January 13, 2006
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Topic: Dansjournal Life-Coaching Inc. is open for business!!!!
I realize I’ve been posting a lot recently, faster than people may get a chance to read and comment. But I recently came a cross a website for a service to help people cure their anxiety/depression problems. The product was a series of cd’s and readings, along with some basic life coaching from staff over the telephone. No therapy or medications needed, just pure self-help…The cost was about $450!
Having done a decent amount of thinking, reading, and discussion about the topic of mental well-being, and having done a bit of informal coaching to people on the side, I’ve decided I’d like to announce my intentions to jump into the life-coaching marketplace.
Simply put, life-coaching is about helping people overcome their negative hangups in life, and achieve those things that bring them bliss. Using the tools of journaling and conversation, in about 3mos. I should be able to provide clear results, and in, well…let’s just say 6mos., I should be able to get someone to the point where they’re good to go on their own, doing well mentally through a good chunk of their lives. Through journaling, I can help people see more clearly how they “think” and “perceive” things, and through conversation, whether online or in person, I can help someone better understand their journaling, and to also share further thoughts. Ultimately, I aim to get people to the point where they feel truly satisfied with their lives and the direction their lives are heading (although I cannot help anyone gain complete control of their lives…because ultimately, there’s too many factors that will always be beyond our control in life).
Now…life coaching is a strange thing, because to be a coach you have to truly want to help someone, but at the same time there’s this inherent tension because the client is paying the coach money for something that could be gained for $1.50 in late fees to a public library, or for free with a conversation with a close-friend who can help someone talk through their problems. Selling this kind of service to many people for a cost of more than $1, I believe, reduces somewhat the relationship between the “coach” and the “client”.
That’s why I’m thinking of selling my service for a one-time fee of $1. That’s right…I will help people, and also talk to them like normal human beings, and at some point, any point really, I ask that that person send me $1. Cash or check. Just a simple $1 to say, “Dan, this is to recognize that you have coached me and I am willing to give up $1 in exchange for that service.”
What is my thinking behind this? Mostly so I can gain practical experience running a business, which will be easy since my expenses are none. My goals are to develop myself personally from the experience, and to gain credibility for future endeavors by gaining “clients.” The $1 is mostly to gain some credibility.
So…I’m gonna ponder this more and sharpen this up…but in the meantime, if anyone reading this is experiencing a bit of a lull in life, struggling to make or meet goals, or feels as though they could use a little life-pep talk along with some practical tools that I’ve found useful in my own life, please contact me for a free-consultation…If you’re satisfied, we’ll continue services at no extra-charge, except for a $1-fee to be paid at your convenience…
…OR, with the option of waving the fee entirely
…OR, simply making a donation to my new business. Cash, food, beer, crafts, space on your couch, reciprocal coaching or advice, or any other form of creative payment are also welcome.
For further information, please e-mail me at dan_lilienthal@yahoo.com
-Dan Lilienthal
Founder and CEO of Dansjournal Life Coaching, Inc.
Comments (5)
Dan:
Promise me you’ll take a look at these videos. This is a place where people are talking about precisely those things you’re interested in. They have a graduate program that’s relatively inexpensive:
http://www.stjohnscollege.edu/asp/main.aspx?page=1901
Also, as concerns US News rankings:
http://www.stjohnscollege.edu/asp/main.aspx?page=6563
good luck in that new business. My new startup company will be ‘Learning to Avoiding ripoffs’. Just teasing. Good luck with it…
It’s a conference that is set up and run like the United Nations General Assembly meetings. Each school represents a different country, and we are given topics that we tirelessly research. Then there are drafts and resolutions written up that are given to the UN to use as they see fit. It’s a think tank of ideas for global problems. Its a rather interesting bundle of affairs, and is held at the UN building in New York.
Hmm…I don’t know. A whole dollar? I’d have to be pretty miserable.
Cute post. Good luck starting your own business, although lacking any real revenue and expenses I am uncertain about the practicality of the experience you’ll garner. And don’t EVER forget to pay your payroll taxes, unless you want to be a wanted man for the rest of your life (the IRS never forgets or forgives).