Make it a GREAT week!

Yes, another week is upon us...what a great opportunity to start anew!  This is especially true as we "spring ahead" this Sunday and (hopefully) begin to see the birth of spring weather across the country.  Monday's can be daunting, but don't let the week start off on a negative note.  A new week is actually another opportunity to erase any negativity that may have occurred in the last 7 days.  Let this week be better and more fulfilling by adopting a new attitude and renewed focus! Treat yourself to a massage or walk in the park. Enjoy a lovely dinner with friends and loved ones. It's amazing how relatively small acts of kindness toward yourself will uplift and inspire you for several days following the event.

I hope you truly find time to live your best life this week!

Coach J

Life Coaching...a partnership like no other!

Best Life Coaching’s mission is to help you truly live your best life and that starts right here!

Since life coaching and business coaching are relatively new professions and many people haven't had any direct experience with them, the question of why coaching works (or is needed) is something we frequently hear.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that coaching is about giving advice or simply mentoring someone through a challenge in their life.  It’s understandable why this misconception exists, but let me reassure you that life coaches are not mentors or simply advisors.  We are skilled professionals who love helping others live the life they dream of – right now!

Life Coaching is a designed alliance between coach and client where the coaching relationship continually gives all the power back to you, the client. We believe that you know the answers to every question or challenge you may have in your life, even if those answers appear to be obscured, concealed or hidden inside.

Our skills are about knowing the right questions to ask and having the right tools and techniques to empower you to find those answers within yourself.

You, the client, are the only expert in your entire life who truly knows who you are and what you need. You are the only expert who can recognize what is absolutely best for you. We are simply experts in the coaching process. As your coach, we help you discover what your own personal "best" might be.

Every day we make choices to do or not do many things. These choices may range from profound to trivial and each one has an effect that makes our lives more fulfilling or less fulfilling, more balanced or less balanced, that makes our process of living more effective or less effective.  Life coaching helps you learn how to make choices that create an effective, balanced and fulfilling life.

We help you connect your head and your heart in a way that transforms your passion for your dreams into action for your life.

According to Einstein, "We can't solve problems by using the same thinking we used when we created them." A coach can help you shift your thinking to a new perspective…and a great coach has enough experience and skill to help you make that shift quickly and permanently.

Success comes when you change wishing into doing!  Let me help you make that transformation in your life...so you can live your Best Life NOW!

Coach J

Check out my website to learn more about Coach J!

It’s finally here…the launch of Best Life Coaching’s very own website!  I’m very excited to finally have a home for my clients and fans to visit and learn more about coaching. 

Please check out the new site and let me know what you think!  You can find Best Life Coaching at coachjc.webs.com.

Here are few items you’ll find on the site:

• The partnership between a Life Coach and the Client
• 5 simple steps to help you discover if you need a Life Coach
• My passion and purpose for coaching
• A few of my coaching niches
• How you can contact me for a complimentary consultation
• Recommended products that will allow you to live your BEST LIFE

There are thousands of coaches out there who can offer their services to you.  I welcome the opportunity to help you transform your life from GOOD to GREAT!  I selected the name Best Life for my practice because I honestly believe that we all want to live our best life.  If this true for you, please let me put my skills and training to work for you, so you too can live your best life!

Coach J

Did you miss a post...no problem! Here's a review of recent posts

For those of you who haven’t been able to keep up with my blog posts, here’s your chance to get a quick snapshot of what’s been happening on Best Life Coaching!

The greatest hits include:

Celebrate Today – The days fly by us so quickly anymore, it’s no wonder we constantly ask ourselves - where has the time gone?  Celebrate Today simply highlights the need for daily gratitude and reflection.  Each day is truly a gift to be celebrated.  Why not spend a little time today reflecting on how wonderful your life is and how blessed we all are to be able to celebrate today!

Oh…the Weather Outside is Frightful… - This post highlighted one of the worse snow storms to hit the Midwest in a decade.  Although the weather was indeed frightful, it provided a great opportunity to relax, kick back and be grateful for Mother Nature’s gift of solitude. When we don’t voluntarily slow our pace, life has a way of slowing it for us!

Be Observant, It’s Amazing What you Take In – In this post, I revealed one of my favorite past times, people watching!  I love to visit airports, which happen to be prime people watching territories!  If we are observant, it’s amazing just what we observe taking place around us. The sights, sounds, smells and sheer beauty can be overwhelming.  Take some time to observe your surroundings…I’ll bet you’ll be amazed what you see!

