Anyone ever use a Life Coach?

[gsganzer]

I've been in a funk lately and I'm trying to get myself back on track. I'm not depressed, just sort of at a crossroads of options and trying to figure out how to jump start my motivation.

Last year was a record year for my business, but the travel took a toll on me with over 265 days in hotels. It was hard, stressful and ultimately lead to a cardiac scare that turned out to be stress/diet/lifestyle induced. The weird part is you get addicted to the cycle of stress and the victory of overcoming crappy situations/problems.

This year, work started slow, which was fine for me at first, but I think the idle hands/mind are something that's beginning to grate on me. I started out the year exercising, losing 20+ lbs, eating healthy and getting ready for our family vacation to Africa a few weeks ago. Now that the vacation is over, I need to get rolling again, but my motivation is now non-existent. I think part of it is I'm afraid I'll get myself right back into the same stress/overworked predicament I was into last year.

But there are definitely some things I need to do. I need to get working on my company website so I can court some new customers, broaden my customer base, giving me some more stability and allowing me to be pickier on the type of jobs I take. I need to get back to the gym and take control of my health. And I need to get my wife and me back on track for our retirement goals so we can transition to retirement in the coming years (just turned 57 2 days ago). I just lack any motivation to do so. Financially we're still fine, but she quit working 18 months ago and seems to be in the same funk I'm in, with no motivation to go back to work. I'm sure part of it is mid-life crisis and the realization that our nest is about to be empty with our youngest a HS senior. Part of it is we're tired of the rat race and the current work/political climate. Maybe we're feeling the same malaise that has made so many drop out of the workforce?

So, I'm wondering if I should try a life coach for a little bit? I just need someone that can help break things down into small pieces and push me until my flame relights with a clearer path of what I want to do.

Anyone ever use a life coach or have some suggestions?

 

[workinonit]

Never used a life coach nor hope I never need to. Heck, I don't even know where I would find such a person. But, happy birthday!! I had a birthday on the 11th as well. I was 65. I too travel extensively for work and I can say there is zero glamor in it. I encounter people all the time that tell me how much they love to travel only to find out they take a trip or two a year. That ain't traveling. I was doing 150,000 miles a year until a few years ago and like you in a hotel 200 plus nights a year. That alone is enough to need a psychologist.

 

[ultrarunner]

Probably more common than you might think and the pandemic is still taking a toll motivating more to rethink what is important in life.

As to life coach I know a few that have used and in my view from the sidelines in simplest terms the process is a way to give yourself permission to take control.

Several of my friends… mostly ex career military are happy as can be as ex-pats to the point of a new lease on life… remains to be seen long term but some have around ten years in.

 

[MossRoad]

Never hurts to talk to someone.

 

[Snobdds]

Here is what I've learned...

Business travel sucks. I avoid it like the plague. There is nothing romantic about it. It's tiring and so unnecessary in todays world. I have two major business travel things I have to do each year, the rest I let someone else do.

Be replaceable. Don't ever get into a place where you are the only one capable of doing something. You want to be able to tell someone, take care of it and not have a second thought that something won't get done.

Hire people that are better than you are. Never strive to be the best, strive to have your team be the best collectively.

It's ok to say, we'll do it tomorrow.

 

[Torvy]

I thought TBN was a life coach!

 

[gsganzer]

I thought TBN was a life coach!

I've certainly used it solve a number of non-tractor related issues over the years! Always some good input and feedback from the TBN crew on whatever question you ask.

 

[RjCorazza]

I'm sure there are some good Life Coaches out there, but I would be hesitant to talk to just anyone that claimed to be one. If you can get over the terminology, perhaps a better option would be to chat with a licenced therapist / social worker to get yourself back on track.

 

[Sigarms]

I've been in a funk lately and I'm trying to get myself back on track. I'm not depressed, just sort of at a crossroads of options and trying to figure out how to jump start my motivation.

Last year was a record year for my business, but the travel took a toll on me with over 265 days in hotels. It was hard, stressful and ultimately lead to a cardiac scare that turned out to be stress/diet/lifestyle induced. The weird part is you get addicted to the cycle of stress and the victory of overcoming crappy situations/problems.

This year, work started slow, which was fine for me at first, but I think the idle hands/mind are something that's beginning to grate on me. I started out the year exercising, losing 20+ lbs, eating healthy and getting ready for our family vacation to Africa a few weeks ago. Now that the vacation is over, I need to get rolling again, but my motivation is now non-existent. I think part of it is I'm afraid I'll get myself right back into the same stress/overworked predicament I was into last year.

But there are definitely some things I need to do. I need to get working on my company website so I can court some new customers, broaden my customer base, giving me some more stability and allowing me to be pickier on the type of jobs I take. I need to get back to the gym and take control of my health. And I need to get my wife and me back on track for our retirement goals so we can transition to retirement in the coming years (just turned 57 2 days ago). I just lack any motivation to do so. Financially we're still fine, but she quit working 18 months ago and seems to be in the same funk I'm in, with no motivation to go back to work. I'm sure part of it is mid-life crisis and the realization that our nest is about to be empty with our youngest a HS senior. Part of it is we're tired of the rat race and the current work/political climate. Maybe we're feeling the same malaise that has made so many drop out of the workforce?

