I am an OT who can be your "Life Coach" too

When i first came across Life Coach and NLP it fascinated me because i know i can make a difference .I could immediately connect to it.I followed my intuition while i was sitting in Anil Dagia's introductory seminar.So  immediately enrolled for ICF ie International Coach Federation Dual training Certification program (NLP + Life Coach ) of Mr Anil dagia.

My Coach is a ICF Credentialed Coach, PCC
- Certified Trainer of Neuro Linguistic Programming
- Trained in South Africa by Dr Terri Ann Laws
- Trainer Member of ANLP CIC, UK

My Background:

I am an Occupational therapist,belonging to a noble profession that can impact life in ways unexplored. My Profession's roots are very much parallel to what i explored in my learning of NLP i.e Neuro Linguistic Programming.
However OT is very vast and widely defined that brings meaningfulness to a person's life.
Occupational therapy is beyond exercise,it promotes clients to engage in purposeful activities carving a path of independence through scientific and evidence based intervention techniques.

This article is not about OT so i leave it here,

I am a Master's in Occupational therapy with specialization in Neuroscience.Pursuing Advanced Fellowship in Neuro Rehabilitation.
I am Certified Neuro Linguistic Practitioner, accredited by ICF as Life Coach.

My previous article states sufficient information about Life Coaching and its effectiveness.

When i am a therapist,how will i be a Life  Coach ?
I can switch my hats wisely!

My Strengths:
A good command over my language,i am very passionate about my work and compassionate to fellow humans.
With NLP training and  sound knowledge of Occupational therapy, i believe i can bring a difference in my client's life.

How will i help you,

To Transform yourself from Average to Best.
To loosen up your blocks
To help you achieve your desired states.
The list here is endless ..

What is the guarantee of change?
Life Coach is not a medium of giving ideas but exploring self.
It works on the communication model of dialogue and client's willingness to bring the change.

Who can approach?
Anyone who can place them suitable from these three segments.

Code 1# SHE GivesBack
This is exclusively for females from any age group who is srtuggling with any personal or professional challenges.
Be it a dilemma or trauma,gather yourself to explore.
Give wings to your thoughts!
Because when "She GivesBack -Nothing can Stop"

Code 2# I FEEL
This is for the individuals who are hesitant to talk about their mental health and emotional fitness.
Also the differently abled strength of our society who need a coach to see themselves clearer.
Anyone can enroll in this segment of coaching.

Code 3 # C Clear
Exclusively for students facing career blocks and challenges to channelize their lives ahead.
This is independent of student's subject background.

What is the structure of Coaching?
Each of the three Coaching Segments have a structure made with the adviseable number of coaching sessions.
A coaching agreement will be agreed upon.

For further details on these programs write to me on wastisaima110@gmail.com
with Subject as "Life Coach Code 1# SHE GivesBack"/ Code 2 #I Feel/ Code 3 # C Clear


How to start Coaching Session?
Once Coaching agreement is made.Sessions will be commenced as per the availability of slots and convenience of client and coach.


Points to be Noted:

This is strictly Professional and as per International Coach Federation Guidelines.
Any act of indecency will be faced with legal consequences.
The charges established will be non negotiable.


For Further inquiries write an email. wastisaima110@gmail.com with appropriate code.Those e mails without code will not be responded.

-SSW

Know about "Life Coaching"

Life coaching is a synergistic relationship between an accredited life coach and a client designed to tap into your full potential. Just as Olympic athletes wouldn’t think of training without the added insight, objective perspective and enthusiastic support of an athletic coach, many of today’s most successful business leaders, professionals, executives, entrepreneurs and CEOs use the services of a life coach to take their lives, careers, or businesses to the next level.