Why Not Today? – Much like “Celebrate Today”, this post was really about not procrastinating your day away (Sunday in this case).  Using your energy to tackle undesirable tasks will free you (mentally) from the stress of that impossibly long task list that never seems to shrink. Taking an attitude of “just do it” will allow you to sleep more peacefully tonight.

Book Review – Take Time for Your Life – Cheryl Richardson’s Take Time for Your Life is one of best books I’ve ever read.  I use many of the principles found in this book on a daily basis.  Cheryl’s concept of extreme self-care is powerful and energizing.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who is seeking more joy, peace, and time in their life. 

Book Review – Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart – Much like Cheryl’s book, Gordon Livingston has a great read on his hands with Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart.  His smart, funny and very commonsense approach allows the reader to reflect on how they move through the world and spend the precious few years we all have here on earth.  This book is one I reference often when I need to balance my thinking and gain some much needed perspective!

These are only a few of the posts you’ll find on my blog! .

Discover the path that will allow you to LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE!

Coach J

Welcome to Best Life Coaching!

Welcome to Best Life Coaching!

Best Life Coaching’s mission is to help you truly live your best life and that starts right here! 

My name is Jerry Caldwell and I’m a certified life coach (ICF certified) who works with clients to help them transform their lives from GOOD to GREAT!  Best Life Coaching is both my inspiration and my passion, and I’m elated to share it with you.

Since life coaching and business coaching are relatively new professions and many people haven't had any direct experience with them, the question of why coaching works (or is needed) is something we frequently hear.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that coaching is about giving advice or simply mentoring someone through a challenge in their life.  It’s understandable why this misconception exists, but let me reassure you that life coaches are not mentors or simply advisors.  We are skilled professionals who love helping others live the life they dream of – right now!

Coaching – whether you work with a life coach or a business coach – asserts that all of the answers we seek are inside of ourselves. A great coach will not tell you what to do – they will help you empower yourself to listen to your inner voice and higher coach.  Life and business coaching are about permanent and fundamental shifts in your view of yourself and your business.

According to Einstein, "We can't solve problems by using the same thinking we used when we created them." A coach can help you shift your thinking to a new perspective…and a great coach has enough experience and skill to help you make that shift quickly and permanently.

Success comes when you change wishing into doing!  Let me help you make that transformation in your life...so you can live your Best Life NOW!

Coach J

What is Life Coaching? Check out my analysis of lifecoaching.com

For most people out there searching for a life coach or life coach training, they are probably going to conduct a Google search on the words “Life Coach” or “Life Coach Training”.  One of the first sites that will be optimized to the top of the search list will be lifecoaching.com.  Lifecoaching.com provides a wealth of information on the topic of life coaching and the life coach training process.  I found the site to be very useful and informative.

I have to admit that I wasn’t sure who the site owners were, but quickly learned after reading the Become a Life Coach page that the coaches were trained by the same school that I attended, iPEC Coaching!  The site owners, Kellie deRuyter and Carmine Leo admit that they are biased since they attended iPEC (and they promote iPEC throughout the site), and I must do the same before fully providing my critique.  iPEC is a great school and one of the first to be certified by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) for their outstanding curriculum and rigorous training process.

But, having said that, here are my thoughts on the site and the advice it provides – lifecoaching.com provides a comprehensive review of what life coaching is, the vast array of life coaching schools that exist around the world, how to select a coach that is just right of you, and the process of hiring a coach or becoming one.  Kellie and Carmine do a nice job of providing links to resources at Amazon.com (which provides income for them), pictures and biographies of themselves, and quizzes that help potential clients evaluate their need for a coach.  I think this important, since not everyone needs a coach when they are struggling with challenges in their lives.  There are many different professionals out there who can assist you with challenges in your life – therapists, counselors, psychologists, and case managers just to name a few.  Life coaches are different than any of these professionals in that they are very future focused and believe that the answers that each of us need to successfully live our best life already lie within us.  We simply need help uncovering and acting upon them.  For those individuals who need to go back and examine their past to heal a present mental or emotional block, a life coach may not be best option for you.  One of the professionals previously mentioned would probably be a better option.

