“Fear less, hope more; Eat less, chew more; Whine less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; Love more, and all good things will be yours” ~ Unknown

Sometimes in life you get know you were meant to come across another person and you know they will stick.  You don’t know why or how but in your heart of hearts you know there is a reason why you have come to know them.  My guest today, Carrie, is one of those people.  She popped up on my blog early this year and always left very thoughtful comments. As I shared more and more about my feelings on any given day, Carrie would share her thoughts, stories and insights.  Although she is a life coach, I always found it remarkable that she never crossed a line to give me advice but rather just shared and for that I was grateful, intrigued and inspired by her and her stories.

In March when I launched our March for Babies team, Carrie shared a very personal story with me, which she also shared here, but that story which you will read, bonded us together in a way that made me want to surround her with a halo of love and light.  Which is amazing because in many ways that is what she has given me on many occasions, in the times when I am a bit low, she comes in and lifts my spirits in just the perfect way.

To me, the quote above is what Carrie is and more importantly what she does. I hope you will enjoy getting to know her and will wander over to check out her blog, Tempo Life Coaching (http://tempolifecoaching.com).

Without further adieu, please meet my friend Carrie.

Shannon: How did you come up with the name for your blog?

Carrie:  Simply, my blog is my business name.  I came up with “Tempo” in Tempo Life Coaching because it’s a term used in cycling.  My boyfriend will tell me, “ride with tempo,” meaning, keep up a nice, steady pace.  I see life coaching like this…helping clients stay on the road (or trail) at a nice steady pace, moving forward, making progress, reaching goals.  I spent months rattling ideas around my head about business names, and I kept coming back to Tempo, and so it is.  It’s a nice fit for me.

Shannon:  Why and when did you start blogging?

Carrie:  I’ve been a journaler for as long as I can remember, so the desire to use writing as a tool for self expression has been a part of me for most of my life.  I only started blogging in January 2012, so I’m still fairly new to all this.  I was starting to grow my private practice, and I wanted to have a forum for sharing my insights and ideas with clients and potential clients.  As I’ve continued on with blogging, I’m finding a real passion in it.  It’s more than just spreading some life coaching advice, it’s about honesty, finding your truth, owning your life, living your best life, finding ways over the things that hold you back.  It’s about healing, finding passion, overcoming, changing perspective…all that great life stuff.  Many life coaches take more of a teaching approach to their blogs.  I feel like I’m more of a story teller.   Blogging has turned out to be such a growth experience for me, and I’m excited to share that with others in hopes that something resonates and helps others to grow and change in their lives as well.  And, as it turns out, I just really like to write.  I’m still learning and finding my voice, trying to balance the business side of things with the “me” side of things.  My writing is very reflective of who I am as a person and who I am as a coach.

Shannon: Where would we find you now on your blogging journey from where you started?  

Carrie:  Well, I’m not too far down the road in terms of time, but I’m certainly more comfortable with my writing.  As I mentioned, I’m finding my voice.  I think my writing has deepened to a certain extent.  I’ve shared more of myself in a really raw and honest way than I ever really anticipated.  It’s nice in a way, and it’s an honor that people read, comment, and appreciate what I’ve shared.  I love the sense of giving back.  Another part of my blogging journey has been to read the blogs of others, and man is there some great stuff out there.  I have to remind myself to stop reading and start writing sometimes.  I’m in awe of the men and women who I have “met” through blogging.  I’ve learned so much and appreciate everyone’s willingness to support one another.  It’s really a wonderful little world.  My brain is constantly swirling with blog ideas, and I love that.  Going back to Tempo, I find I do most of my best blog composing while on my bike…coincidence??  I think in blog stories now.  I even wrote something kind of poetic today.  Who’d have ever guessed that one.

Shannon: You are a Life Coach, tell us how you came to be a Life Coach and what being a Life Coach means to you?

