the process and candidates
Aim to Be offers participants a coaching session (not counseling) that initially lasts 4 - 6 hours. This coaching is fully customized to meet individual needs in getting to the point where he/she Aim to Be, using the Aim to Be framework. Participants have ranged in age from 8 to 80. Few are too young and no one is too old to grow from defining his/her Vision and being coached in managing their Energy, Values and Choices in order to reach it!
How is this different from counseling?
The initial coaching session involves a minimum of 4 - 6 hours of in-depth personalized one-on-one coaching. The first hour of coaching is given to ensure the participant is fully willing to participate through this process. Follow-up sessions are typically more than an hour, in order to identify and resolve needs and issues that are impairing one’s Vision. Research-based therapy techniques may be used when deemed appropriate, but within the coaching model that provides support throughout the process, rather than constrained to traditional 1-hour-per-week time frames.
What is unique about this process?
Each client directs the session according to what is needed. The cornerstone for all coaching is Vision, with the focus on the question: Are you “on” or “off” your Vision? From here, your Aim to Be coach uses your own personality profile, wants, needs and goals to break through the roadblocks of what has kept you from reaching your personal Point B. You get a personalized plan and gain an in-depth awareness of behaviors that can make or break your Vision.
No matter where your Point A is, there is always a Point B. Aim to Be coaching helps identify that personal Point B, and gives you the practical tools to get there. Many times individuals get stuck in ruts of where they are within their comfort zone. This makes it impossible to achieve new goals. Aim to Be Coaching identifies these ruts, their comfort zones, and the goals which can never be reached without thinking differently. Everyone functions within his/her comfort zone, but you have to leave that zone - and know how to leave that zone - to get to your personal Point B.
What types of clients do you coach?
This model coaching process is a good fit for individuals in high school, college, young adults and any point in adulthood. All clients are guided to understand and embrace their Vision, and to acquire tools to direct their Energy, Values and Choices to be in alignment with it. The process is customized for each client to support his/her priority goals.
This addresses age-appropriate needs and challenges that may include:
managing studying processes and peer pressure;
living better within family structures;
defining career goals and receiving support in the job search process;
identifying ways to simplify a busy life that drains too much energy;
improving relationships with partners, parents, children and friends; and
developing skills/understanding tools needed to manage the life you want in order to support your Vision daily.
The process targets:
elementary/middle school students;*
high school students;**
college students;**
post-college/career adults;
individuals struggling to live the life they want; and
couples struggling to manage their relationship while balancing work, home and children.***
*The coaching process for elementary and middle school students is specifically designed according to the issues the child is experiencing and his/her age. This will included shortened sessions and higher parent involvement.
**The coaching process for high school and college students may include parents at appropriate junctures to ensure accountability and progress toward the student’s Vision.
***For couples, some sessions will take place with each partner separately. Other sessions will bring both partners together to work jointly.
Do you work with clients who carry significant darkness?
Yes! Individuals with oversize "Dark Chip" energy should strongly consider entering the Aim to Be Coaching process. Part of the coaching process involves delving into the "engine" that some people carry that amplifies their internal dark voices. This "engine" is comprised primarily of adverse childhood events, trauma, and personal and family mental health history. One or more - and sometimes all - tend to be present in those who feel burdened by their darkness. The coaching process is designed to allow clients to truly break free from their destructive energy's "engine" and find a healthy path to overcoming darkness.
Symptoms of oversize "Dark Chip" energy that indicate someone who would benefit from coaching include:
High anxiety
Depression
Sleeplessness
Lack of interests
Inability to complete tasks
Isolation
Obsessiveness
Relationship challenges
Rage, anger
Feeling unworthy
Addiction, including but not limited to drugs, alcohol and/or pornography
Suicidal thoughts
When a person is experiencing any of the symptoms above is when it is most critical to receive coaching support. These are “all hands on deck” signs - and when someone needs help, they need time and care. This means having time with a mental health professional beyond the standard weekly hourly allotment to dig deeply to uncover the sources of pain and work through them. The gift of Aim to Be Coaching is that this time and reliable care are provided.
What support is offered to parents of teens and pre-teens in the Aim to Be process?
Aim to Be breaks the cycle of talking through a teen’s “Anti-Parent-Perspirant” shield to ensure a mutual understanding and respect for the young person’s Vision. Parents are involved in their child’s process from start to finish, which concludes with their child presenting the Vision and plan that has been created through the Aim to Be coaching process. Parents will be a part of understanding their Vision, their Energy with input on " Chip" energies, and with validating their child's DiSC Personal Profile.
Teens tend to resent the concept of counseling by declaring: “There is nothing wrong with me!” They realize that coaching allows them to simply improve on who they are; they are more open to the process. At the beginning of a session, each client is told there is a one-hour stopping point where permanently stopping is an option. To date, no one has ever chosen to stop. Because this process centers around the participant’s personality and individual wants and goals, teenagers “buy in” because it’s about them; they are fully engaged throughout the process in making the plans to achieve their Vision.
What do I get out of the process?
Each client will develop a meaningful Vision Board and a written summary of his or her Vision. Each participant will have a written summary of his or her DiSC Personal Profile with noted strengths and limits. Every person also will have a pie chart of Values developed through the coaching process. Each session begins with a clear mutual understanding of the Energy circles: Parent Chip, Dark Chip and Light Chip. Participants receive an updated summary and action steps to help move forward following each session. Clients may get additional tangible tools out of the process as well depending upon each person’s exact needs.
Most of all, you get movement toward your personal Point B! You will learn invaluable tools to manage your Energy, your Choices and your Values to allow you the freedom and the skills to live the life you want to be living.
How long is this process?
There is no simple answer to this question; it fully depends on the challenges and needs each person brings to the process. The key is that we partner together to ensure the participant is moving toward living “on” Vision - that is, living the life you desire and removing barriers that impair it. What is unique is that the initial session tends to be 4 - 6 hours. That session will determine the length and number of needed follow-up sessions in order to ensure living a Vision-based life.
How do you mark your success?
This process partners with each candidate to ensure measured results. At the end of each session, we identify set goals and action items to work on for the next session. Each session begins with reviewing the work completed and progress made. In this way, each client has a clear understanding of what is to be accomplished, with clearly defined tasks to move closer to one’s Vision following the session.
Candidates are expected to put in the work required between sessions to continue making progress. The gift to each client is that there is an accountability with the coach to make progress.
Can Aim to Be help me overcome significant mistakes?
Absolutely! For every "A", there is a "B"!
For adults, Aim to Be identifies the patterns that led to the mistakes, and creates awareness to reduce or avoid them.
For teens, it creates a mutual accountability between them and their parents to achieve the actionable plan aimed at achieving a positive, productive, and peaceful Point B.