Part consultant, part motivational speaker, part therapist and part rent-a-friend, coaches work with managers, entrepreneurs, and just plain folks, helping them define and achieve their goals — career, personal, or most often, both.
- Newsweek

Coaches have the ability to view things from afar — in what some call ‘helicopter vision’ — and to shed new light on difficult situations. Often they can act as a sounding board through tough decisions, help sharpen skills, and motivate.
- CFO Magazine

An article in Public Management revealed a study where training alone was compared to life coaching combined with training. The study showed that training alone increased productivity by 22.4% while training combined with weekly life coaching increased productivity by 88%. Here is why:
1) Accountability. Most life coaches have three calls a month with their clients. This regularly scheduled call prompts clients to get more done than they would if left to their own devices. Think about it, if you work out with a personal trainer at the gym, you work much harder than on your own. Clients take bigger actions, set bigger goals and think bigger when they work with a professional coach.
2) Expertise. The trained life coach knows how to help you set the right goals, make more money, and structure your personal and professional life to achieve greater productivity with less effort. You’ll achieve more in less time with the input of an accredited Life Coach on your side.
3) Delivery. A well-trained coach knows how to use the right words so that you are naturally motivated. It doesn’t take brow-beating or nagging when you are working with a skilled life coach. Coaching typically works best with a weekly call so clients have time to integrate new ways of thinking and take action each week toward their goals. Most life coaching is done by phone and delivered in half hour to one hour coaching calls. The experience is challenging and uplifting. You’ll look forward to your weekly calls with your life coach.
4) Speed. Most people find that things start to happen very quickly after hiring a life coach.

 But Work with an Accredited Life Coach!

Who works with a Life Coach?
Entrepreneurs, executives, business leaders, actors, musicians, creative people, managers, small business owners, start-ups, professionals and home-makers all reach their goals with the help of a life coach. If there is a gap between where you are now and where you want to be, there is room for life coaching. Not only will your life coach help you close the gap, your life coach will help you break through your limited beliefs and challenge you to think bigger.

I am expanding my practice in Mental health , Emotional fitness and Rehabilitation .

Frequently asked questions

How does life coaching differ from consulting, therapy, sports coaching, a best friend?
Consulting. Life coaching can be considered a form of consulting. However, consulting is often information and expertise based. For example, you might hire a consultant to help your business with a specific problem. In which case, you’d expect your consultant to have knowledge and experience in that particular area. Life coaches, on the other hand, may or may not have a background or experience in your field. A coach is a life specialist on helping you develop all areas of your business and personal life. Unlike many consultants who propose a solution and leave you to implement it, the life coach stays with you to help you integrate the changes, new skills, and goals to make sure they really happen. This is one reason why coaching is so effective–it is one thing to have the information and quite another to actually make the change!
Therapy. Life coaching is not therapy. Coaches don’t work on past-based issues or traumas. Life coaches are not psychologists or psychotherapists. If you start the process of life coaching, and have not resolved a past issue, then it is very likely you will be referred to work with a therapist to resolve the issue. It is very common for unresolved traumas to stop us from getting what we want in our lives. Life coaches focus on the present and the client’s goals for the future. We help people move forward and set personal and professional goals that will give them the life they really want. Most life coaching clients are healthy, successful people who might be a bit stuck or simply want to make a big change in their lives and want the support of their own personal coach to do so.
Different Coaches have varied styles of working with their experience and background.
Sports. Life coaching often includes principles from sports coaching, such as being your best, doing more than you think you can, working with a team, going for the goal. But unlike sports coaching, most professional coaching is not a competition. Your life coach will help you win in your own life!
Best friend. A best friend or two or three is wonderful to have. But is your best friend an objective professional who you can trust to advise you on the most important aspects of your life or business? Sometimes our friends can’t tell us the truth as much as they would like to because they don’t want to risk losing the friendship. A good life coach is never afraid to tell you the truth and is willing to be fired at any time. Why not have a best friend and a life coach?
Our basic philosophy of life coaching:
If there is a gap between where you are now and where you want to be, then there is room for life coaching. Why struggle on your own when you can get what you want out of life in a fraction of the time with the structure, support, and tools of a skilled life coach?

