‘Get Paid For Who You Are’ – entries closed

Posted by David Wood |

Update: Entries Closed.
Winner to be announced shortly!

How? It’s easy.

All you have to do, is tell me how my information over the past weeks or years (newsletters or products) has impacted your life and business.

Specifically, how has it helped you:

1) Make more of a difference in other people’s lives?

2) Increase your revenue, to create more freedom
and joy in your own life?

The most inspirational and authentic answer wins a free copy of the program, PLUS we’ll advertise your service to 70,000 coaches in our newsletter, for free. It doesn’t have to be a ~huge~ success story, just real, and success for YOU. The more specific the better.

Just answer by 6pm Pacific Sunday March 22.

Please click on Comment just below this post and I can’t wait to read your answers.

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About David Wood

For 20 years David has helped entrepreneurs around the globe to grow their results, by growing themselves. A former consulting actuary to Fortune 50 companies in New York, David quit corporate life to pursue his inner journey, which now deeply influences his work. A digital nomad, David is currently dancing salsa, paragliding, and coaching his rock star entrepreneur clients from Colombia. His specialty is doubling your productivity and profits, while halving your stress. If you become a highly authentic and inspirational leader in the process, well….that can’t be helped.

35 Comments

Leave your reply.

Kathrin Stahly
· Reply

Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 9:49 PM

I’m totally hooked on Sonny with a chance, Tawni is my favorite on the show! Thanks for posting this, I enjoyed reading it!
David Wood
· Reply

Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 11:05 PM

Thanks so much guys. The competition is now close, and the winner will be announced shortly!

I so appreciate your candid sharing.

David
Veronika
· Reply

Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 11:02 PM

1) Make more of a difference in other people’s lives?
For as long as I can remember, one of my major goals in life has been to make a difference. Over the years, I have frequently run searches and gone out looking for ways and the means to make these differences, but nothing was clicking. Then about a month or so ago, I ran a google search (good old google…), and up popped your website. I read over the information that you had to offer and was immediately intrigued. How could someone who seemed to be so different from myself have such a similar mindset and goals?
Since making that discovery, things have definitely changed and continue changing even today! I am still working toward getting my practice set up, but things are coming along nicely and as planned, I am right on the schedule I set for myself. I already have a few of my first clients and am working constantly on attaining more and more.
The thing that I really love though, is the fact that I now get the chance to live out the part of my dream that involves helping others more. Being a survivor of a massive brain injury a few years back, having had two strokes, and still being only just 24 years old (I am nearly 8 since my brain injury!), I know firsthand that life is definitely too short! I chose years ago to live each day to the fullest, and through learning from you and your program, David, I am now able to do this on a whole new level. Now, I know the questions to ask, the phrases to use, and the significance behind every gesture and comment. I have learned to just breathe when someone is frustrating me, and how to be an effective shoulder to cry on too, when that is necessary.
Reading over what I had just written here, it makes me realize… maybe the really neat thing about your program is not how it enables us to make a difference in other people’s lives, but also how it gives us the ability to see the difference that you make in each of our own lives as well.

2) Increase your revenue, to create more freedom and joy in your own life?
I call myself a “perpetual student”, meaning that I just can’t seem to stop being a student! I love to learn, and so I have to deal with this by taking more and more classes. Nothing wrong with this, but it does get a bit pricey! Which is actually what spurred me on to look into becoming a mentor in the first place. The money is right, the timing is set up by me so I know that it will fit my schedule, and I love working with people. However, one cannot make any money working at something that they can’t do at all. But it would seem, judging from the cheques that are now just starting to roll in regularly, that this is something that I can do, that I am decent at, and that I thoroughly enjoy.
This program has definitely created much more freedom in my life, which is joy in itself! I now get to pick my own hours and am my own boss, something which has always been a goal of mine. Naturally, working at this has increased my revenue as well, and having the extra cash is certainly a nice change!
Overall, I would have to say that I need to thank you, David, for putting together this program which produces stellar results and a very happy crowd of mentors/coaches!