So, I'm wondering if I should try a life coach for a little bit? I just need someone that can help break things down into small pieces and push me until my flame relights with a clearer path of what I want to do.

Anyone ever use a life coach or have some suggestions?

I'm wondering if you actually need a life coach or perhaps a business consultant?

Travel for work sucks, particularly if you have a family, no way around that. When I was single, tell me where you want me to go, and I'll be there. It helped me advance in my career, but after I got married in my late 30's, bought a house and work around the house, I've found I don't really like to travel for work anymore out of state that requires air travel. My boss was just asking me if I wanted to go to Houston, and I found myself saying that I'd prefer not to and see if he can send someone else.

I know nothing about your business, but is there any chance for what you would end up paying for a life coach, if you hired someone you could trust to do your traveling to free you up on the home-front for work?

I've always found any type of consultant to be interesting when a business deals with them. For some reason people think that the more they pay for a consultant, the better advice they get. I scratch my head because I've seen first hand that this is always not the case. My old boss had a life coach. Perhaps it was just me, but they seemed to be too much like a cheerleader.

Honestly, 265 days out of a year in a hotel for work while you're married, and I honestly think any man who had a good family would be in a funk spending that much time away from "home". That's just me.

 

[bmg88201]

I use GOD as my life coach. No appointment needed.

 

[Yander]

I understand the addiction to the chaos and the thrill of pulling out of it. I was a consultant project manager for about 7 years. I didn't travel but I got to get placed in a various number of companies that put a lot of pressure on you delivering their project. It sort of got a high from it because I figured out I was pretty good at it.

Not good at too many things but working with and alongside people and motivating them was a gift. Probably from my mother.

Now I'm on a large project that is going so smoothly I don't know what to do with myself and I told my boss last week. People who haven't gone through that won't understand. I was going through some funk for about the past year and finally started self talking myself out of it in the past few weeks.

What helps me? Making a list in my head or a physical list of all of the things I have to be thankful for, and they are many! Realizing their are people out there that really do need help in every way, shape and form.

Learning that I don't have to fix everything (hard one for me) as @Snobdds said, it will be there tomorrow. I try to prioritize the things that really do matter and manage the people around me who try to give me my priorities. I put them in their lane, so to speak. It creates anxiety for them when I don't drop everything for them. Not my issue. I will get to it, just when it is time.

Take time to do the things you won't be able to do for long. Kids, grandkids and family in general. They won't be there forever.

Take time to smell some of the roses you have created with your efforts. I'm also on some meds that have helped me.

Wellbutrin 300mg.​

I quit drinking two years ago and it has made a huge impact in my life. I have been able to talk some others through some of those hard times. We actually do it for one another.

You need to find a friend you can trust to vent to besides your wife. Someone who will tell you what you need to hear, not always what you want to hear. Better than gold to have a friend like that, I happen to have one.

Never used a life coach but wouldn't dismiss it either.

 

[Citydude]

There is no shame in seeing a trained therapist. Life coaches in my opinion, are not qualified to unpack life's bumpy rollercoaster ride.

 

[Dftodd]

I understand the addiction to the chaos and the thrill of pulling out of it. I was a consultant project manager for about 7 years. I didn't travel but I got to get placed in a various number of companies that put a lot of pressure on you delivering their project. It sort of got a high from it because I figured out I was pretty good at it.

Not good at too many things but working with and alongside people and motivating them was a gift. Probably from my mother.

Now I'm on a large project that is going so smoothly I don't know what to do with myself and I told my boss last week. People who haven't gone through that won't understand. I was going through some funk for about the past year and finally started self talking myself out of it in the past few weeks.

What helps me? Making a list in my head or a physical list of all of the things I have to be thankful for, and they are many! Realizing their are people out there that really do need help in every way, shape and form.

Learning that I don't have to fix everything (hard one for me) as @Snobdds said, it will be there tomorrow. I try to prioritize the things that really do matter and manage the people around me who try to give me my priorities. I put them in their lane, so to speak. It creates anxiety for them when I don't drop everything for them. Not my issue. I will get to it, just when it is time.

Take time to do the things you won't be able to do for long. Kids, grandkids and family in general. They won't be there forever.

Take time to smell some of the roses you have created with your efforts. I'm also on some meds that have helped me.

Wellbutrin 300mg.​

I quit drinking two years ago and it has made a huge impact in my life. I have been able to talk some others through some of those hard times. We actually do it for one another.

You need to find a friend you can trust to vent to besides your wife. Someone who will tell you what you need to hear, not always what you want to hear. Better than gold to have a friend like that, I happen to have one.

Never used a life coach but wouldn't dismiss it either.

Me and wellbutrin don't get along Lexapro worked much better for me when I quit smoking.

Currently take Prozac every other day to keep the squirrel cage from spinning all night long.

I'm one of the people that has a bad reaction to wellbutrin. Day one and two I was fine. Day 3 I was mad at the world.

