The Dramatic Mind - Quick Response

Hey all of you who feel neglected by The Dramatic Mind - I think we'll have to shoot for September for that one - but in the meantime here are a couple of quick answers to some requests for reading recs for some interesting and fun summer reading. This is for you J and B - who have been emailing since the end of June for books to take along on vaca! Get ready for the fall workshops - they're going to be fun!!

Meanwhile - for any movie lovers who feel a bit guilty indulging quite as much as they do - keep indulging! Read this article and head thee to the movies! Love this article - thanks C.R. for emailing it to me.
It's from Media Life Magazine and it's Revealed: Secret Life of Moviegoers.


*For F and G who wanted books that tell about the other side of the movie business, the one you don't read about in Script Magazine check out these books about the film business -

*Bambi vs. Godzilla On the Nature, Purpose, and Practice of the Movie Business by David Mamet

*Hello, He Lied and Other Tales from the Hollywood Trenches by Lynda Obst

*Which Lie Did I Tell? and Adventures in the Screen Trade by William Goldman

*Z check out Writing in Flow by Susan Perry I think it might have some of the material you're looking for.

*A.N. thanks for the rec for Wanted. It was as you said. The editing was terrific and the story, when taken as a comic book one lots of fun. A bit of gore but comic booky as well.

*I've heard that The Playwright as Thinker: A Study of Drama in Modern Times by Eric Bentley is powerful and will be starting that one as soon as I get it (I couldn't find it in any bookstore in Manhattan so so much for an impulse-read-this-minute but it is available at Amazon) I love anything I've ever read by Bentley so am totally looking forward to this one as well.

As for the other side of creativity - the where it lives and comes from and why we can't always access it when and how we'd like... well, I'll post those later this was strictly some quick answers to some specific questions. Let me know what you think of the books or any recs you may have - I love 'em!

Enjoy!
RK
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Daily Life Consulting

Age of Riches - Challenges of $600-a-Session Patients - NY Times

The question "what do you think?" is usually a loaded question for me because I usually have a number of thoughts and opinions, sometimes contradicting, on issues.
So to J, M, C, and R who emailed me links to the article in the New York Times
Age of Riches - Challenges of $600-a-Session Patients morning with the question
"what do you think and how does it relate to coaching?" I say "I think a couple of things".

*The first thing I'll say is that therapy is not coaching, coaching is not therapy and coaching shouldn't be a substitute for therapy, if therapy is needed and therapy shouldn't take the place of coaching if coaching is needed. The article was about therapy so I will only address my thoughts to general ones about topics in the article that you had questions about.

*The second thing I have to say is that I'm a firm believer in getting any kind of assistance one needs in order to have the most satisfying life possible. That assistance could be coaching, therapy, whatever it is that's necessary.

*The third thing I'll say is that each individual regardless of their circumstance brings individual issues into a coaching relationship.

*Moving on to the fourth thing I had a problem with some of the language in the article. Whenever it's a group of people with one thing in common....well, it sets up generalities that actually relate to many people.

*I don't think "in it to win" is a negative description (that one's for J). That's a personal thought and of course it depends on the situation. I do believe in, and work with my clients to achieve, a level of enjoyment and satisfaction from working toward goals and achieving goals.

*I think that people working with coaches or therapists will probably know more about their area of expertise than their coach or therapist (unless they happen to be in the same field and even then....) (that one is for M). I've worked with people in finance, the music industry and musicians, business, the arts, writers, directors, producers, people in sales, marketing, doctors, lawyers, government officials and agencies, educators, scientists, students, grad applicants and on and on. In each case I learned about the person's area of expertise even if it was an area I was trained or involved in. That's one of the great things about working with people in different fields - the things you learn.


*Being aware of life, mortality and legacy can work to assist people in really defining and focusing on what they find meaningful in their lives and how they want to move forward. (That one's for you R)

C and the rest of the emailers who have lots of questions. I hope I addressed some of them here and the rest we'll figure out later.

Enjoy the day your way,
Rebecca Kiki
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Daily Life Consulting
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For more info on coaching or programs please call 646.468.0608 or email coach at dailylifeconsulting dot com

Motivation and Transition Coaching + Starbucks

Who knew so many of you were at your computers yesterday? Thanks for the emails and texts and thanks even for the kind words about orneriness (is that a word?) - I guess there is a time and place for everything. Moving right along I will say that I am feeling blog-casual this week - I guess I'm having casual-blogdays so I'll just put a couple of thoughts into this one blog and call it a hot-humid-Wednesday-in-the-city day.


Motivation and Transition Coaching This blog (Kick-Start Self Coaching) will soon be renamed "Motivation and Transition Coaching"
since that's what most of the content here has been. We'll be finding new ether-homes for the other topic areas including EtherThink and the others.

Creativity and Writing Coaching information will be on a soon-to-be-launched blog/site called "The Dramatic Mind" (I'm a dramatist by training and personality - what can I say?).

Workshops and Seminars will continue for all the topic areas in the fall, along with Daily Life Coaching 4 Kids workshops, seminars and groups. I'm putting together some really exciting programs and materials and I am really really excited about it.

