My passion is to connect people with their purpose and gifts, so they live powerfully, authentically, with impact. It took me a long time (way too long!) to find my way to the power of purpose and do the work I was meant to do. I know first hand the frustration of working in a job that saps your energy and snuffs out your spirit. My Story: I was very good in science in high school. When I got to college as a 17 year old I was forced to choose a major. I felt overwhelmed with choosing a career for the rest of my working life (or so I believed), I thought being a doctor would allow me to satisfy my interest in science, make a good living, and help people. I soon learned that being pre-med was more about weeding out than growing students. While I had the smarts, I didn't have the commitment. I was one of the weeds that got plucked. I bounced around in a number of majors. I had no idea what I wanted to be and got depressed. I went to the career center and they gave me a battery of aptitude tests which didn't help a lick. One said I should be a musician based on my love for music; it would have been a great career if I wasn't tone deaf! Eventually, I got a degree and got a job. I hated most every minute of it enduring an abusive boss but I stuck it out for a year. Since then I have worked in a number of positions - analyst, programmer, project manager, executive, consultant, adjunct professor, leadership coach - and came to realize that working is more than a job. It is how we feed our soul, not just how we fill our bank account. I saw first hand how the right work can inspire amazing creativity, joy and fulfillment. And how the wrong work can contribute to depression, physical maladies and listlessness. I am pretty sure that if I had spoken to the right person at the right time, I would be a practicing physician today. I didn't have the conversations to get clarity on what I wanted and why I wanted it. I didn't have the support to stick with it. But I did gain a lot of empathy for what it is like not to do work that brings joy. When you settle, you not only cheat yourself, you cheat the universe of the unique contribution only you can make. My professional coaching started in 2014, when I went to the Coaches Training Institute (CTI) and participated in a rigorous 18 month certification program. I experienced how coaching challenged my thinking, opened me up to new possibilities, and connected me to my spirituality. I also came to realize that all that wandering through many jobs, and the feeling that I was meant to do more and live bigger, gave me the experience and wisdom, to be the person that connects people to their authentic selves so they can express themselves through their work and live the life they were meant to live. I finally am doing the work I am meant to do - and I'm loving it!
I have a deep belief in the magnificence and genius that resides in each of us. It is by living your dream and expressing your unique gifts to the world that you will experience deep fulfillment and make a contribution to humanity that only you can make. You do not need to be fixed since you are not broken. You have all the ingredients at hand to create the life of your dreams. You are the expert of your life and know best what the right course is for you.
Why should I select Curt as my coach?
You will gain clarity on your goals and support for achieving them. You will enjoy the combination of playfulness and results orientation I bring to the coaching relationship. When I take you on as a client, I am 100% dedicated to being your partner and cheer leader in helping you get to where you want to go. I will challenge you and hold you accountable to your highest self.
What is Curt’s coaching specialty?
My passion is coaching people who hunger for more meaning and fulfillment. I focus on career coaching - where i align what you do with who you are. There is nothing more rewarding than witnessing a client who felt uninspired, excited to get out of bed each day with purpose and zest to make a difference in the world.
Am I a good candidate to be coached by Curt?
You feel that you are stuck. You have an urge to do work that more fully expresses who you are but you feel overwhelmed or fearful about making the needed change. You are frustrated by knowing that there is a song in your heart that you are not yet singing. I enjoy working with people who are committed to improving their personal and/or professional effectiveness, increasing their capabilities, and bringing joy back into their life. The foundation for success is first doing the inner work - gaining clarity on purpose, values, and vision. Then we partner in setting up an action plan to realize your vision. I act as your accountability partner and hold you to your vision, overcoming the obstacles that would otherwise derail you. See ingredients of a coaching relationship
How long will this process take?
The pace varies depending on how much clarity you have, and your level of commitment to making change happen. Change will start happening with the first coaching session.
What are the coaching logistics?
The first (Foundation) session is two hours. From then on coaching sessions are 50 minutes. Coaching can be conducted by phone, video conference, or in-person. (for those living near Oakland, CA) During the complimentary introductory session we will discuss options.