front us. If you are struggling, allow me to offer a fresh, compassionate and expert perspective that can reveal solutions to your situation.

Please contact me today to get started.