What all of these different areas have in common is that there is often a gap between where we are and where we want to be. A coach brings new eyes and ears to your situation and provides a safe, nonjudgmental space for you to figure out how to close that gap.
One of my colleagues called coaching “facilitation of the future.” I love that! It captures what makes coaching so powerful.
Encouraging friends and mentors are an important part of our support network. That said, coaching with me provides additional benefits:
- Support tailored to your introvert strengths and personality
- Complete focus on YOU and YOUR agenda
- Objectivity and a fresh perspective unmuddled by any history
- No unsolicited advice
- Nonjudgmental approach
- Oriented towards the future, not the past
- Willingness to challenge you and help you honor your commitments to yourself
- Deep belief in your inner knowing and ability to succeed
- Strict confidentiality (what you say to me will never get back to your sister or your boss!)
Coaches DO NOT treat clinical disorders such as anxiety, depression, addiction, and phobias.
My specialty is Entrepreneur Coaching for introverts. With me, you’ll find a uniquely safe space for you to process and succeed on your own terms. You develop skills that help you work WITH your introversion, not against it. It’s not about changing who you are so you can be more extroverted; it’s about understanding your strengths and trusting them enough to let them shine.
Over the past eight years, I’ve worked with more than 100 clients on a range of topics. Some of the benefits they’ve experienced include:
- creating and implementing a business model that is sustainable and supportive of their introvert energy
- better understanding of the strengths and challenges of their introvert personality
- improved communication, based on knowing their style and needs
- living and making choices that work with their introvert energy, rather than against it
- increased self-trust and compassion
- ability to show up confidently in their own skin, rather than trying to be an extrovert
- less attachment and fear
- living in closer alignment with their values
- safe space to process and plan various aspects of their business
- more fulfilling relationships with family, friends and colleagues
- more commitment and follow-through by learning how to deal with over-thinking and “paralysis by analysis”
No! While my introvert clients do outnumber the extroverts, both find benefit from my approach and focus. After all, everyone has aspects of each type of energy within us. That said, the majority of my clients are introverts. My introvert clients benefit from working with a coach who understands their unique strengths and challenges, as well as their need for space, processing time and reflection. Extroverts stand to benefit in two different ways: first, coaching can help them bring out and strengthen their introvert energy (which enhances their capacity to listen, create safety, slow down and reflect internally); and second, it helps them better understand and live/work with the introverts in their lives.
This depends on distance and preference and is agreed upon at the start of the coaching relationship. Most often, sessions are conducted over the phone, Skype, or Zoom. This allows for optimal flexibility and convenience for both coach and client.
I’ve worked with clients from around the world, so distance is not an issue. I also understand the challenge of different time zones and will work with you to find mutually convenient session times.
All clients have access to a secure online client-only website that contains forms, goal setting worksheets, and other useful tools to support getting the most out of the coaching experience.
My specialty is coaching for introvert entrepreneurs. I approach the relationship with a coaching/consulting hybrid model. The goal is for clients to discern their own path and strategy, with feedback and resources offered from my experiences.
The 6-Month Coaching Partnership starts off with a 90-minute Discovery Session, during which we assess your current situation and goals, as well as prioritize and determine our primary areas of focus. Following that, you will have two 60-minute sessions per month. The initial coaching partnership is for a 6-month commitment; at about the 5-month point, we’ll check in about progress towards goals and determine if a partnership extension would be beneficial.
Insight Strategy Sessions are specifically designed for the individual who feels like s/he’s on the right track, but progress has stalled, focus has gotten fuzzy, or a new development has thrown a monkey-wrench into the works. We work together for a set period of time, anywhere from one to four hours. These sessions are a great option for someone with a very specific challenge or opportunity that would benefit from feedback, brainstorming, processing and action plan development. I jokingly call these sessions “Rent Beth’s Brain,” because you’re going to get all of the expertise my brain can give you!