*hugs*
~v 🙂
Vikki S.
· Reply

Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 4:45 PM

The original script in the beginning says Pacific time. I hope my response above can be included… Thank you.
Vikki S.
· Reply

Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 4:43 PM

I’m posting this because I saw the original deadline as 6pm PST….

V: God, I just want to take a moment and thank you for my coaching practice – whatever shape it’s taken, the up’s and down’s, I just wanted to thank You.
G: You’re welcome. Anything else?
V: Yes. I wanted to thank you for some of the resources You led me to four years ago. I was ½ way through coach training and realized I don’t know business, and the training wasn’t teaching me. So, I believe You led me to First Fifty Clients and 10 Super Coaches.
G: Why do you think I led you?
V: Because I have never felt taken advantage of by David Wood or his resources. I’ve always felt that he gave more than he promised, and I’ve always been able to put everything into practice, it wasn’t just theoretical. I could have spent hundreds of dollars and gotten very little, so I think You sent me to David’s resources.
G: And what have you done with it?
V: Well, I think You know, but I’ll play along! I decided to not get discouraged once training ended and actually put feelers out there for free sessions. I saw myself as having something of value to share with others and to not let money stand in the way and have the courage to negotiate it. I also felt grounded in reality – that I wasn’t going to make 6 figures my first year and that was okay, so I was free to take the baby steps to move in some people’s lives.
G: Like who?
V: Well, if I didn’t have David’s resources I couldn’t have helped the woman leaving for Mozambique make the most of her last 5 months here, who didn’t pay me full price, but paid me more than half of what I asked. Or, I wouldn’t have been able to talk with the business woman who appeared to have it all together, but couldn’t get her house cleaned because she was losing motivation in life because she was facing an empty nest in a few months.
G: I knew you’d do really well with both of them. I really like them.
V: Or, the woman living in Turkey who was going through coach training but wanted to be coached and firm up personal foundations so she could be authentic in her life, let alone her coaching.
G: She’s doing really well now.
V: And there were so many others. Because I could help them, I have been able to define success for myself which I thought was just money.
G: It ISN’T???? What else could there possibly be? (wink wink)
V: I think money is really important and I think if you don’t have enough, it’s hard to think bigger. So, using David’s resources have helped me connect to the clients that financially support me. But, success (although it includes money), also includes using my skills and abilities to help others as You lead them to me, that I have the tools to be able to reach out and help them trust that I’m not going to take advantage of them, and the wisdom to know when a client isn’t right for me – and say no. That whole ability to move in confidence and freedom brings me great joy.
G: It brings Me joy to watch you in your “flow”.
V: Well, thanks for helping me find the right resources from SolutionBox and clients!!
G: You’re welcome. Now, about your habit of procrastinating….
Jane Perdue
· Reply

Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 1:40 PM

Ten years ago I experienced my very first session with an executive coach and what a life-defining moment it was. I knew, deep in my bones, that someday I would make the leap from Corporate America employment to that of an executive coach. And, after absorbing your emails and webinars and being inspired by your message and your obvious glee in what you do, I left the corner-office-with-your-very-own-personal-assistant job and now proudly say that I am a coach and inspire others to make positive changes in their lives.

My ‘coachees’ have been promoted, have changed careers, have found long lost friends, have found themselves, have found peace, have discovered a deeper essence of who they are, and even learned that they like chocolate! They awake each day, looking forward to life — just as I do. Everytime a spark ignites in one of my clients, my spirit soars.

As to noting how my revenue has soared…while that’s another story with a not-so-successful outcome. Corporate America treated me well with a yummy six-figure salary that I have yet to achieve as a coach. But someday, with more inspiration and guidance from you, that outcome will change.

So, I was able to fufill just half of the message that you requested. Yet, I feel so satisfied with my career change and the new lifestyle that goes with it that I’m willing to take the time it takes to get the ramped-up paycheck back. I’m hoping that your continued messages will make the salary rampup a really short one!

