Interview Tuesday with Beth Dargis

Hi again everyone,
It's me again, groovyholly, here with another fun interview.  A couple of years ago I reread Cheryl Richardson's book "Stand Up for your Life" and was so inspired by the whole coaching concept.  Curious, I began to look around for a coach of my own.  After interviewing a few people, I really clicked with Beth Dargis.  I was totally blown away by the whole coaching experience, really!  Beth has so many fun tools and programs on her website and she is so gentle and insightful.  I was rereading my journal entries on when I was working with her and it is so neat to see me start to blossom.  Finding Beth was great for me on my healing journey. Thanks Beth, you really did help turn my life around! In fact, I still miss our weekly chats.  If you've ever thought of getting a coach, there's so many different kinds too, I highly recommend it!   Without further adieu, I introduce Beth to you!

1)  Can you please tell us a little bit about yourself and your day to day life?
I work at home as a life and simplicity coach. I have two teenagers and have been married 15 years.  I get up early enough to have a quiet time and exercise before getting work started at 8am. Most of my work is done by computer or phone. I take 3-10 minute breaks each hour so I can keep my energy up. And I never eat lunch at my desk. I quit at 3pm or 5pm when the kids come home from school/activities, so we can chat. My husband is a 3rd shift engineer so he usually gets up about that time as well.

2)  What different career hats have you worn?
I got married and had kids right out of college, so I started with receptionist work at the beginning. Then I was able to stay home with the kids for quite a few years and taught myself graphic design and web design. I started getting paid for my work. I also published a few magazine articles during this time. When my kids started school, I worked out of the house as a graphic designer for two years - a very stressful two years where I read everything I could on simplifying your life plus took coaching courses. After two years in that stressful environment I came back to work at home.

3)  How did you come about becoming a "life coach?"
I wasn't sure I was going to do graphic design or something else. But, my graphic design contract said I couldn't do any work with my former design clients. I floundered a bit unsure whether to write, design, coach, do web design again or what. I did a lot of journaling, talking with friends and doing a bit of this and that until it became clear my next career path was to be coaching. I got certified and put up my business.

4)  What's the most fulfilling part of your job?  What is the most challenging?
The most fulfilling part is taking overwhelmed people that are unsure of what is important to them and helping them crystallize what they want and get rid of the things weighing them down. I love giving clients permission not to do everything and not to have to be perfect. The most challenging is dealing with clients who aren't really committed - they don't do the assignments and don't make the changes they so clearly want to make.

5)  Dealing with people's energies can be draining, do you have anything
special you do to recharge your batteries?
Especially for me. I am ultra-sensitive so I can pick up people's moods really easily. It allows me to be a good, understanding coach - but if I don't let go of the feelings after the sessions it can be really draining.  My breaks help. I know lots of coaches like to do one session right after another, but I feel I blur people's energies that way so I spread clients out further. I also do yoga in the evening, write in a gratitude journal with my teens and watch my thoughts closely so I don't stay down too long.

6)  Where's a place on earth you would love to go and visit?  Why does it call out to you?
There is a campground that my family goes to every Labor Day weekend near the upper peninsula of  Michigan. My family and my grandmother's church have gone their for 54 years now. So I am surrounded by old family and friends who have known me since diapers. I feel childlike as I catch frogs with the kids or shiver in the cold water with my cousin. The beauty of the place with the lake surrounded by woods and white pines, walking in the sand, and seeing wildlife soothes me. I take walks by myself  or sit high overlooking the water.
The place closer at home that calls to me is the library. I love the quietness and having other's words envelope me. I feel the books as I search for the ones to get out. New titles surprising me. I love being able to sit down and not be disturbed.

7)  What direction would you like to take your life in? Where do you want to be in a few years?
I would like to help even more people through groups. I did a couple seminars this year and would like to continue to do that. I've also felt the call to do more writing and working to get published. I would also like to travel more.

8)  Is there anything special you'd like to do/learn like a new hobby?
I have so many hobbies - music, scrapbooking, genealogy, reading, writing, web design, camping, hiking, jewelry making, etc. that I keep saying I can't have another hobby. But, I get interested in things. I want to learn constellations so I can see the pictures in the night sky. I want to learn to draw. I've always had more of an artist's vision then the skill. Maybe learn to paint.

9)  What book was most beneficial to you during your journey through life?
The book Do It by Peter McWilliams, I have used over and over at different life stages. And right now I am reading Alexandra Stoddard's book You are Your Choices that is affecting how I do things.

10)  What's your favourite internet website that you go to just for fun?
I like to visit Enchanted Learnings Activity Calendars - http://www.enchantedlearning.com/activitycalendars/ I always find something new I didn't know before even though it is geared for children. And I like Comfort Queen's Mood Changer: http://www.comfortqueen.com/mood.html

Well, there you have it.  I just love Beth, so down to earth, so friendly and always helpful.  She helped me in so many ways, it was great having her in my life for those months.  I still refer back to some of the things she taught me.  Beth got me journalling again, and in touch with what I wanted with my life, there's no price tag that can be put on that!  Hope you enjoyed my interview with Beth and that you learned a little bit about coaching.  I'm at the stage in my life where I'm even thinking about hiring another coach, hmmmm, anybody know of a good coach to help me get back into working out and eating healthy? 

Comments

[Pattie]

Nice interview. I too love Beth's writings. Nice to see that others feel the same.

[melissa @ the inspired room]

This is my first visit here, I've enjoyed my look around! I was happy to see this interview, I enjoy going to her site for a little encouragement now and then myself! In fact, I think I'll head over right now (after I look around here some more, of course!).

Lovely interview, great getting to know her better!

[Jana]

Oh, Holly, I loved this interview!!!! Life coaching... I'm going to have to investigate that a little more! It sounds like a fascinating concept.

[Marcia, Organising queen]

Hi Holly

Nice interview with Beth who is also one of my favourite people :)