(cont) ... with asking me to write affirmations and read them several times a day. I didn’t believe the words, but over time, I did and I still do. The internal dialogue that used to be a broken record of negativity, has changed to positive feelings about myself. “I am capable to achieving anything I want because I am willing to do whatever it takes to succeed.” I know this now about myself. I know I can do anything, not everything. You helped me plan and structure my time, writing down things I needed to do in the next year, the next six months, the next three months…to scheduling and writing down my day-to-day activities focusing on the main goal of getting my dissertation done and defended by December 16, 2005. In early February you told me to make a reservation for a defense celebration party. This scared me beyond anything else! I worked on my dissertation for at least 6 hours a day at the Encore Café, a café walking distance from my house with free internet access and bottomless cups of coffee for $1.45. I made the reservation at Encore for December 17th and they thought I was crazy! “It’s a bit early, don’t you think, Sue?” they asked worriedly. Then, you had me send out invitations for the party! That was very, very uncomfortable. “I know you are a person of your word. If you say you’re going to do it, you will,” you told me, explaining why the invitations were an essential part of the process of getting my dissertation done. It was a commitment, a public commitment to family and friends. I made these beautiful invitations and sent them out to at least 75 people all over the world. Many were shocked by the early invitation, others were proud, and professors showed the invitations to their other students to encourage them to do the same.
With planning and action, and a few “almost comin’ to Jesus” talks, we made it happen! It wasn’t easy and I had some personal stuff along the way, sometimes taking two steps forward and one, two or 100 steps back! But I got back on the wagon and pushed ahead. I stayed on track as much as I could while teaching and remembering to take time for my personal life... James Kang-McCann, my primary informant and friend in South Korea attended my defense and graduation. It was an honor to have him there and hear his comments on my dissertation. The defense went extremely well. I could not have done it in such an efficient, effective and organized manner without you. I know of so many PhD students who struggle for years and years to get their dissertations done. Your help and guidance taught me to and showed me how to get it done in less than a year! Thank you, Bob!
Below is what I say in my Acknowledgement section about you below:
"I must come clean here. I had a secret weapon for the last year to help me accomplish and finish my dissertation. The secret can now be revealed. He is in a category all his own – Life-Coach Bob. I met him on the eve of 2005, December 31, 2004. Thank you for giving me the training wheels to achieve anything I choose to and for teaching me how to ride the bike of life, Bob. Without you, this would not have happened in such a timely or organized manner. I hope I did not burn you out on any future work with PhD students!"
Since then we’ve worked on what comes next and I can’t wait to make those things happen, too!
Your Loyal PhD Coachee,
Dr.Sue-Je Gage, Phd
(cont)...One of the most important things I wanted to accomplish with this program was to clarify my business and personal goals…Mission Accomplished. I am now on the path to getting out of some businesses that were not working for me and have started to focus more on others, the businesses that provide the greatest return financially and personally and most importantly are in line with my values.
My accomplishments have been many since starting the program with you. With your leadership I have set new goals, created a business plan, created personal and business budgets, am on the way towards becoming debt free and have planned for my financial retirement.
It is amazing how much I have grown in such a short period of time with your support and leadership.
I would highly recommend you and this coaching program to anyone considering a coaching program.
In fact, I can honestly say that I would not be where I am today on the path to success without a coach.
Thanks again and if there is anything I can ever do for you, please don’t hesitate to call me.
Sincerely,
John Beal
President
Community Investment Group LLC