In response to some of your questions about the materials - short answer - Yes! The materials provided are proprietary. As a program developer and educator by training and experience they are based on the work I do with clients, along with new and emerging research in all the fields covered.

In addition, this coming year we will begin coach and program training for people in the field (coaches, teachers, therapists, trainers, educators, facilitators) who would like some additional training in ME FIRST(TM) Coaching, FINDING FOCUS(TM) and Transition Coaching. I will also be offering Coaching Workshops on Burnout and Stress, two areas that are coming up a great deal lately.

Speaking of workplace stress and transitions. To all Starbucks employees who are being shifted, downsized, laid off or any other term you'd like to use - I'd like to offer some assistance in the way of a quick-pick-me-up. Since you've provided us with the energy to get through some awful mornings/times I'd like to return the favor. A quick-pick-me-up coaching session to help you get back on your feet. Please contact us at coach at dailylifeconsulting (please put "Starbucks" in the subject line) and receive one Grande-Moving-Forward Coaching session for $25.00. Whether you're there part-time, full-time, first job, transition-job, retirement job, writing the great american novel job or love-the-smell-of-fresh-brewed-coffee job you're eligible.

So everyone. Onward and upward as I always say. And of course....
Enjoy the day your way,
Rebecca (Kiki)
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Daily Life Consulting
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For more information about individual coaching, groups, workshops, seminars or talks, workshops and materials for your corporation, business or networking group please call 646.468.0608 or email coach at dailylifeconsulting dot com

Summer in the City + HopStop.com, AAA and Travel Agent approach to Coaching

Confession time. I love summer in the city. Not that I love the city in the summer. I just love how the city empties out. I'm figuring I can be a bit ornery here today since so many of you have skipped town for the week. Thanks. Here's how it is for me. I love the country, mountains, nature, trees, the outdoors, and all the rest of it. It might be because I'm originally from Vermont - I'm New English - or because I spent three months a year in the mountains every year from the time that I was zero until college. Or, I just love it. I prefer being outdoors to being indoors anytime. Whatever the case may be (again - I'm taking liberties here today because I figure most of you are on vaca) so what I try and do is make sure that I get to spend as much of every day as possible outside. I also love the city - I love the culture, the energy, the opportunities, but I can't stand it when it's too too crowded which is.....always. So what do I do? I stick around the city when everyone packs out and crowds the country and shore and I head out to the country and shore when everyone comes back.

So the thing is that different people like different things different ways, which is really the point of my work and my approach to it. What is it that you like? Want? How do you want it? What's the best way for you to get it? I had a terrific conversation yesterday with the wonderful writer/person/parent Gina Roberts-Grey and we talked about lots of things including the ins and outs of coaching for an article she's working on. (Check out her work and articles - you'll learn a lot!)

I tried to explain my approach to working with people and the different kinds of coaching different people need. With some clients it's the HopStop.com approach. Where are you? Where do you want to go? How much do you want to use transportation and how much are you willing to walk? The person knows where they are and where they want to get to, they just need some assistance with the logistics. So we map out a route and take it from there.

With some clients it's more of the AAA (American Automobile Association) approach. I'm here and I'd like to travel to there but I need a roadmap, some places along the way to stop, figure out the most scenic/quickest/fill in the ________ route. Should I use my car? Should I drive part of the way and take the train? Should I fly and ride? Should I rent a car at my destination? All of the details about the best way to do it for what the person would like.

With some clients it's more of the travel agent approach. Hmmmm, I know I need to get out of town but I have no idea where I'd like to go! Do I want a hot climate? Cold? How do I want to get there? How long do I want it to take? These are all the questions that come into play. That takes longer.

So the short answer to "what kind of coaching is best/would work for me/do I need?" is that it depends on what you want and what the best way is for you to get it.

Enjoy the day, wherever you are!!!!!!
Rebecca Kiki
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Daily Life Consulting
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For more information on individual or group coaching, workshops, seminars or coaching/education materials for your group or corporation (or just to say hi!) call 646.468.0608 or email me at coach at dailylifeconsulting.com

Eyes Bloodshot, Doctors Vent Their Discontent - NY Times

Thanks Mark for emailing the article to me. I told you you're not alone!
Great article in today's NY Times Eyes Bloodshot, Doctors Vent Their Discontent . The title says it all.

For all those doctors out there, and those of you working with me, like I said to Mark you are not alone in your feelings of frustration, discontent (and on and on). The good news is that you can make changes in your lives. It doesn't mean "giving up" and it doesn't mean "failure" or a host of other words with negative connotations. It means change.

Quick Start Questions for today/this week;
* What is working? (besides you...)
* What isn't working? (besides everything else...)
* What do you see as obstacles to making changes?
* How badly do you want to make a change?
* What are you willing to do in order to make the change?

Feel free to send me your thoughts and concerns at kiki at dailylifeconsulting dot com.

