Joan C. Webb
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Life Coaching
    • Life Coaching Brochure
    • What Others Say about Life Coaching
    • LifePlan Brochure
  • Spiritual Direction
  • Intentional Woman
    • The Intentional Woman Mission/Vision
    • The Intentional Woman Authors
    • IW LifePlan
  • Freebies
  • Joan's Promo Page
  • What Others Say about Joan's Speaking/Teaching
  • Books
    • Nourishment for New Moms
    • The Intentional Woman
    • The Relief of Imperfection
    • It's a Wonderful (Imperfect) Life
    • Everyday Wisdom
    • Devotions for Little Boys and Girls
    • Meditations for Christians Who Try to Be Perfect
    • Joan's Writing Contributions
  • Connect with Joan
    • About Joan
    • Listen to Joan

   Joan's BLOG

How I Started Life Coaching

5/26/2010

0 Comments

 
Early one morning as a man walked along the beach, he saw an unusual scene. Thousands of starfish that had washed up on shore were dying in the sun. In the distance he noticed a young woman picking up starfish and throwing them back into the ocean, one at a time. When he came close enough to her to be heard above the waves he said, “You’re wasting your time. There are thousands of starfish along this beach front. You can’t possibly make a difference.”

She reached down, picked up a starfish, and gently threw it as far as she could, back into the sea. “I made a significant difference to that one, didn’t I?” as she reached down to pick up another.

That’s how I feel about being a Life Coach. Coaching works. One person at a time. One changed life at a time.  In 1998, I traveled from St. Paul, Minnesota to visit my married daughter in Chicago, Illinois. One evening, so she didn’t have to alter her plans, I agreed to go with her to a meeting of small business owners.

That night the speaker was a Personal and Professional Life coach. She talked about how life coaching helps people to live more effective and joyful lives. She discussed how people sabotage themselves and stay stuck. 
Then she asked us all several questions:

  1. What is the benefit in not knowing about your sabotaging methods?
  2. How do your “but, but, but” responses protect you–and from what?
  3. What is the next most important step you need to take?
  4. Are the excuses you tell yourself (and others) true?
  5. And when one of the people in the group responded to a question with “I don’t know” she said, “What would your answer be if you did know.
I was fascinated. It’s like a voice inside me whispered, “This fits you, Joan.” While sitting there that day, I remembered the on-purpose statement God and I had been working on: I, Joan C. Webb, empowered by my growing friendship with the Triune God, help set people free.”

Soon after that serendipity meeting, I took coaches training and started with one client (I call each client a “coaching partner.”) Twelve years and hundreds of coaching hours later, I remain amazed about how the coaching process works. Life Coaching is a professional relationship that enhances the coachee’s ability to effectively focus on learning, making changes, achieving results and experiencing fulfillment–as the person God created him/her to be.

Have any of you experienced working with a Life Coach? What was it like for you?

Perhaps I’ll write more about the rewards of life coaching later.

0 Comments

FREE Burnout Questionnaire

5/19/2010

0 Comments

 
You Flirting with Action Addiction & Burnout?

Have you dreamed of slowing down, but keep hearing your internal-bully whisper “There’s no stinkin’ way you can do that!”

Perhaps you’re one of many in service-related careers or ministries who are on the fast track to burnout. (Just in case you wondering, here’s a good definition of burnout. Burnout is the type of stress and emotional fatigue that occurs when a series of (or combination of) events in a relationship, mission, way of life or job fail to produce an expected result.)

Awareness is an important step in changing this self-defeating lifestyle of overworking, overdoing, over-helping and over-committing. The following questionnaire can help you identify your need:

  • Do you have a difficult time relaxing?
  • Are you crankier than you used to be–even though you try hard to keep it to yourself?
  • Do you rush from one project to another?
  • Are you tired on an ongoing basis?
  • Do you feel increasingly depressed, anxious or hopeless?
  • Are you increasingly angry and don’t know why?
  • Do you spend less time with friends and family or in doing what you previously enjoyed?
  • Do you work hard and long, but accomplish less?
  • Is life (and/or your ministry) becoming a drag?
If you answered “yes” to several of these, you may be headed in the opposite direction of real life. I know the prospect of changing is frightening and overwhelming, yet, there is a way. Really.

There is HOPE.

You can admit your need, ask God for guidance and insight, seek help and resources, and then take active steps to reshape your thoughts and behavior. It sounds like a lot. Yet, that first step is all you need right now.

