As a life coach, Dresden resident Elizabeth Sylvester said she sees people visibly transform from despair to a renewed sense of purpose and confidence. Life coaching encompasses many avenues of exploration, Sylvester said. It can help people who are seeking a new career or who are starting a business venture and can also help people with interpersonal relationships. She said coaching helps give people the confidence and support to take the next step.
According to Sylvester people tell stories to themselves all the time, every minute, every hour, every day, week after week, year after year, and wonder how they arrived at their current destination. Sylvester uncovers the stories that hold people back from their goals and dreams, she said.
People create stories and reinforce behaviors for survival at certain times of their lives, and sometimes, later, those same stories no longer apply. Sylvester said she and a client work as a team toward that person’s goal. Through conversation, the person replaces the old behaviors that keep them from getting to where they want to be.
“Sometimes you don’t know what stories you are holding,” she said. “A life coach helps find stories.”
As she describes it, there are as many different challenges in life coaching work as there are stars in the sky. One of the most common challenges Sylvester comes across is a client’s feeling they are not worth the trouble.
She described a situation in which one client was always out to help others. She wanted to change her own life, but at the same time was never there for herself. She needed to realize she was important and worth the effort of change, Sylvester said.
“You need to take care of yourself first,” Sylvester said.
As a life coach, Sylvester said she acts as a reflection for her clients. Through her, people see what they want to accomplish. She decided to formally train as a life coach after hearing personal stories of struggle as a 12-year member in Al-Anon.
Sylvester’s own “ah-ha” moment came as she witnessed people in her Al-Anon group make real changes to their lives.
“It’s like an onion unpeeling,” she said.
Prior to hanging out her shingle as “New Visions ME,” Sylvester went to Newfield Coaching School in Boulder, Col. to learn more about how to help people realize their dreams. The course came in three, five-day sessions, along with coaching sessions, writing and other exercises. After receiving her diploma, Sylvester had to have at least 60 hours of coaching practice (or coaching conversations).
She plans to also obtain her International Coaching Certification, which requires 100 hours of coaching practice.
Sylvester launched her new business after working in the picture framing business for 25 years. She taught carpentry with Americorps and helped build houses for low-income families under Coastal Enterprises Inc.
Sylvester participates in a women’s support group Monday nights through the Lincoln County Adult Education in Damariscotta. She travels the Midcoast area and is working on a website, which is near completion (www.lifecoachmaine.com).
She prefers one-on-one conversations with people, but can also hold sessions over the phone. Sylvester offers a free conversation for those interested in learning about the life coaching process. Her phone number is: 737-2158. People can also contact her by email at: silverbirde@gmail.com.