I finally had to explain to my wife I was having a bad reaction to the wellbutrin. And then locked myself in the guest room for the night.

I was absolutely furious that my wife was breathing in the same room as me I mean really!! How dare she breath the same air as me!!!!

I quit taking it. Blew up my doctors office. Told the nurse I didn't care what they gave me as long as they keep me married and employed

Doctors nurse called me back a couple hours later and told me they sent a prescription for Lexapro into the pharmacy

 

[Dftodd]

There is no shame in seeing a trained therapist. Life coaches in my opinion, are not qualified to unpack life's bumpy rollercoaster ride.

I agree. Much better to seek out a professional.

We went through a rough patch dealing with a son with drug addiction. We ended up seeing a therapist that specializes with families dealing with addiction.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

See a functional doctor. Have them check all of your blood levels and hormone levels. I recently did, got on testosterone replacement, and I feel a lot better. Just an idea

 

[CalG]

Call me crazy, but
The last thing I need is someone else telling me what to do.

Freedom and all that........

 

[airbiscuit]

You've already taken the first step - self awareness. Life Coach couldn't hurt. Therapist couldn't hurt. I've also heard people say you should have your own Board of Directors. I didn't have that exactly, but I did have friends in high level positions in different enterprises. We trusted each other completely and bounced our ideas, aspirations, doubts off each other often. It was a great help.

On a lighter note, i told my wife I wanted to be a Life Coach when I retired. She said, you would suck at that. I told her I could prove it. If Bill came to me and said he was having problems with his girlfriend, I would tell him to buy a skdsteer. I would see him later and ask how he is doing. He would say great - I absolutely love the skidsteer. I would say - What about Cheryl? He would say - Oh we broke up, but i was able to use the skidsteer trailer to help her move.

i told my wife, I wouldn't even have to advertise. People would see Bill on his skidsteer and ask - When did you decide to buy a skidsteer?, and he would say I was having relationship problems, and my Life Coach recommended it, and I woud have my next client. My wife was disgusted, but couldn't argue the logic.

 

[mikester]

So, I'm wondering if I should try a life coach for a little bit? I just need someone that can help break things down into small pieces and push me until my flame relights with a clearer path of what I want to do.

Anyone ever use a life coach or have some suggestions?

Just re-frame things for yourself. You have maybe 20 good years left, then 5 crappy health years, and then you die.

High stress, poor eating habits, unhealthy lifestyle will shorten those 20 good years.

Do you have a good relationship with your wife? Your kids? Like your current situation? Great! If not, you might want to change things.

OPTIONS:
1. Join a church and donate 10% of your annual income.
2. Hire a [life coach / psychologist / psychiatrist / other charlatan] and pay 10% of your annual income.
3. Keep on doing what you're already doing
4. Decide what you want to change and take control of your own life.

 

[Hay Dude]

I've certainly used it solve a number of non-tractor related issues over the years! Always some good input and feedback from the TBN crew on whatever question you ask.

Sounds like you are suffering from ”later-career burnout”. Repetition of the same work scenario over & over. Covid hit and people don’t realize the toll the stress of all that took on them, even if they never got it or had a mild case. It put many people in a state of shock they need years to recover from. The news media and our leaders did a terrible “mind job” on all of us.

A friend of mine suffered horrific, disfiguring injuries to his body and mind. Whenever I feel like complaining, I think about him and my troubles seem few. He actually picks me up sometimes. Not by making my troubles seem small compared to his, but by honestly relating his everyday life to others in a non-judgmental way.

Also, I turned back to God. I let the Lord back in my life many years ago and it has helped. Never really stopped believing, but took my relationship with Jesus Christ more seriously. Some people look down on religion, but it gives you a framework on how to live properly, treat others, etc.

I suffered career burnout in construction and was fortunate to be able to switch careers like jumping off one galloping horse onto another and it really helped me.
Maybe you have an idea for another career you can pursue? Maybe it’s your time to “switch horses”? Sure glad I did.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Sounds like you are suffering from ”later-career burnout”. Repetition of the same work scenario over & over. Covid hit and people don’t realize the toll the stress of all that took on them, even if they never got it or had a mild case. It put many people in a state of shock they need years to recover from. The news media and our leaders did a terrible “mind job” on all of us.

A friend of mine suffered horrific, disfiguring injuries to his body and mind. Whenever I feel like complaining, I think about him and my troubles seem few. He actually picks me up sometimes. Not by making my troubles seem small compared to his, but by honestly relating his everyday life to others in a non-judgmental way.

Also, I turned to God. I let the Lord back in my life many years ago and it has helped. Some people look down on religion, but it gives you a framework on how to live properly, treat others, etc.

I suffered career burnout in construction and was fortunate to be able to switch careers like jumping off one galloping horse onto another and it really helped me.
Maybe you have an idea for another career you can pursue? Maybe it’s your time to “switch horses”? Sure glad I did.

Over the past 12 months I too have been working on my relationship with Christ and it has paid real dividends. Without an eternal purpose, what is life? A vapor. It has no lasting purpose