Win Harper | Life and Leadership Coach

Last year I did the “Give Yourself an A” exercise.  Here is my year end evaluation.

“I got my “A” in 2009 because I knew what I wanted and I did it. 
I took care of myself physically.  I finally got down to 180 pounds and stayed there.  I worked out 3 to 4 times a week at the gym or I walked 4 – 8 miles, and I watched what I ate.”

No, I did not get down to 180 pounds.  I did walk 4 miles and went to the gym 2-3 times a week while we were in Mexico.  I watched my food intake and used an on-line calorie counter for 2 months,  Elizabeth and I have joined the local YMCA, and we go to Zumba exercise classes three times a week, and I occasionally go there to play basketball.  While I did not reach my weight goal, I learned about calories and got into better shape.

“Professionally, I took two coaching workshops, and participated in a biweekly “Coaching Roundtable” with Suzanne Damberg and Sandy Grove.  I listened to motivational and life coaching CDs and Podcasts, and read books and articles about life coaching and leadership.  I taught Life and Leadership coaching workshops at Aviana in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; at Journeys of Life in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and at the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies, in Rhinebeck, New York.  Elizabeth and I also co-facilitated our “Insight and Intuition” workshop at Omega in August.  I coached people one-on-one in person and on the telephone.”

I took a NonViolent Communications tele-seminar:  Coaching from the Heart.  In addition to reading most of Marshall Rosenberg’s books on Non-Violent Communications, I read Leadership and Self-deception and Irresistible Communications.  I now have my own Life Coach and I talk with other coaches at least twice a month.  I did a lot of teaching and coaching this year, and have improved my skills, especially my presence, my listening and my empathy. 

“I continued to learn more Spanish and now feel comfortable when talking with local Mexicans.”

We lived in Mexico for 6 months this past year, and while I did not attain fluency, my efforts to learn the language help me to connect to Spanish speakers more authentically.

“I reestablished my relationship with my daughter, Traci.”

This is an on going project in which I have made some unilateral progress.  My studying of NVC and reading of “Leadership and Self-Deception” has given me insights into how the relationship got to where it is, and ways to re-establish a connection.  I have also been talking with my Life Coach about this issue.

“Elizabeth and I grew closer.  Our commitment to each other and to our work together deepened our mutual understanding, and we have become better as a couple, and as teachers and healers.”

Our building of a home in Canandaigua and our teaching together have been exciting and bonding.  We developed a new session together called:  Future Gifts for the Present Moment. We are establishing ourselves in the local community and are settling down.  Through this process we have become closer.

“In 2009, I liberated myself from my fears: my fear of success, my fear of failure, and my fear of simply being myself.  By consciously choosing to be the observer and participant in my life, I was able to “be, here, now.”  That allowed me to listen better, to be more curious, and to trust myself in the moment.  I became more comfortable being me, and therefore a better partner in all of my relationships.”

This is an area where I feel I really earned my A.  All the work I mentioned in the previous paragraphs; the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual growth this year has been the basis of who I am as a person.  I am more authentic because I know and trust myself more, and I have better communication skills.

“This past year I realized What’s Important Now for me, and I became a kinder, gentler person.  With this renewed sense of self, I began to see opportunities in situations where previously I only looked for solutions.  I chose to move towards what I wanted rather than choosing to move away from what I didn’t want.”

YES!

“In 2009, I focused on living and doing what I believe and teach, and in the process I lived a more authentic and fulfilled life. Knowing and honoring my values and living my life purpose helped me to make a difference in my life and in the lives of others.”

With my efforts this year, I have become a better person.  There is still plenty of room for growth, and this week I am going to do the “Give Yourself an A” exercise for 2010.

“I worked hard for my “A” and I am proud of what I have accomplished and who I have become this year.” 

Another big YES!

How did you do?  Who are you today?  For those of you who did the exercise in 2009, I would love to read your self- evaluation.  Those of you who want to do the exercise for 2010, please contact me through my website and I will email it to you.