Coaching Businesses and Life, a view from Long Beach

Tenants Right Workshop In Long Beach Today

Tenant Rights Workshop Today
There will be a free tenant rights training workshop from 6-8 p.m. at the Neighborhood Resource Center, 425 Atlantic Ave. The workshop, which is sponsored by the Fair Housing Foundation and Legal Aid Foundation of Long Angeles, Long Beach Office, will provide an overview of Fair Housing laws and additional resources that address landlord and tenant issues. To reserve your space or for more information, call 562/570-1010.

Source Long Beach Business Journal

From Children to Adults

This will seem very strange to those of you who have children but what an experience this has been having our 18 month old niece over.

Not having kids, we miss out on a lot of things.  On the flip side, having kids I am sure a lot of people miss out what we see.

I'm amazed looking at this all trusting kid, going about her life, trying to grasp the subtleties of moving around, being understood, etc.  It's hard to imagine we were once like that.  I was looking at adults in the streets today while walking her and couldn't help but smile.  I was smiling especially at the ones with attitudes or trying to look cool.  I wasn't mean, I was looking at everything from the perspective of a child and how funny it all looked.  People with tattoos, pierced this and that, pants down do hips, shirts above belly buttons, and here is 18 month old Madison saying hello to everyone regardless of how cool they were.

It's amazing to look at the whole of humanity, to see how far we come in a lifetime, to see the mistakes we make and to think we came from this place of complete humility, trust and faith.  It just made me smile and take everything from a very relative perspective.

Big Mechanic Shops vs Small Ones

Where do you go, a big shop because you've seen their signs all over town or you trust a smaller mom and pop shop?

It's no secret I like smaller shops better. For one thing, they know you, not only by name but through the relationship you forged with them through the years.  When it came time to replace the suspensions and the shocks absorbers for my 1974 Alfa Romeo spider, the choice was clear, I went to Omega Motorsports, the place I have been going for over 5 years.  I know Uwe, the owner and trust him.   Since Uwe won't do alignment, I go to International Motors  here in Long Beach, another small shop with dedicated mechanics lovers.

I could chose to go to a bigger, more well known shop but I have a hard time trusting them.  My last try at big shop resulted in buying disk breaks from the local Subaru shop that cost me $117 each.  I found the same items online for $64.  Lesson learned, there is more rapport and trust with the smaller shops that not only know you well, but also are passionate about the cars we drive.

An Epiphanie

It's a strange thing that has happened to me lately, but it was bound to happen.

Before you go any further, what I wrote here is philosophical and religious in nature.  It is very personal.  Just FYI.

After searching for so long, I was bound to stumble upon this peaceful place so many of us seek.  It's a special sense of realization, a sense of serenity, an added awareness about awareness...  The lack of words to explain this is strange for me.  This makes it all the more special and divine in its essence.

I have been reading the Corpus Hermeticum for a while now.  They are a hodge podge of manuscripts that survived the intolerant years of the church.  They are a translation of a translation from Egyptian.  According to its original translators, they are the discussions of Hermes to his son, and disciples.  You see, I love these ancient texts.  Even though they lose in their translations, they might just give you a glimpse of what the ones who came before us knew but never revealed, or only vaguely.

True to my inner belief that I would rather go to the source of all things then trust others to tell me where the light is, I love ancient hermetic texts because they are true to this philosophy.  It unites the love of philosophy with that of true, original religion.  It bridges science and faith.  I think this is something many aspire to but are left hungering for after seeing what is currently available.

Hermetic philosophy is a bit of a conundrum since it is said to be only taught from lips to ears.  However in our modern days, hermetic masters must keep a very low profile and reading about the ancient ones is about as close as you can get to the original thought system and beliefs that sparked modern religions and philosophies.

I just find it funny that books burned by the church have rekindled my love of what I consider true religion, that of wanting to be aware of The Source of All Things, out of lack of better words.  It's funny that the things that you hold as evident truth in you for so many years should eventually lead you to something you know rings true for you.  And that brings me to my last philosophical point.  I feel once you have found  your very own personal path, nothing else will do.  You find no words will even explain this and you don't have that same urge to explain God and all you see.  For after all, it is very relevant to who you are and where you are at any given moment.

In the meantime, I am enjoying reading those wonderful old books by the fountain with my faithful Bose sound canceling headsets.   I let it sink in, look up at the birds bathing in the fountain and rejoice I have enough time to be thankful.

Respectfully yours Djehuti,

Alfa Romeo News

Alfa Romeo will eat up those cute little Minis with its Mi.To.  This little thing will pack 230hp in its GTA version.  Mini watch out, Alfa is coming!

More on the US up and coming Mi.To.

How about what started Alfa Romeo's spider rebirth in the 50's with a 1961 version of its Giulietta Spider?  It just doesn't get any better when you think of typical 50 and 60 convertibles.  The comments were very nice.  most people love old cars.  They had something about them most modern ones have lost.

Of course if we talked about the tiny Mi.To that rides on the late 70s AlfaSud which I used to own, and the revival of Italian spider, which I own, you have to speak about the amazing 8C.

But Alfa is about performance sedans and that BEFORE BMW thought about it!  In the 50's Alfa came out with a small 1.9L sedan that held the road better than most cars and had that Alfa Romeo pedigree, twin-cam and since the beginning hemi chambers.  Here is the rightful modern heritage in the shape of a 159.

OK enough drooling at Alfas, let's look at what Touring is up to with talks with Ferrari?  Looks like the old house is back in the limelight again.

And while we complain and freak out with almost $5 a gallon and not $4 as the news love to say, think about what $15 a gallon would do?  Can't picture it?  Go and check out this post.