If there is a single criticism I have for lifecoaching.com, it would be that the site appears to try to do a lot of things at the same time.  Once you read through most of the pages, it’s clear that Kellie and Carmine are primarily promoting their coaching services.  However, the landing page that is linked from Google would lead you to believe that the site is just focused on informing you about the theory of life coaching.  That could be misleading to some, but not a huge concern overall.

So, if you would like to learn about life coaching in general or read more about Kellie and Carmine, check out their website – lifecoaching.com.  And as always, continue to seek the peace and joy that will allow you to live your best life!

Coach J

Best Places to Relax in U.S.

With school and work schedules on overdrive, it's easy to forget about the need to take a break. But don't head into spring without an escape plan in place-before you know it summer will be here and you'll be feeling the stress in body and mind.

Why not carve out time between now and summer for some healing R&R. After all, research shows that relaxation has some pretty significant health benefits, including improving immune function and lowering blood pressure.  To help you on your journey, I’ve searched the web for some of the best places to unwind in America.  Hopefully, one of them will be just perfect for you…

Manoa Falls, HI – The beauty of these falls is considered to be second to none. The journey to the Manoa is just as inspiring as the vision of the falls themselves-the easy, 1.5-mile hike winds its way through lush, green rainforest and bamboo forest to the base of the Ko'oaus Mountains, where the grand finale--Manoa Falls-makes you forget about the stresses of everyday life.

Mii Amo Spa, Arizona - If you're looking to unwind, a trip out to the small Arizona town of Sedona is a sure bet, but if you're looking to master the art of relaxation, book a stay at the Mii Amo Spa. The 24,000-square-foot destination spa retreat takes full advantage of its location with Native American rituals and ingredients designed to refresh both mind and body.

Sanibel Island in Florida - If you're looking for a pristine, coastal escape, look no farther than Sanibel Island in Florida. Fifteen miles of unspoiled, white-sand beaches provide the perfect retreat for those seeking to lose themselves to sunbathing and swimming.

Spa at the Wynn, Las Vegas - If you're looking for true relaxation, schedule a spa treatment at the Wynn Resort for the morning after a night on the town. There's something about being able to escape the neon and noise of the city into the comforting cocoon of the spa, with its warm peach and brown hues and feng shui-friendly design, which puts both mind and body at ease.

Runamuk Guest Ranch, Montana - Few places in the U.S. retain the wild feel of the Western Frontier like Montana, with its wide-open prairies, blue-skies, and snow-capped mountain ranges. For outdoor-lovers, it's the perfect place to find a little R&R.

Two Bunch Palms, Desert Hot Springs, CA - Some people claim that soaking in heated mineral water can do everything from increasing blood circulation to stimulating your metabolism to reducing pain, but one thing is for sure-it certainly eases stress, which means relaxed muscles, a calmer mind, and lower blood pressure.

Barefoot Resort, South Carolina - Golf and beach lovers alike find relaxation and fun at the Barefoot Resort in North Myrtle Beach. When visitors aren't out practicing their golf swings, they can be found swimming, sunbathing, sailing or taking advantage of boardwalk extravaganza that is Myrtle Beach.

The Lodge at Woodloch - The Great Lakes Region of Pennsylvania has long attracted nature-lovers and urbanites seeking respite from the city. Visitors flock to the region for the opportunity to hike through lush forest, sail the sparkling waters of Lake Erie, and go bird-spotting. Nestled in the heart of this outdoor paradise is The Lodge at Woodloch-a winning spa that allows guests to simultaneously commune with nature and pamper both body and mind.

Napa Valley, California - Napa Valley may have a reputation as the premier wine region in the United States, but you don't have to be a wine connoisseur to find beauty in the scenery here. The crisp, California air and miles of gently rolling hills and vineyards make this area a serene oasis from everyday life.

No matter the destination, remember to take time to unwind and relax.  It’s so important and soothing to the spirit. 

As always, live your best life!

Coach J

Review/Recommended Reading: Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart

Gordon Livingston’s Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart

There are so many books out there that you can read to gain a new perspective or appreciation for life and all of its many challenges, but this is definitely one of the best and easiest that you will ever find.

Out of a lifetime of experience, Livingston has extracted thirty bedrock truths: We are what we do. Any relationship is under the control of the person who cares the least. The perfect is the enemy of the good. Only bad things happen quickly. Forgiveness is a form of letting go, but they are not the same thing. The statute of limitations has expired on most of our childhood traumas.