Show someone you love (preferably a healthy, supportive person!) your responses to this questionnaire. And then don’t back down. God honors truth-telling–even if that truth (the reality facing you) feels negative.

THERE IS LIFE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF BURNOUT. 

0 Comments

Mom, Tell Jesus Hi for Me

5/10/2010

0 Comments

 
Picture
My mother (who I always thought looked like a movie star!) suffered repeated TIAs (transient ischemic attacks, or “mini strokes”)1 and lost her sight, hearing, reasoning and ability to talk. I hated what was happening to her. Then that dreaded call: “She’s dying. Come.” On Mother’s fourth night at the hospital, my daughter, Lynnette, joined me.

Aunt Aileen & Mom as she was losing her sight

“I wonder if Aunt Aileen will run to meet Grandma,” said Lynnette.Mother and Aileen, who died previous year, loved being sisters. While we chatted about heaven, mom’s breathing turned more erratic. We watched her leave us. Kissing her cheek, I whispered, “This is Joanie, Mom. I love you. Tell Jesus hi for me.” (For years, she had asked me to say hi to my friends each time I left the house.) Stroking her thinning white hair, I recalled how, as a child, I had combed her thick black locks. Lynnette wiped the lips that had often whispered, “Honey, you’re special.”

Good-bye, Momma!

Death’s messiness didn’t terrify us as we imagined it would. Still, for weeks I tried to make sense of my emotions. Happy because life’s disappointment and anger didn’t matter to Mom anymore, I questioned the sad injustice of her disease and death too soon. One day God reassured me, “Joan, in that sterile hospital room, I sent angels to carry your mother to her Savior. You stood on holy ground” (see Acts 7:33).

Mom’s debilitating disease, premature death and my own struggle with grief remind me of my flawed reality. Yet on this Mother’s Day 2010, God’s hope guarantees me life beyond the inequity and loss I feel.*

What loss are you feeling this Mother’s Day season? What hope have you found?


0 Comments

IMPORTANT: YOU are needed for NEW MOMS book!

5/5/2010

0 Comments

 
Picture
  • I’m writing a NEW MOM book and I’d love your input. Your stories and tips can help another NEW MOM.
  • Joan as New Mom with Baby Rich

    Thanks to you who already gave me great stories. I have room for more. Need stories by June 1 unless otherwise indicated below. THX!

  • I know you’re busy. Let’s make this SIMPLE. Comment below or send me a message on Facebook. You don’t have to write a perfect (or even half-perfect) story. Just give me bullet points if you want to.
  • Here’s the next 8 chapters/topics. I need stories, tips, ideas, resources, Bible verses, quotes, jokes, funny experiences that answer the following questions. You can respond to none, 1, 2, or all these Q’s!
1.    Chapter 1: (already completed)

2.    Chapter 2: About how life changes. As a NEW MOM how did your life change? What surprised you? Who or want helped you adjust to your new life? Need these by May 10.

3.    Chapter 3: About the myriad of necessary decisions. As a NEW MOM what decisions were you faced with? Ex. When/if go back to work? Breast or bottle? What car seat? Babysitters? Feeding schedule? To let baby cry or not? How did you choose? Need these by May 17.

4. Chapter 4: About sleeplessness and foggy thinking. As a NEW MOM how did fatigue & sleeplessness affect you? What helped? What hindered? Need these by May 20.

5.    Chapter 5: About daddies and your relationship with them. As a NEW MOM, how did you and your husband find time to connect? Stories, tips, cautions?

6.      Chapter 6: About dealing with your emotions and body changes. As a NEW MOM, how did you deal with fluctuating emotions, body changes, weight loss/gain? Crying jags? Postpartum blues? Depression?

7.    Chapter 7: About how TIME changes for you during this pre-occupying time. As a NEW MOM, what happened to your schedule, time management? You structured? Flexible? Bothered by Time? Stories, tips.

8. Chapter 8: About how your definition of LOVE changes. As a NEW MOM, how was your concept of LOVE challenged, changed? What did you anticipate you’d feel? What DID you feel? Stories, tips, resources, advice. Scripture.

9. Chapter 9: About any unrealistic expectations you, your family, friends, the church or  society places on you. As a new mom, what unreasonable expectations did you have for yourself, your baby or your family? How did you try too hard to make it all just right? Stories, tips, scripture, helps, solutions?