Who hires a life coach and why?
The ICF (International Coach Federation) puts it nicely:
“People hire a life coach because

• They want more.
• They want to grow.
• They want it easier.

It’s as simple as that. Life coaches help a client get all three. Quickly.”

Do life coaches work on personal goals or business/professional goals?
Usually both. The life coach is the only professional trained to work with all aspects of your life. This is handy because very often, if something is bothering you at work, it is affecting your personal life as well and vice versa. Some clients prefer to spend more time focusing on their business goals, while others may want to focus on personal goals. How you use your coaching call is up to you!
Where does the life coach focus with an average client?
We focus where the client wants us to focus. Your goals are our goals, although we might have some radical suggestions for how to reach your goals more quickly. Sometimes, in order to be more successful in business, you need to do some personal work. So don’t be surprised if you get some personal assessments and quizzes!
Why does life coaching work?
Life coaching works for several reasons:

• Synergy between the life coach and client creates momentum and enthusiasm.
• Better goals are set— ones that naturally motivate the client.
• The client develops new skills, which lead to greater success.
• Life coaching provides a structure of support. Left to our own devices, we start out with the best intentions and then, we hit a snag and it can derail us completely or cause a long delay. A life coach can help you quickly break through blocks so that more is accomplished with less struggle and less effort.
• Your life coach is an objective, positive supporter. Not everyone is lucky enough to have such a friend or colleague to provide this. If you’ve been doing it solo, try seeing how much more you can accomplish with a life coach!

Shouldn’t I be able to reach my goals on my own?
Yes ,you can and will however Life Coach will help you to lead it better.
We’ve been taught that “hard work and doing it on your own” are the keys to finding life, success, money, or happiness. Most people believe they must sacrifice something to attain what they want. Some people sacrifice their health, their time to enjoy life, or their relationships. None of this is necessary. You can have it all, but maybe not all right this minute! And, with life coaching, you’ll find you don’t have to sacrifice anything to get what you want. You may need to change a few things, true, but clients find they have more time with their families and friends, more money, more opportunity, and are more successful at work when they work with an accredited life coach.
Athletes, performers, CEOs and presidents know that they can’t do it alone. They know they need a trained professional or even a team of experts to help them determine the best direction and to provide objective support and feedback. Without this, it is almost impossible to achieve excellence. No athlete would consider going to the Olympics without the support of a coach. The extra edge the coach provides makes all the difference. Why shouldn’t you have this same advantage?
Why would people who are already successful hire a life coach?
Nobody really needs a life coach, but many people want one!This is not a compulsion but a personal choice.
 Are you doing what you most enjoy? Are you tolerating or putting up with anything? Is life easy or are you struggling? Are you on the path to financial independence? Do you have what you really want? Most people can expect a lot more out of their lives. I thought I’d start writing when I retired at sixty-five. I wrote my first book at 30! Life coaching really speeds things up so hold on to your hat!
Can a dependency be created between a life coach and coaching client?
No. The client may need the life coach in order to maximize an opportunity or accelerate their personal growth, yet not be dependent on the life coach. Anyone who has big goals can benefit from the structure, advice, and support of a life coach, so in that sense, a coach is needed. As far as creating an emotional or psychological dependency, not to worry.  Life coaches do not resolve therapy issues but channelize your thoughts by challenging a self introspection.
Can life coaching hurt someone?
No. The client is always responsible for their own life. Clients makes their own decisions and takes their own actions. Life coaches provide positive support and encouragement. While a life coach might challenge you to think differently or suggest that you try a different or even radical approach than you would normally take, the client must decide whether to take the advice or not. Life coaches do not in any way control the client’s thoughts, actions or life. If you feel bad after a coaching call, for any reason, let your life coach know about it. It is probably a miscommunication or it could be that this coach’s style is not working for you. If this happens consistently, try a different life coach. You should feel uplifted and motivated to take action at the end of each personal coaching call. You should certainly feel good about yourself and your accomplishments.
Can I hire a life coach for a short-term, special project?
Yes. Some clients hire a life coach to help them achieve a specific objective or project. Many clients choose to continue working with their life coach after their initial goals are accomplished because there are even more interesting things to do!
How long must I commit to working with a life coach?
Minimum of One to three months. Although on average, most people find life coaching more beneficial than they realized and stay on longer than they initially anticipated. Many life coaches ask for a three to six month commitment but usually let you stop immediately if the coaching is not working for you right now. Some life coaches might ask you to sign a contract or an agreement. This is fine and has structure to it. We never lock you into a fixed term for life coaching.
This does not apply to corporate contracts which may be for a specific term or project and are negotiated on a case-by-case basis.

