diane krause stetson

How a Life Coach Helped Change Me for the Better

Posted by Barbara Techel

Diane and Barb

I can’t even begin to imagine what my life would look like today if I hadn’t taken the leap and hired life coach, Diane Krause-Stetson.  It wasn’t an easy thing to do. I was scared. Scared to really dig down deep to find out what was working for me and what wasn’t. It is also a hard thing to do– asking for help. But seven years later I can absolutely say it was one of the best things I ever did for myself. And actually, something shifted in me the day I committed to work with Diane- something in me just knew I would come out better after the experience.

From that fateful day in April 2005 my life took a 180 turn. I hired Diane thinking she could help me with marketing weight loss products for a company that I was a part of. I committed to three months in figuring this out. Two months later I knew what it was I wanted to explore. I set out with a determination I never had before to do just that. Writing and writing about what I love most– dogs. I slowly walked away from the company I was involved with and each time I made another leap to let it completely go, I felt my soul come more alive. It was all I needed to know I was on the right path.

Diane cautioned me that there would be forks in the road and I’d have a choice to take that turn or not. But listening to my heart and following my intuition would be key. Now I’m not going to say that was, or is, easy. But as I get ready to launch my new book next month I feel certain, even with the few twists and turns I’ve had, this is right where I am meant to be.

Working with a life coach not only helped me to trust more in what my heart was calling me to do, but to not be afraid who I was really meant to be. If we can just get past thinking asking for help is a weakness, oh, how far we can go! Asking for help means you want better for yourself and your life.

I’ve had so many moments of reflection as I think about where my path will lead as I push my book out into the world. And as I look back seven years ago, I don’t recognize the person I was then– but I see her now and I like what I see. For that alone, I’m deeply grateful to have found Diane and trusted my gut that day and took the leap.

I dedicate this post to Diane for believing in me and helping me see that I was not a failure, but an explorer!

Meeting One of My Inspirations– A Memory I’ll Forever Treasure

Posted by Barbara Techel

cynthia and barb

 Meeting an inspiration of mine, writing coach and author Cynthia Morris

This morning I sit at my desk feeling so emotional.  Last night I met writing coach and author, Cynthia Morris. She is promoting her debut novel, Chasing Sylvia Beach and made an appearance in Milwaukee, WI at the Lyndon Sculpture Gardens.

It was in 2005 that I was introduced to Cynthia’s work. I was coaching with life coach, Diane Krause-Stetson at the time. I was 41 years old and trying to figure out what it was I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to do something more meaningful. I wanted to live with more joy. I wanted to find my authentic self and not be afraid to be that person.

Coaching was not easy. But it was worth every minute of the deep dive into my soul’s stirring. Trying to narrow down and focus on something that would bring me what I was seeking was challenging. I think as women, at least among my circle of friends, we tend to like to do so many things!  But as I went through the coaching process, dogs and animals kept surfacing, and my deep love for them. Then writing surfaced for many different reasons.

It was then, with the help and encouragement from my coach that I decided to pursue writing and write about what I love most– animals, with an emphasis on dogs. It was then that Diane loaned me a book from her extensive and beautiful library called, Create Your Writer’s Life by Cynthia Morris. I’ve followed Cynthia’s work enthusiastically since that day. I’ve read all her e-books, taken some of her on line classes, been a part of her Creative Book Salon, and also participated in the Creative Leap Club she offers– which by the way I credit as a part of my process in helping me leap forward in finishing my new book.

Her tenacity for living her dreams and following her heart speaks to me. So to finally meet her in person last night was an absolute joy. It’s why I sit at my computer this morning feeling so emotional. I feel filled with so much inspiration to continue on my own path– to keep following my heart.  And the other way I can describe it is when you decide to pursue what makes your heart sing, by default, you attract into your life those much like you. Being around someone like Cynthia and her amazing energy of choosing to live life as she chooses is something that once you taste and experience it, you never want to go back to anything else.

Joy Is: Being Inspired by Other Writer’s

Posted by Barbara Techel

When I hired life coach, Diane Krause-Stetson to help me figure out what I wanted for my life to bring me more joy, to which I discovered would be writing and animals, she gave me the gift of sharing a wonderful book with me. The book was Create Your Writer’s Life: A Guide to Writing With Joy and Ease, by Cynthia Morris.


Coaching with Diane, and this book, started my path to where I am today… and oh, what joy it has been! Well, ok, some bumps along the way, but that is what life is about, right?  But staying in tune with what makes me happy, as well as being inspired by others keeps me on the right track.  I’ve worked with Cynthia via different programs she has offered and each and every time I’ve been propelled to a new level in my writing, as well as how I see myself as a person.


Cynthia Morris is one of my biggest inspirations.  I look forward to her blog posts each and every week- especially her video posts. Her authenticity is so refreshing and I find myself sometimes wanting to be a Cynthia wanna-be!

If you are of the creative type, I invite you to discover Cynthia’s website and blog for yourself.  Being inspired by other writer’s sometimes gives me that extra push that I need when I find myself procrastinating.  Joy is being inspired by Cynthia and connecting with other creative people which always awakens my muse!