In my current skill building around coaching relationships I learned a term for the space between where you are and where you want to be: edge. Two examples in my manual are:
- Trying on a new idea or perspective.
- Being a shy person and choosing to speak up.
I certainly know the feeling and suspect you do, too. That’s where the word edgy comes up–that uncomfortable place between who you are now and who you’d like to become.
The illustration in the manual is an upside-down V. Over the holidays I received a delightful holiday card from my friend and colleague Janet Siegenthaler bearing an illustration by her son Max. It was a more memorable representation than the one in my fancy notebook illustrating the unstable and scary place between those worlds. There’s the “skier” whose primary identity (shy person) is on the left. the secondary identity (one who speaks up) on the right and an arrow crossing the peak of the V pointing from the primary to the secondary. When we’re poised on the top of that mountain, it’s a tenuous place. That’s where I come in.
I want to offer my services (again) to a handful of willing participants so I can practice coach this new skill. I made a similar offer back in October after my first course with great results. Here’s a second offer with this particular skill in mind:
Again I want to practice, practice, practice. Get ready for a bargain! The first 10 people who take me up on this will get a session for $25 to discuss an edge they’d like to focus on–making more money, moving into a new arena, committing to writing THE BOOK, whatever your edge is in ’09.
The specifics:
(This offer is SOLD OUT. Watch for future ones after my classes in late January, mid-February and late March.)
- A 30-minute (to one hour session) to get support for an edge you’d like to cross over.
- Sessions are by phone at a mutually convenient time.
- Calls can be with you as an individual discussing a relationship, or you with and the other person–an edge a partnership or relationship wants to move into.
- Sample session rate offer: $25 payable by credit card
In 2009 I’ll be taking three more courses in this area, stay tuned for future offers. First come, first served!


3 comments
Comments feed for this article
January 5, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Doreen Birdsell
We have a blackboard between our kitchen and dining room that we use mostly for weather reports. At the bottom of the blackboard I have added this illustration, the inverted V – and beneath it I drew your other illustration – the straight line, representing the past followed by the dot, representing the here and now. It is both a positive reminder and a goal setter — If our guests want to know what it means I’ll be happy to share — because that’s also how getting to where you want to go works – (“Together We Can” and “You’ve Got to Give it Away to Keep It”). With regard to the latter, your giving it away to Lisa and I yesterday in our session with you gave us: Hope, direction, a coach to get us off the edge and remind us that we’re “normal” – eyes to see where we are, where we’d like to go, and help on how to get there….You’ll always be in business…since you reminded me that once I/we are over the edge another one follows — That is growth — I am of the ilk that wants one solution, one mountaintop to reach, and utter consistency. “I have arrived” is for the faint of heart…Living fearless is more like, “Here I Am — What’s Next!” Today I choose the fearless and the faithful journey.
Thank you for pulling me off the sidelines of my life a long time ago and showing me a path I could not have seen alone.
Yes, that book of mine (that you encouraged me to write) will be published in 09 if I have to bind it myself – God willing.
God bless and prosper you always,
Doreen
January 6, 2009 at 12:41 am
Laurie Davis
Oh Jane, I’d love to take you up on this great opportunity. I’m always on the edge of SOMETHING! ( he he )
Really looking forward to the soiree next week…I’m enjoying the opportunity to catch up on lots of business housekeeping this week. The pressure is temporarily off ( well, reduced somewhat) while product is being hawked at the Atlanta Gift Show. I actually blogged today!
xo-Laurie
January 6, 2009 at 8:13 pm
janepollak
@Laurie and Doreen
You’ll get to meet each other at my event on Monday night. Thank you both for your comments.
Doreen, I’m going to hold you accountable for getting your book out. I know it will bless many, many people. Your message is sacred and profound.
Laurie, you’re #10. I’ll schedule the appointments as soon as I come up for air after my party on the 12th. See you then.