Watching Baby Grow

It's true you can learn anything from anything, so keeping your eyes wide and ears open can reveal valuable lessons.  My, how philosophical I am this morning!

Virginia's sister and our little 1+ year old niece are staying over for a week, along with my mother in law.  I am one of those extremely lucky guys who also loves his parents in law.  Watching little Madison grow up is a kick.  From observing her awkward movements, trying to even out the flow of her coordination efforts is food for thought.  She uses a complete language no one seems to understand except for her mom, and then some.  She is a very cool little girl.  Always happy.  The kind that makes you think if they were all like that, I'll take a few!

The thought that struck me was about politicians since we are in the raw of the lie-dancing parade they indulge in every 4 years.  I'm looking at the mistake Obama as made and how the McCain clan is quick to point it out.  I'm thinking about the Roves of this world and the rest of those politicians and looking at sweet little Madison, I can't but wonder they were once like that.  Yikes, what went wrong!  How did they get to go from cute little innocent and helpless infants to lip service arrogant "adults".  Arrogant, I hear is a la mode in the mud throwing battle our less than mature candidates are showing the world.

So it makes me wonder, do they have any recollection of being an infant and helpless?  Are they so full of themselves they forgot who they are, tiny specks in the continuum of life?  And I wonder do they have coaches?  What kind of coaches do they have?

As a coach, one of the most important thing we do is get to the "who".  Get to the source of the who is and why it does it and what for.  If I had a politician client, would I accept working with them knowing how their less-than-ethical millieu is?  Would I take up the challenge and work with one?  I think I would.  It would be terrific to experience what goes on at their levels and how aware are they of themselves.  What do they bring to the table, more fodder or a wind of change?  More of themselves or more of the same old stuff?

Looking at even our local politicians, I cringe seeing how they wrestle the truth in order to push their own benefits.  Our little Long Beach is one of the top 20 biggest cities in the US and still run like it was back in the 60s.  Some of our local officials still try to push projects they have interests in while people have clearly stated they weren't interested.  Looking at Madison, I can't help but wonder what makes some people grow up to be who they are?  Where did they lose themselves?

Enough Time For Italspeed Tonight!

Even though I am rushing to meet deadlines and all, I am balancing everything with enough relfection and fun.

The fun part tonight is Car Night in the greater LA area every Thursdays at different locations.  In this case, it will be at Italspeed's collection.  Oh the fun of it all!

A Rush Of Things To Do

I am swamped.  Literally!

You can work on finding out what your priorities are, what is important for you and how and when to leave time for the, working with a coach.

I have new clients coming in, Virginia's mom and sister and niece are here with us, I am picking up my little Alfa Rmeo spider with new suspensions and shocks and new tires while trying to figure out how to be in a quiet place to talk to my clients...  And I love it!

The busier I get the better I feel as long as I leave time enough for reflection, which I always seem to do.  I guess it all boils down to balancing your life.  Having a coach and being one really hones in on the fact that you need to know yourself well in order to function well. Understanding what your priorities are and leaving space for them makes almost any hectic schedule OK to tackle.

Being In Business

Being in business can be fulfilling and extremely challenging.  Having a business coach is an exponential way to get to where you want to go quicker.

I have been in business more or less on my own for over two decades.  I started out doing technical translation in the music industry, then taught languages as an independent trainer for adults.  I became I a product of my time when we embraced computers and used interactive teaching methods.  I opened up a an IT consulting company in New York City and finally, I am settling into being a professional business coach.

One thing I have learned is to build a strong support team around you.  As an independent consultant, you work on your own and once in while you are emerged in different work environments.  Knowing your strengths and weaknesses is key in choosing who you work best with.  It is crucial in choosing who will work with you and handle which tasks.  One thing I wish I had had was a business coach.  Unfortunately, it didn't exist at the time or was so new, I wasn't aware of it.

This time around, last year when I considered once and for all opening my coaching practice, I sat down in front of a business coach and together we hammered out the basics of what my practice would look like.  Who would be my clients, where would I establish it and more.  Those were the easy answers, what was trickier was looking within and having an honest look at who I was, what worked well and what needed tweaking.

A business coach is an incredible ally in this process.  Donna was able to take me to a safe and neutral place to have that honest look.  It meant a lot to me because this business venture would be different than any other I had.  This one would be carefully thought of.  This one, Tap The Source was  to be my masterpiece!  :)  And yes, true to any and most website, this one is still a work in progress.

A year later, I feel I am three years down the road had I done it on my own.  I know my clientele, women, especially in business, juggling life, handling small businesses owners and being entrepreneurs.  I understand them.

I still use my coach, though I have a different one and will have others, each have unique styles and teach me a lot, both for my business and in helping me dig in deeper to refine this awareness.  The more awareness I have, the easier it is to do what I truly love doing but doing it with efficiency.  Having a business coach is a financial investment in the beginning of a venture that leapfrogs you ahead of what you would have done on your own.

Women Feedback

I want to hear from you ladies. 

I wanted to hear from the women out there.  I am interested in getting some of your feedback.  It's no secret I love working with women.  I love the way you think, the way you handle life and your unique views on life. 

So, what are your greatest challenges in life and work?  What obstacles do you face on a daily basis?  Do you feel it is easy being yourself, fulfilling your true self and having a good job?  Are you happy at work?  What obstacles do you find there?  What makes you happy?  What does it take for you to take time out and take care of yourself?  What works for you?  What doesn’t?  Do your relationships define you?  Are you happy with your relationships?  Where do you see yourself in the future?  How do you see the role of women evolve in the future?

Let me know, I am very interested.  Thank,

Nick