What would you work on with a life coach?

• Setting and achieving goals and objectives
• Planning — business, career and life
• Blasting through blocks and fears
• Clearing clutter
• Financial security and independence
• Balancing business and personal life
• Making key decisions and designing strategies for success
• Communicating powerfully and succinctly
• Becoming a problem-free zone
• Building powerful relationships
• Breaking through the glass ceiling
• Getting promoted
• Finding the ideal career/work or business
• Finding the ideal partner/love/relationship
• Getting out of a rut
• Making an important life transition
• Starting a business
• Growing a business
• Living an ideal life
• Identifying core values and passions
• Fulfilling personal and emotional needs
• Getting organized
• Making more money
• Having loads more time to enjoy life!
• And much, much more…

How much does life coaching usually cost?
 Subjective
Corporate Coaching will have more termed costs.
However individual/personal coaching is contract based ,planned for a stipulated duration with a coaching agreement.
Client is advised to discuss this with their Coach.


To Summarize "Not Everyone Needs a Life Coach,its a personal Choice and Call"But if you have blocks,step ahead with a Coach,it will work!"

P.S:
Courtesy Lifecoach.com.Contents structure shared.


-SSW

Khatta Meetha OT TALK-Dr Murali Krishnan (OT)

Introducing the eleventh guest of my column is passionate professional who is actively involved in the professional growth and has widened spheres of practice in  pediatric occupational therapy.

Dr Murali (OT)

Dr S Murali Krishnan M.O.Th Neuro, FAOT-NDD, WST(Halliwick) is a professor at  JKKMMRF College of Occupational Therapy, Erode.He is Therapy Head at SPANDHAN Life Skills Enhancement Centre, Chennai.He also practices School Based OT at Lady Andal Venkatasubba Rao School, Chennai and is consultant at Madhuram Narayan Centre for Exceptional Children.

He is Founder member of IFNR and has been Organizing annual workshops for Occupational Therapists for the past 5 years. He has Conducted more than 60 workshops for parents of children with special needs and professionals,also for parents of children aged 3-5 years on Play & Development.

He has been regularly presenting workshops and talks as an invited speaker for various NGOs and Organizations. He actively participates in various national and international conferences.

So let's read his views further:

 
1) What are the lesser known facts about Occupational therapy?
Occupational Therapy is based on science and scientific approaches as therapy techniques.OT st has an important role in Neuroscience, Orthopedic, Psychiatry, Burns, Ergonomic and Designing and Modifying Adaptive devices

2)What inspires your journey as a professional?
 The awareness and satisfaction of the ability to bring in positive changes in the lives of persons with needs from different walks of life is what inspires me the most. Every time i bring in a positive change is some one"s life, it also brings in positive changes in the family and society around the person. this..the feeling of improving some one's social participation is the factor which inspires me the most.

3) What are your suggestions on solving the present challenges to create professional identify ?
Creating professional identity should be a team work as individual therapists, National Association, State associations and colleges all together needs to work on this. first step in this is to build the sound knowledge of our profession amongst our own therapist which will boost the confidence of the therapist. then advocate for ourselves and our profession to the general public and other professionals.Follow the cross referral system amongst private practitioners.

4) Being in the field for so long, you would have seen the growth in the profession but it still has many lacunae. Where do we lag and how can we overcome it?

