In 2003 I founded Dao Coaching based on my desire to help others with their own personal transformation. While it was more than 2500 years ago that the Greek philosopher Heraclitus said 'the only thing that is constant is change,' this paradox has never been more in evidence than today. In our society we are on the cusp of major change, and I believe this is being driven by the evolution of our consciousness as individuals. The symbol for Dao Coaching resembles the yin/yang symbol of Daoism, as an acknowledgment that we live in a dualistic world, where opposing forces such as love/fear and reason/intuition are always at play with each other to cause change. Within the symbol it is possible to discern the dividing line as a staircase that is going up, representing the Western value of linear progress, captured within a round lens which represents the Eastern idea of the circularity of all things. Bringing together opposing ideas from Eastern and Western thought provides a context to move beyond a reactive life and awaken to the reality that we are truly creators of our lives and our world. 

 I believe there is a part of each one of us, which I call the Dao Self, that seeks out and welcomes growth and change, and another part, the Ego Self, that fights to keep things the same.  The Dao Self is our true self, our light, our connection to the abundance of the universe. Our Ego Self is our false self, our darkness, our belief in our separateness. Our Ego Self convinces us that we are threatened and must protect ourselves. It makes us take ourselves too seriously. If the Ego Self is in charge, we will wait for change to take us by surprise and bowl us over. If the Dao Self is in charge in our lives we become active participants in our own transformation. In business, this is called staying ahead of the curve; in life, it is being in flow with the calling of our deepest desires. The coaching conversation allows this flow to be more present in our lives. 

What is Coaching? Coaching is an ongoing conversation that supports change. Whether it be to help deal with unforeseen changes or to work towards new goals, a coaching relationship is one of the most effective means. When we resist change, it is like continuing to dress for summer in the hopes that winter will be stalled: eventually it leads to illness. Relationships die when change does not play an active role. Businesses need to change to avoid becoming obsolete. The coaching conversation serves to identify obstacles along the path of change, bring clarity to the real goals, and help move clients towards realizing them. 

Coaching does not bring set procedures to follow. It embraces the uniqueness of individuals and situations, and fully involves the client in a co-creation of action. And, perhaps most importantly, it holds clients accountable for actions they have committed to. Through coaching, clients gain a deeper sense of the personal responsibility they have to move their lives forward. In a typical one-on-one relationship, a coach will meet with a client for an initial intake session where the coach will come to know many facets of the client in greater detail, including their values, strengths, challenges, and long-term goals. Subsequent regular meetings over the course of three months or longer will be held with an awareness of the big picture, the long-term goal the client has come to coaching to achieve. The goal may or may not change over the course of the coaching relationship, but what remains the same is the space provided to the client for their ongoing exploration, discovery, creativity and commitments. Coaching workshops provide groups and organizations with a chance to experience the power and possibility brought on through the coaching conversation.

Certainly personal transformation can be intimidating and risky. But as Helen Keller reminded us,  "Life is a daring adventure or it is nothing." Dao Coaching stands ready to assist clients who are motivated to discover and experience the unique adventure that is their life.  

Coaching Rates.    One-on-One Regular (12-week) Session: $540    One-on-One Mini (6-week) Session: $300    Corporate coaching/workshops: T.B.D. by requirements