I will not be using your full names. And will need a signed permission sheet (which I can send to you) if I use your first name or tell your story with the details you give me. I may do composite stories. Thanks for being cool with all this. Let me know if you have questions.

Relief to you today,

Joan

P.S. Yes, I know the numbers are different sizes and colors. Oh, well. A little “relief of imperfection” here!

P.P.S. Yes, you can pass this request to other MOMS who you think may have good stories/tips to share. We’re all in this to help other MOMS.

P.P.P.S. Sorry, but because this is a WORK FOR HIRE writing project, I cannot compensate you or give you a copy of the book. I will let you know when it comes out, however. And I think the book will only cost (retail) $7.99. So that’s good!


0 Comments
    Picture

    Joan C. Webb

    Writing, teaching, coaching to empower and set free.
    Joan is an inspirational speaker, Bible teacher, Life Coach, and author of 13 books including It's a Wonderful (Imperfect) Life, The Relief of Imperfection, The Intentional Woman. She does consulting, as well as Life Coaching, for writers, speakers, ministry leaders and entrepreneurs.

    Connect with Joan.  

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Bible/Scripture
    Bible/Scripture
    Books/Reading
    Christmas
    Easter
    God/Faith
    God/Faith
    Gratitude/Thanksgiving
    Gratitude/Thanksgiving
    Health/Disease/Healing
    Helpwell Being5b82e02159
    Helpwellbeingd0a8f36645
    Holy Spirit
    Hope
    Intentional Living
    Intentional Woman
    Jesus
    Leadership
    Life Coaching
    Love
    Marriage
    Motherhood
    Overwhelmed/Overworked
    Parenting/Children
    Patriotism/Country
    People Pleasing
    People-pleasing
    Perfectionism
    Prayer
    Relief Of Imperfection
    Retreat/Rest
    Self Help/Well Being
    Self Help/Well Being
    Stress
    Work
    Writing

    Archives

    April 2020
    May 2017
    February 2016
    May 2015
    February 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    August 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009
    May 2009
    April 2009
    March 2009
    February 2009
    January 2009
    December 2008
    November 2008
    September 2008
    April 2008
    March 2008
    February 2008
    January 2008
    December 2007
    November 2007
    August 2006

"Are you tired? Come to me. ...Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
​Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30)

Interact with Joan

About Joan
Connect
Books
Listen to Joan
Photos used with permission from Future Photo Group

Copyright 2019 Joan C. Webb

Free Resources

Relief of Imperfection Chart
Wheel of Life Inventory
Feelings Chart
Coaching and Mentoring

Life Coaching

Tell Me about Life Coaching
What Others Say

Intentional Woman

IW LifePlan
IW 5-Step Process
Picture
Photos used under Creative Commons from edenpictures, Renee Silverman, whologwhy, Jaime Olmo, Monkey Mash Button, peasap, Thomás, flik, Evil Erin, kennethkonica, JLStricklin, marioanima, jubileelewis, tswicegood, fhwrdh, Irwin-Scott, raymond_zoller, xindilo, Kumaravel, Tucker Sherman, h.koppdelaney, torbakhopper, Thomas Rousing, Patrick Hoesly, Sharon Mollerus, Por mi tripa..., Parker Knight, analogophile, JD Hancock, marimbajlamesa, ellyn., Nathan O'Nions, jessleecuizon, ZiarciRose, Alan Cleaver, BékiPe, kevin dooley, libertygrace0, Ryk Neethling, LadyDragonflyCC *TY for 500,000 views! *, Leonid Mamchenkov, Danielle Scott, GabrielaP93
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Life Coaching
    • Life Coaching Brochure
    • What Others Say about Life Coaching
    • LifePlan Brochure
  • Spiritual Direction
  • Intentional Woman
    • The Intentional Woman Mission/Vision
    • The Intentional Woman Authors
    • IW LifePlan
  • Freebies
  • Joan's Promo Page
  • What Others Say about Joan's Speaking/Teaching
  • Books
    • Nourishment for New Moms
    • The Intentional Woman
    • The Relief of Imperfection
    • It's a Wonderful (Imperfect) Life
    • Everyday Wisdom
    • Devotions for Little Boys and Girls
    • Meditations for Christians Who Try to Be Perfect
    • Joan's Writing Contributions
  • Connect with Joan
    • About Joan
    • Listen to Joan