Carrie:  My original training from way back when is as a Marriage, Family, Child Counselor and school counselor.  I stepped out of the work force when my oldest was a baby (20 years ago…hard to believe) with the intention of going back to work when I was done having my 2 babies and they were in school.  Life doesn’t always go as planned.  The death of my 2nd baby girl really changed the course of my life.  20 years later (and 2 more kids later) I found myself longing for “something” although I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.  I didn’t want to get back into therapy, mostly due to the red tape with licensing.  I learned about life coaching from an ad on Facebook, and it totally struck me, “This is exactly what I want to do.”  I had never heard of a life coach, but it’s what my heart’s desire was.  And so I started my studies at International Coach Academy, and the rest is history.

Shannon:  What is your philosophy when it comes to being a Life Coach and helping others?

Carrie:   The thing I love about life coaching is that it is such a positive approach to helping clients navigate their way through life.  It’s action oriented, and I love that.  My clients have the answers within themselves, it is my job to help them get to those answers, support them along the way, encourage, cheerlead, help them to overcome fears and challenges and realize their own potential.   It is such a thrill when I see the growth and changes my clients are making.  I’m honored to be a small piece of that.

Shannon:  Who or what do you find inspiring?

Carrie:  Oh gosh!  I find inspiration all over the place…in nature, in children, in people overcoming challenges.  My mother inspires me as do my kids, each in their own way.  Watching someone struggle and then “make it” just sends me into high gear.  I’m inspired by my clients with the risks they take, with facing their fears, with being willing to “try” (because I usually give some sort of homework 🙂 ).  And as I’ve become more entrenched in the wonderful world of FB and the internet, there are countless people who inspire me daily.  I read stories and am in awe, either by the writing itself or by the story being told.  I’m inspired by how people come together to help one another out, develop friendships.  It’s awesome!

Shannon:  If you were stuck on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring (all your loved ones are with you)

Carrie:  I love my pillow, and on a desert island, I’m thinking I’d be a bit more friendly if I had some decent sleep.  Just don’t try to take my pillow away from me or you’ll see the dark side appear.  Does my dog count as a loved one?  If so, then I’m covered.  If not, I think he’d have to be with me.  Gotta have my dog along.  He brings such joy and laughter, and the unconditional love is wonderful.  I’m thinking either my laptop or my Kindle (assuming I had a means of charging).  I can’t live without books.  If I have my laptop then I have the option to read more than books.  I can keep up on Facebook, email, all my favorite blogs.  But if that’s too much, then I’d be perfectly happy with my Kindle.  Oh geez…let’s assume my dog counts as my loved one, then I’d want a journal and pen.  I need some place to keep my thoughts and feelings straight.  Journaling is the best way I know how to keep everything sorted out.  Oooh, and if there is no electricity to charge my modern-day tech things, then I’d just say swap the Kindle for a library of books.  Either way works for me.

Shannon:  What is one thing about you people might be surprised to know/learn about you (Funny or serious)?

Carrie: I get really disturbed when the kids I counsel mash my Playdough colors together…you know, to the point that they can’t be separated and will eventually turn mucky brown.  I’ve managed to keep the Playdough separated all year, but I just had a student who squashed the colors together.  He needed to…needed to get out that frustration, but deep inside my anxiety level was growing.  Breath…let it go…just buy more…it’s ok.  And one more…I rarely drink alcohol, not because of any other reason than I just don’t like it that much (although I’m growing to like a really sweet lemon drop martini with a sugar-rimmed glass)

Shannon:  What pearl(s) of wisdom can you leave us with that you suggest to make each day ‘anewfavoriteday?’

Carrie:  Open your eyes and look around, find the positive each and every day.  It’s all around you, all the time.  The more you look for it, the more you’ll realize it’s there, and the more you’ll feel the positivity in your life.  Being happy is a choice.  Even if you suffer from depression or are going through a tough life situation, happiness is a choice.  It’s a choice to find pieces of gratitude in your life.  Little pieces turn to big chunks rather quickly.  Take notice, smile, and make today “anewfavoriteday.”

As Carrie and her blog title suggest, the tempo and pace for which we set our compass of life is all our own.  Through slowing down your tempo just a bit today, I hope you will find some love, gratitude and friendship which will help make today “yournewfavoriteday.”

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