My rates are commensurate with my training and experience, as well as client success rates. They range from a per-month retainer model (6-Month Program) to a flat fee (Strategy Sessions). Here are my coaching and strategy session rates for 2019-20 (opens a PDF in a new window).
In every interaction I have with you, I will act with integrity, honesty, and sincerity. I will set aside distractions and be fully present. I will access my intuition and seek the best way to support your needs. I will gently probe as well as ask direct questions, and I will seek your permission if I want to offer a suggestion. My approach to Entrepreneur Coaching involves a hybrid of styles, mixing some consulting in with the coaching paradigm. I will provide you with support, encouragement, and a safe space to take risks. All communication is confidential. I abide by the ethical standards set forth by the International Coach Federation. If you need assistance I cannot provide, I will refer you to a variety of resources.
You are committed to action and evolution. You want to look more closely at what you’re doing – and not doing – and make changes that will move you forward. You come to the partnership with curiosity, openness, and a willingness to be honest with yourself and with me. You are ready for new possibilities and ways of seeing yourself and those around you. You set the agenda and tell me what you need for each session. You determine your goals and priorities. You define success for yourself and hold yourself accountable. You keep your commitments and are fully present for each session.
You’ll notice right away that a coaching conversation is very different than one you might have with a best friend, partner, or co-worker. Instead of offering advice or personally relating to your statements, I’ll ask you what coaches call “powerful questions.” These are open-ended, often begin with “what,” “how,” or “when,” and are an invitation for deeper reflection and exploration. Here are a few examples:
- What are you committed to?
- What did you learn?
- What’s next?
- How will you know?
- When will you take action?
- What are your choices?
- What’s true?
You can talk to me! I am happy to have a phone or e-mail conversation and answer your questions. Click here to schedule a complimentary Information Session (opens my TimeDriver scheduling page in a new window). You can also read what some of my clients have said about their experience with me.
It’s recommended that you talk to a few coaches and see who feels right, who you click with. Someone who is a good coach for your best friend or sister may not be a good coach for you. Your coach needs to be someone you trust and who makes you feel safe, as well as challenged and motivated.
My training is through inviteCHANGE, a highly rated, ICF-accredited academy located in Edmonds, WA. I participate in ongoing professional development as an active member of the ICF-Washington State Chapter and the International Coach Federation. I hold a PCC (Professional Certified Coach) accreditation through the ICF, earned after having recorded more than 900 coaching hours, participated in continuing education, and passed a written exam.
Traditional Coaching: The actual coaching sessions themselves are 60 minutes and there are two per month. Because traditional coaching is not a “quick fix,” I have set up the partnership as an initial 6-month agreement. At the conclusion of the agreement, we will discuss if we want to continue or if our work together is done. On average, many clients work with me for 12-18 months, with some having much longer, ongoing relationships.
Insight Strategy Sessions: Depending on how many sessions you opt to sign up for, the process will last anywhere from one day (one- or two-hour session) to six weeks (three or four sessions). Because of the accelerated pace, it’s important to make sure there’s room in your schedule to take immediate action on your commitments (you don’t want vacations, big deadlines or foreseeable speed bumps to impede your progress).
Regardless of the type of coaching, know that the coaching sessions are meant to be the touchstone for the work you do on a daily basis. This includes implementing your action plan, journaling, reading, revisiting your goals and value statements. As you begin to integrate new behaviors and thought patterns into your life, they will become second nature. But in the beginning, be prepared for fairly significant mental, emotional and even physical energy to be expended on behalf of your personal commitment to progress.
The shortest answer is that coaching accepts where you are now and focuses on looking forward to where you want to be in the future. Most of the questions a coach asks start with “What.” Therapy and counseling focus on your history and an analysis of how you got to your present state. Most questions a therapist asks start with “Why.” Review this PDF from Coachville.com for additional information.
I can be reached in several ways:
Beth (at) TheIntrovertEntrepreneur (dot) com
253-617-0779
The Introvert Entrepreneur
233 St. Helens Ave, #505
Tacoma, WA 98402