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!