He intersperses counsel with personal experience, and tackles topics both joyful and deeply painful. In the chapter focusing on "We are what we do," he notes that the "three components of happiness are something to do, someone to love, and something to look forward to," and he reminds us that "love is demonstrated behaviorally"-that is, actions count more than words. In his discussion of "Happiness is the greatest risk," he considers how our fear of losing happiness is often a roadblock to our experiencing it. For those contemplating suicide, he writes that "it is reasonable to confront them with the selfishness and anger implied in any act of self-destruction." Livingston's words feel true and his wisdom hard-earned.

Livingston illuminates these and twenty-four others in a series of carefully hewn, perfectly calibrated essays, many of which emphasize our closest relationships and the things that we do to impede or, less frequently, enhance them. Again and again, these essays underscore that "we are what we do," and that while there may be no escaping who we are, we also have the capacity to face loss, misfortune, and regret and to move beyond them.

Full of things we may know but have not articulated to ourselves, Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart is a gentle and poignant alternative to the trial-and-error learning that makes wisdom such a hard earned treasure. For everyone who feels a sense of urgency that the clock ticks and still we aren’t the person we’d like to be, it offers solace, guidance, and hope.

I highly recommend picking up a copy, so you too can experience the joy and live your best life!




Coach J

Want to become a life coach? Here's how...

By becoming a Life Coach you can guide individuals to greatness in many aspects of their lives while gaining the tools to go out into the world as a strong and clear communicator. You will learn to ask the right questions, listen and give honest and clear feedback. You will see the transformation begin right before your eyes. It’s an amazing chance to help others achieve the goals they have always dreamed of.

What Career Opportunities Are Available for Coaches?

There are countless opportunities for Certified Life Coaches. Ultimately, great coaching, regardless whether we label it business coaching, executive coaching, personal coaching, whatever coaching - all boils down to one thing - bringing out the very best in yourself and others. This need for support and encouragement is not something that will fade away. In fact, as more and more people are looking to alternative methods for health and wellness maintenance, the need for trained Life Coaches is on the rise.

Below is a list of life coach training programs.  I must start with the program I completed to receive my certification (IPEC Coaching); obviously I'm biased, but it's a great organization:

www.ipeccoaching.com

www.coachtrainingalliance.com

www.spencerinstitute.com

www.erickson.edu/LifeCoachCertification

www.lifecoachingcertification.net/

www.lifepurposeinstitute.com/

www.nlpcacoach.org/

www.icoachacademy.com/

www.lifecoachtraining.com/

www.icoachacademy.com/

Obviously, this is not an all inclusive list of schools and programs available for life coach training, but these are some of the more popular choices.  To ensure your training is comprehensive and rigorous as possible, make sure it comes with ACTP (Accredited Coach Training Program) certification.  This simply means that the ICF (International Coaching Federal) has certified its curriculum and ensures a quality training experience.

Live your best life!

Coach J

5 Ways to Find Inner Peace

So, here’s the scenario…you feel out of sorts with yourself, but can’t quite put your finger on why.  Your world is constantly spinning out of control and you would love to take a break and meditate.  Does this sound familiar?  I thought so!  Let me share a find that I’m sure you’ll find uplifting and enriching to your spirit.

Henrick Edberg provides 5 simple ways to discover inner peace in his online blog called The Positivity Blog!  This particular entry is aptly titled “How to Find Inner Peace: 5 Timeless Thoughts”.

Link to the 5 Timeless Thoughts:  http://www.positivityblog.com/index.php/2010/02/26/how-to-find-inner-peace-5-timeless-thoughts/

In addition to the 5 thoughts, Henrick also manages to weave in a couple quotes that can help refocus our priorities and reconnect us to our values and core beliefs.  Again, nothing earth shattering; just very basic, simple thoughts that bring clarity and balance to the challenges and stress that face us each day.

“He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe.”
Marcus Aurelius

“Possession of material riches, without inner peace, is like dying of thirst while bathing in a lake.”
Paramahansa Yogananda

And, here’s one of my personal favorites…

If there is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person. If there is beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the house. If there is harmony in the house, there will be peace in the nation. If there is peace in the nation, there will be peace in the world.

Chinese Proverb

My wish for each of you is that you find the inner peace and joy that you’ve been searching for, and that you live your best life!