 LACUNAE

 *no uniform curriculum amongst all colleges 

 * lack of practical exposure for the graduates

 * the hard working and talented young therapists are not appreciated generously for their efforts                      

 SUGGESTIONS

*single comprehensive curriculum should be formed and followed by all the colleges in the country.

*the younger generation should be acknowledged and appreciated for their knowledge and efforts in bringing  the profession to heights

 *cross internship programs among colleges of different states will bring in the much needed experience factors for the graduates                        

5) The monotony of practice has lead to saturation of the pediatric OT Practitioners , leaving many domains untouched can you brief the youth with your opinion on this.
Pediatric OT may be the breadwinner for many of the private practitioners for now but there are many OTs who are spreading wings and taking different areas as well creating their own mark in that process. the young therapist shall follow them and take them as mentors, take their guidance, explore the various opportunities or create your own areas of specialization and shine bright in your ventures.

Your highlights:
*My Professional Strength - sound knowledge and skill in the field, constantly participates in National and International conferences to keep me updated knowledge wise

*My professional goals- to produce better quality professionals.

To start a center where all the areas of occupational therapy services are under one roof

 And  to take therapy from within the room to the community level in building Life skills.

*I am known for- my creative ways of teaching,good at bringing out the best out of my students and clients and my sense of humor.


*My inspirational moment-  was the one during my PG days in Mumbai. it was in my first posting at TNMC, Neurosurgery ward, the young man with TB spine smiled at me when i was working with him and said lets work together and make my legs walk again.

P.S: I express my gratitude to him for his valuable time .See you all next Saturday with another guest.

-SSW

 

Khatta Meetha OT TALK-Dr Anu Meena (OT)

 Introducing the tenth guest of my column is a professional who is exploring to create more opportunities in her hometown through her zeal and dedication.The place that had lack of awareness of OT now demands the need to have more due to her continuous perseverance by demonstrating through her work.

Dr Anu Meena (OT)

Dr.Anu Meena graduated from Jaipur OT College and was an intern at SMS Medical College and Hospital,Jaipur

She  graduated in Developmental Disabilities from All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AIIPMR),Mumbai

She is presently Working as Consultant Pediatric Occupational Therapist in Babylon's Newton Child Development Center.She is also working in Neonatal Therapy and Early intervention Therapy.She holds experience as Assistant Lecturer in Jaipur OT College.

She is  gold medalist in under graduation.

Appreciated for most regular student in Yoga during her post graduation

Recently awarded for best essay competition in 1st National Conference of ANT held in March 2019

She is passionate for traveling, trekking  and a fitness freak.

She believes that our positive words motivate patients and can change their lives so be positive and speak positively with them.

So let's read her views further:

1)What is your proud Ot moment?
When I gave a small presentation to neonatologist  on "Role of OT in NICU" it was my  proud moment as I was spreading awareness about my profession and they appreciated it a lot.

2)What are the challenges you had faced while transforming from a student to a professional?

When I completed my PG from Mumbai and started searching for job in my hometown Jaipur i had to face lot of problems because of less awareness about OT , less salary and limited work options.

3)How do you view the need of change in the current education format of Occupational Therapy

Quality of education is compromising in Current Education format of Occupational Therapy.There are many private colleges who give direct admission to students  without any entrance exam and running distance basis Masters degree program which is unethical.

4))If you have to convey the need of OT in a well understood note to other professionals in the team,How will you put this up?

Occupational therapist makes you independent in all activities which occupy your time,improves quality of life and makes your life productive.

5)A lot of fresh graduates prefer to stay in cities with established OT practices,What will you advise to them?

It is my advice to all freshers don't limit your boundaries.come out from your comfort zone if you want growth in your professional life because Rather than working in established OT practices in pediatric OT I started working in neonatal therapy it was difficult transition but I struggled a lot for this and now I am only OTst working in neonatal Therapy in Rajasthan.

