Archive for October, 2007
What does W.I.T. Coaching Really Mean?
I deliberately chose the name W.I.T. (Whatever It Takes) to describe my approach to coaching for several reasons that I think might be useful for you to know.
First of all, the word WIT conveys the natural smile in my voice that seeks to encourage others to find and utilize their own sense of humor. Over and over again I have found gentle humor in myself and clients to be indispensable for maintaining optimism and perspective, especially in the face of adversity. Stefan Klein, in The Science of Mind, a book I have found stimulating on many levels, talks about the positive physiological changes that occur when we simply smile. When we go further and actually develop thoughts that focus on a humorous facet of a difficult situation, we promote the growth of new brain cells and stimulate powerful endorphins. Read the rest of this entry »
Where Does the Energy to Create and Change Come From?
The other book I have found useful for writers and other coaching clients is Bill O’Hanlon’s new book, Write Is A Verb.
I’ve been a reader of Bill’s work for a long time, have studied Positive Psychology with him, and always find his approach and personal energy stimulating.
He has come up with a neat way to describe the different energies that can fuel writing (and most other positive accomplishments and changes in people’s lives):
The 4 sources of energy come from feeling blissed, blessed, dissed, and pissed. (Don’t you love it?) Read the rest of this entry »
The Demon Called Anxiety and How to Tame It
I coach writers a lot and am always looking for articles and books that explore, teach, inspire them to understand what might be slowing them down or stopping them from completing their work. Most of the information I come across is as applicable to my other coaching clients who are, say, making career changes or life transitions as to writers.
Recently, for example, I read two books that are filled with specific ideas that will help anyone who is having trouble trying to fulfill a meaningful goal. I’ll focus in this post on what Mary Pipher, in her book Writing to Change the World, calls the “inner demons” that afflict many people when they merely think about doing something new and risky. Read the rest of this entry »