Coach J

Take Time for Your Life - Review

In today's fast paced world, it has become increasingly difficult to carve out time for yourself and those you love, but doing so is extremely important. We are often pulled in so many directions and can easily lose sight of our values and true sense of self.  One book that has become a personal favorite and a regular read to ensure that I maintain balance in my life is Take Time for Your Life by Cheryl Richardson.  Cheryl is a life coach as well, and she really drives home the concept of "extreme self-care" throughout this book. Extreme self-care is a concept that involves looking at all aspects of your life and really focusing on how you gain more joy and fulfillment from your work, family and leisure time. Exercising extreme self-care involves removing any negative or draining obstacles from your life, and only allowing in elements that uplift your spirit and add more joy to your existence. Doesn't that sounds so refreshing? A life full of positive, energizing thoughts, work, and people. Who isn't longing for more of that in their lives?  If you've been feeling the need to stop, refocus, and balance yourself from the daily grind of life, I highly recommend you check out Take Time for Your Life.

Cheryl's book can be purchased via Amazon.com by clicking on the link below.


Enjoy...and take extreme care!
Coach J

Why not today?

Sunday is always a great day to catch up on those things you've been putting off all week (or possibly longer). It's usually the day we have the most amount of personal or leisure time as well. Why not combine the two and tackle your "to-do" list? You'll feel so much better when you can check a few tasks off!  We often don't realize how much space our subconscious task list is taking up in our head.  Everytime you walk past that closet that needs cleaning out or that basket full of laundry, you think about all things you still need to do, but haven't. The compounded stress that those little tasks create in your head can easily be relieved by simply doing one or two of them today. Now, I know many are planning their day around a certain football game that is taking place this evening, but there are several hours still pending before it begins.  Use your time wisely and productively - mark a few of those nagging errands you've been dreading off your list - you'll be so happy to have them behind you!

Be Observant....it's Amazing What You Take In!

One of my favorite past times is people watching. I love to sit in crowded places and watch people interact with one another. You learn so much about human nature and peoples values when you watch how they interact with strangers as well as loved ones.  I have long believed that you can learn far more about a person from their actions than their words.  Most humans have learned to conform to societal norms, so they have conditioned themselves to say what others want to hear - or what they believe is appropriate for the situation.  Our behavior tends to be more innate and not as conditioned to mask our true feelings. Today on a visit to Naperville, IL, I had the opportunity to visit several establishments that allowed me to observe patrons interacting with each others. I saw such things as kindness, caring, and generosity.  I also saw moments of anger, impatience and intolerance. I doubt that most of the people I observed were aware that so many others were watching their behavior. After all, most of them appeared to be quite immersed in discussions and personal conversations.  Studying your environment can provide a window into where society is headed and why.  It may act as both a mirror and a lesson every time you step out of your front door.  So, the next time your out for dinners with friends or family, running to your local big box store for a few supplies, or simply out walking the dog, take a moment to survey your environment.  I'm sure you'll return home with a new and different view of the world around you!

Oh...the weather outside is frightful...

The last 24 hours have been an amazing experience for a great majority of the country. The worst snow storm of the century roared across the country, blanketing everything it touched with thick layer of ice and snow. People were stranded, left without power, and absolutely chilled to the bone in its wake!  The landscape is certainly a sight to behold and a time to reflect on the power and beauty of mother nature. After all, we may never see such a storm again in our lifetime - and for many of us, that's a prayer we hope comes true!  As I spent 2 hours clearing my driveway this afternooon, I tried to stop from time to time to take in just how much snow had fallen in such a relatively short period of time.  Several times, I just stood in amazement of how large the piles were along my street. One thing I'm fairly certain of is that tomorrow I will certainly "feel" the effects of mother nature throughout my entire body.

Celebrate Today!

I have found that most people "live" for the weekend!  From the moment they wake up on Monday morning, they start thinking about the joy that Friday will bring. This isn't necessary a bad thing, because the reason most of us cherish our time on the weekend is because its usually when we have the free time available to do what uplifts and enriches our spirits. It's the time when we can relax by spend time with loved ones, take a walk in the park, check out a sporting event, take a hike in the woods or simply relax in the backyard on a hammock. Any of these choices are perfect, if its the option that recharges and balances your spirit. Celebrate today and make the most of it...this particular day will never be lived again!