Your Highlights:

My professional strength:I am really a good listener (as my clients say)I patiently listen my client's problems.

I am known for :my hard work and Quality of it.

My inspirational Moment :All those moments when  my patients/clients show their gratitude for what they are able to do independently.

If not OT I would be :chef (I think I have good cooking skills)

P.S:I express my gratitude to her for valuable time
See you all next Saturday with another guest.

-SSW

Khatta Meetha OT Talk-Dr Raviraj Shetty (OT)

Introducing the ninth guest of my column,a passionate soul who is known for his out of box thinking.A dedicated professional who has transformed lives by his zeal to work creatively.
 

Dr Raviraj Shetty (OT)

Raviraj Shetty’s life and work is guided by relentless curiosity, audacious hope and magic. He believes from his heart that people are not the problem, but the problem is in the social-political-cultural context we live in. 

He is a lead therapist, supervisor and project manager at Ummeed Child Development Center where he consults with young people and their families, communities and healthcare workers. He teaches Narrative Practices to community health workers and professionals in diverse context like developmental disabilities, trauma, abuse, mental health concerns, violence, divorce etc. 

He also has a small private practice as  OT in mental health where he consults with people of diverse age groups, class, caste, gender and sexuality.  He has published articles in The Indian Journal of Occupational Therapist and a reviewer for Journal of Occupational Science. He is a TEDX speaker and has been a part of WFOT Congress 2019 in Capetown. 

 Let's read his views further,

1)Please can you elaborate on your journey and growth in the field of occupational therapy?

    My journey has been nothing less than an exciting magical adventure filled with possibilities I never imagined before. I moved from a medicalized understanding of OT to that of socio-political-cultural view. (Which has been liberating and a powerful shift for me). From working in an acute care setting to a paediatric context to mental health in children and families to communities marginalised due to class, caste, gendered violence, sexuality, ableism.

2) What are the challenges you had faced as a fresh graduate and how did you go about it?

 One of the challenges I remember was whether to pursue masters or not? And if yes, than India or US? The answer to both the challenges was my best friends and lack of resources (e.g. money). We made some beautiful life lasting friendships during our graduation which helped me navigate through my challenges of finding a job, changing a job, finding home visits, meeting some inspiring people, a shoulder to cry on when life seemed difficult.

3) Why do you think there is lack of professional recognition in the field of occupational therapy?

Because the idea of recognition is flawed. Who decides what is recognised and what is not? What gets recognised? When does it get recognised? Is all a game of POWER. In my work experience so far, the recognition that matters the most is that of the people and communities who I consult with, my OT community, allies from other professions and loved ones. And everything else follows. This has been journeys of recognition for marginalised communities and professions,  

4) A lot of OT’s have concern over remuneration in consideration to other professionals market, what are you views on this?

Its sad but that’s the truth for many of us. But each one of us has a voice and allies, to influence the system and demand more. I have learnt that until we don’t ask for it we will not get it. So when we deserve it, we demand it as if it is our right to be paid equally. To not see ourselves as less in comparison to any (ANY) profession. There is a lot we can learn from the feminist and queer movement in our fight to ask for a dignified remuneration. It works. J

5) What are the practical ideas that can be incorporated in OT practise that can give more opportunities to youngsters to explore different fields in OT?

Mentorship programmes by OTs from diverse context outside the OT schools during internship and graduation. Collaboration with artists, activists, authors, other professionals to create spaces for ideation. Meeting OT’s from diverse cultures from across the world on various online platform.

Your highlights:

My professional strength: to think from my heart.

My favourite occupations: Witnessing stories which are never heard, being with loved ones, netflixing, instagramming, collecting all information about Unicorns. J

I am known for: speaking my heart, being unconventional and a die hard fan of Arundhati roy.

My inspirational moment: everyday resilience that marginalised communities do to existed  and being on the TEDX red circle.

P.S :I extend my gratitude to him for giving me his valuable time. See you all next Saturday with another guest.