One of Those CrazyGood Weeks
There are times in your life - specific days or maybe even entire weeks - you will always remember. Weeks which are indelible, with so much happening, full of such a feeling of profound change.This past week was that kind of week for me.On Monday, I unveiled a new look for my website - MicheleWoodward.com - designed to make things simpler and easier for you to find and enjoy. To me, it's gorgeous, and powerful. Inviting. And just what I wanted, thanks to the talented Victoria Potts Keale, my Everything Web guru who pulled off an amazing feat in an incredibly short period of time.Because, you see, I had learned on Friday that The Wall Street Journal would be running a feature on my work with a client on Wednesday of the next week, and I wanted my site to be ready to handle the people who'd come to check me out. And, boy, they came by the boatloads. Folks signed up for the newsletter, sent me messages via email and LinkedIn, and said, "atta girl" profusely on Facebook and Twitter.The client, Becky Johnson, also received a lot of love from her friends, colleagues and even strangers, including a heartfelt phone call from a reader on the West Coast - just to say how inspired she'd been by Becky's journey.Although client confidentiality is in my marrow and I never disclose who I'm working with unless the client discloses first, when the WSJ reporter contacted me to see if I had a good story to tell about a client who made a career breakthrough after getting coached, I immediately thought of Becky. How thrilled was I that both she and her CEO, Lisa Gable, agreed immediately to participate. Their openness and generosity allowed thousands if not millions of people to see that there might be a new way to manage leadership growth within organizations. They saw Lisa and Becky's success and learned from it. Maybe they'll even model it.And, for the curious, all the work Becky and I did together consisted of five coaching sessions. Five. Hours. With some email thrown in there. Five hours and Becky got promoted to VP.For long time readers, you know I love being a coach. But having a story like Becky's out in public reminds me about why I deeply love this work. It's transformational. It's positive. It's powerful.And it works.Can you say that about your job?I sure wish you could. Wouldn't that be something?This busy past week I also interviewed Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Arkansas, retired), who was the youngest woman in history to be elected to the U.S. Senate. Blanche talked about how she ended up in public service, and how she managed to chair the Senate Agriculture Committee while raising twin toddlers. Seems we like to beat up on politicians these days, but listen to Blanche talk about her work with heart, and passion, and you'll understand her drive to serve - it's inspiring. Take a listen: WiseWork radio showThis week, too, I am launching my Annual Coaching Program for 2014. It's a rather novel approach to coaching - a deep dive into whatever you want to transform with all the coaching your schedule will allow. I tested the program with six clients this year, and I have to admit - the successes have been compelling. And amazing. And, once again, I am reminded how much I love what I do. Look at the information page for more details, and let me know if you have questions.And people have started using the 2014 Personal Planning Tool which is up and ready for your use. It's a downloadable pdf worksheet you can use to review 2013 and make a solid plan for what you want to accomplish in 2014. There's no charge for this 13-page tool - it's my gift to you.Because when I stop to think about my legacy and what I hope to create in the world, you figure prominently. I want you to have the success Becky's found. I want you to be clear, and confident, and visionary, and able to handle crisis. To step up and out, as needed. To make changes where changes will help you, and to have the clarity to go out and do the kind of work you can be proud of.It's a big vision, I know. But in my experience, utterly, entirely, totally doable.Let's get started.