It’s funny. Growing up, we have teachers for just about everything. But the irony is that we actually meet our biggest challenge when we step outside the safety of those school gates. Welcome to ‘life’.  Welcome, to a new world where things get a little bit more complicated and suddenly we need our ‘teachers’ the most. Have you ever felt like a failure when a few relationships went awry? Or, found yourself sitting at a desk you never thought you’d end up sitting behind? For many of us, it seems that life… doesn’t quite turn out the way we plan. As a life coach, I say to you: forget the past & present - because its never too late to design the future of your dreams.

Now, before we embark on the journey to create your ideal ‘world’, we need to make some space for the better things to come. In life coaching, this is done by ‘decluttering’. Let me put it in a rather (fashionable) analogy: All women have their ‘prized wardrobe’. The wardrobe starts out empty and new, but overtime we fill it with bits and pieces from the years gone by. One day, you decide to change it up and finally buy that beautiful dress you’ve always desired. However, there’s a problem - the closet is full. You simply can’t fit the dress in without getting rid of something else. As a life coach we help you identify what to keep and what to get rid of - energy givers vs. energy takers. Naturally, people or actions that cause you negative emotions are top of the list to be discarded! Once you’ve decluttered, you should find your life feeling lighter and ready to embrace positive change.

It is essentially our goal to empower you with focus, training and accountability to achieve consistent results in important areas of your being. One of the first steps to discovering our client’s ideals is to do a simple exercise called the ‘Life Star’ (seen in the bottom right corner). The ‘Life Star’ shows you where and how you feel about the different aspects of your life right now and makes you realize what are your shiny, bright goals – and how long you think it will take to get to a ‘10’. Believe me, a ‘perfect 10’ isn’t actually that hard to achieve. As my client’s cases are kept confidential – let me use myself as an example! I started my life as a makeup artist, it was fun and great at the beginning but after years of travelling and commercial makeup… the excitement faded and the doldrums set in. As my work lost its luster, it simultaneously effected the rest of my life - relationship, friendship, finances and health… nothing seemed to be right.  At that time, my boss saw the fire dying in my eyes and so asked me bluntly: “WHAT DO YOU WANT?” I was taken by surprise and found I could not answer – that’s how bad it was. Over the next few weeks the question kept echoing in my head… what do I want, what’s my purpose in life? After some soul searching I realized where my true passion was: Contributing positively to people’s lives. So over the next few years, I slowly worked my way to where I am today – feeling brilliant about myself, and what I am doing. Looking back though, I wish I had had a coach to bring me to this current blissful state… it would have been much faster!

Now you might be thinking – well, can’t I just sit there and write my own plan? Do I really need a life coach?! True. But let me ask you this – how many New’s Years resolutions have you ever fulfilled? Chances are, most of us get excited about a goal but there’s only a fraction of us who actually stick by our plan and focus (if not I would be out of a job!). Even our best of family or friends may fail to support us, simply because they don’t believe in our dreams. Having a ‘cheerleader’ by your side is fundamental to keep you going when the going gets tough. As your coach, we are here to measure, monitor and manage your progress – and be your beacon of light. Though bear in mind, it’s a two-way relationship. I once had a client who wasn’t actually serious about her goals. Our weekly meetings became groundhog days and eventually I had to say goodbye. Remember, we’re not here to hold your hand and do the hardwork for you. Because only you can be the master of your universe, and as Mr. Obama has wisely said, “We are the change that we seek.”

Having worked with everyone from the high profile to everyday woman, it’s sufficed to say that even the ‘most successful’ of us can feel we’re ‘getting it wrong’. Though our role as a life coach is to bring you towards your excellence… don’t get us mixed up with the shrink next door. Whereas a pyschiratrist will dig and dig to find the source of your unhappiness –your life coach doesn’t want to know about the past but instead is intent on creating the future you want. Of course, that doesn’t mean we tell you the answer – if so you would need us around till you’re old and grey! Instead of spoonfeeding, we steer you to discover your own ‘personal power’ which inturn enables you to find the answers. Another misconception is that we are here to help you get whatever you want. Wrong! The mantra of this profession is to ensure our clients create happiness within and achieve an ecological outcome – so if you desire anything harmful or immoral – then I’m afraid we can’t be of any assistance! Afterall, life is only good when you are good to yourself and others.

While life coaching is a relatively new thing in Asia, its been big in the western world for decades. Anthony Robbins is just one of the infamous motivational life coaches who reach millions in America and change lives on a daily basis. People ask why I, a Frenchman who spent most of his life as an entrepreneur, would end up here in Malaysia. Well, firstly because of my love for the people and place – and secondly for the opportunity. Perhaps even moreso in Asian society, where individuality and openness is more restrained – can we find ourselves in places we’d rather not be, doing things we’d rather not do.

Thus forget about crying over spilt milk; set your sight on the future round the corner and the endless possibilities of tomorrow. By appointing your life coach, you embark on a new partnership to create the most valuable asset of all – the life you want. It’s not as easy as waving a magic wand, but with hard work and commitment… I promise you will meet with reward and an extraordinary you. As Albert Camus once said ‘Life is a sum of choices.’ So make the right one, right now.

Sincerely,

Arnaud Marolleau

www.awareandawaken.com