Enjoy the day your way (start writing your own prescription for that!)
Rebecca (Kiki)
Daily Life Consulting
For more information on coaching, workshops, seminars, classes and materials for your group or company please call 646.468.0608 or email coach at dailylifeconsulting dot com

Moving Out of the Midcareer Morass - Yahoo HotJobs

Yes. I'm here. May and June are loaded with workshops, seminars and groups (and new graduates!) so there's been less time for blog posts. Miss you though and thanks for the emails! I hope to be back to "regular" blogging soon. In the meantime -

Great article in Yahoo! HotJobs by Robert DiGiacomo Moving Out of the Midcareer Morass. Many of you are going through this particular situation now and although not easy or pleasant it can be a great turning point. In our work together many of you choose to use the circumstance as an opportunity. A way to change your life around for the better and to find a new direction, or rediscover a path not taken but wished for. I spoke with Rob about the particular issues facing midcareer job searchers. He asked great questions, has some great insights and thoughts, and wrote a terrific article about the topic.

Enjoy the day your way,
RK
Rebecca Kiki Weingarten M.Sc.Ed, MFA
Daily Life Consulting
For more information on coaching, workshops, seminars,groups and student rates call 646.468.0608
or email coach at dailylifeconsulting dot com

2-Session Turnaround (TM) Coaching

Many of you have been asking about our new 2-Session Turnaround(TM) Coaching What is it? How does it work? What's involved? What kinds of issues could I use it for?

I've also gotten questions about how and why I developed the 2-Session Turnaround(TM)Coaching Program. I'll answer that one first. In short - I wish I would have had this option when I was going through all the different phases of my career(s). If you read the topics I've included below I can tell you that I've gone through all of them myself. I've transitioned voluntarily and involuntarily. I've loved my work so much that I could barely sleep at night because I was so excited about the day to come. I've hated my work so much that there wasn't any amount of caffeine and sleep that could help me feel energized. I've loved some work situations but really couldn't stand the work environment. I've loved some work environments but couldn't stand the work involved. I've loved some bosses and really disliked others. I've loved some employees and really disliked others. I've been so burned out I was toast. I've been stressed. I've been unfocused. I've found focus. I've had to learn how to blend my creative life into the other parts of my life. I've had to learn how to manage work and life and synthesize the two to make life all it can be.

In short I've been there. Wherever. So when I work with clients and they talk about an issue, chances are there's a secret language and shorthand that we share. I've been there and worked through it. Now I want to help others do the same. As many people as I can because there is just no reason to feel miserable about work. There are too many other things in our lives that we can't control, why add to it?

I used my experience, my training in different areas and my skills as a program developer to develop the kinds of programs I wished I'd had when I needed them, and when I might need them in the future.

Make your life the best life it can be.

So here is some general information and if you'd like more details or information please feel free to call me at 646.468.0608 or email coach@dailylifeconsulting.com using "2-Session Turnaround" in the subject line.

Question:What is 2-Session Turnaround(TM) Coaching

Answer: 2-Session Turnaround(TM) Coaching is a very short term coaching solution to help you find some answers, direction, strategies and figure out what to do next.

Question: What kinds of issues could I work on in 2-Session Turnaround(TM) Coaching?

Answer: You name it!
Transitions - If you're making a job change for any reason whether voluntary or not, or if you'd like to explore options for making a change Transition Turnaround is for you.
Career and Work Choices and Shifts
Burnout
Stress Management
Time Management
Finding Focus - What do I want to be doing?
What Next? Are you at a crossroad in your life? Have you accomplished a goal and aren't sure what to do next? Are you contemplating the next phase of your career but aren't sure what that might be?
Creativity (Productivity and Blocks)
Writing (Productivity and Blocks)
ME FIRST (TM) Coaching
Work-Life Balance and Symmetry
Career and Focus Transitions for Writers
Career and Practice Transitions for Attorneys
Career and Practice Transitions for Doctors
Character and Script Analysis and Development
Question: How Does It Work?

Answer: 2-Session Turnaround(TM) Coaching takes place over the course of a month and works like this. It's very simple and straightforward.

*1 Coaching Session to begin the process.
*Follow-Up materials which match the area you're Turning Around.
*Email Communication available during weekday business hours for the two weeks until the next coaching session. These can be for questions, clarifications, yelps, "I did it!", "it worked!" or whatever you wish to communicate.
*2nd Coaching Session.
*More Follow-up Materials and Action Plan.
*Email Communication available during weekday business hours for the two weeks until the next coaching session. These can be for questions, clarifications, yelps, "I did it!", "it worked!" or whatever else you might wish to communicate.
*15 Minute Coaching follow-up session.

Very simple. 2-Session Turnaround(TM) Coaching gives you a chance to do just that. Find direction, discuss options with an objective, trained coach, discover new strategies and move ahead confidently. Please feel free to call or email with any questions or comments. (p)646.458.0608 or (e) coach at daily life consulting dot com (2-Session Turnaround in the subject line).

Enjoy the day your way,
RK
Rebecca Kiki Weingarten M.Sc.Ed, MFA
Daily Life Consulting