David — please keep inspiring and sharing and being your own best advertisement for success!
Cristy Coates
· Reply

Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 3:50 AM

To be honest, it’s just lovely to check the mail and know something uplifting, inspirational and practical lies behind the incoming message labelled “Solution Box”. The message description is always to the point, yet fun and playful.

While I am still in the midst of my studies, I am gathering valuable tools I am piecing together into a format I feel happy with- in my own time, in my own way. This, in itself is pretty huge for me…that cheeky, persistant Critical Cristy has been a major stakeholder in my internal stock market, and has operated on a now, Now, NOW!! basis for..well, since memories began for me.

I decided she could take the backseat for a while, when I began looking into meaningful vocation prospects for myself (enter Solution Box via Google search).

At first, I was terrified by the thought of all the fandangled ‘internet stuff’- not my forte, lets say (Critical Cristy kind of glowers)… But, David- your explanations are really easy to understand and provide practical, easy to use steps. Even for internet ‘illits’ like me!

Since that time, I have attended to my health and wellbeing in a completely new way- and am enjoying the benefits of this immensely. It is the messages, ideas and networks I have been connected to through my initial search which keep me moving towards what I would like my life to look like, and being satisfied with what it is like in the meantime.

For me, learning to be gentle in my enthusiasm has been the biggest lesson for my health and wellbeing. Rather than running adreneline, I am able to relax into the already abundantly filled space of joy and fulfilment inside of me- which can’t help but spread itself throughout my life and to all I meet.

I’d like to say, too- all of it’s a process…health, well being, vocation, business. I’m certainly not ‘cured’ of Critical Cristy- in fact, I work to help integrate her into my life in ways which work for both of us. She has really positive aspects- she likes and aims for excellence, she seeks improvement and growth, and she holds me to my word. I’m just helping her do these things (which are important to both of us) in ways which are constructive and supportive for ALL of me. It’s a process. I find out more about her everyday- as well as all those other hidden parts of myself. It can be easy to get lost in it all- I am a deep thinker and sensitive soul. The key for me is keeping those things which bring me joy, inspiration and motivation in my life as a work this process…personally, professionally and spiritually. You have provided one of those supportive tools. I can maintain my lovely sensitivity, while building a greater base of resilience.

Thank you for your input into my process!
Lisa Gibson
· Reply

Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 2:39 AM

OOPPS very embarrassing – please delete the first…that wasn’t meant to be sent!!

Lisa
Lisa Gibson
· Reply

Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 2:35 AM

Hi David,

The fact that I’m writing this means that I’m on the verge of changing my life…! I want you to know how much of an impact your presence and inspirational newsletters and e-mails can have on individuals’s lives. I am a Secondary School teacher and also a Master Practitioner in NLP ( Nuero-Linguistic Programming). When I finished the course last year I knew that my future involved children and making a difference. After listening to your First Fifty Clients speech I sat down and created my business which I called Turning Point. Not only is it a “turning point” in my life but also in the lives of children who are struggling with dyslexia, AD/HD and also emotional and behavioural problems caused by bereavement /divorce. I have stepped into my life purpose which is to be the spark and inspiration that brings out the true potential in others! So like you, I absolutely love lighting people up and also giving children wings so that despite being labelled with a learning disorder they have the ability to unleash their boundless potential. I work co-operatively with the parents so that the whole family is empowered. Recently, I have been looking at what else is possible for me as I have so much to offer however right now I am only seeing a handful of families a week. As you said it’s about getting your idea out to tens of thousands of people not just 10! So, I would really LOVE a blueprint guide on HOW to do this as 15 years of teaching in a classroom hasn’t given me the business and internet skills I need! I really can’t wait to take it to the next level and create an exciting and rewarding life with many more ripples…!
Once again David… .thankyou for being such and inspiration for me and now so many other children and families….x
Lisa Gibson
· Reply

Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 2:27 AM

Hi David,

The fact that I’m writing this means that I’m on the verge of changing my life…! I want you to know how much of an impact your presence and inspirational newsletters and e-mails can have on individuals’s lives. I am a Secondary school teacher and also a Master Practitioner in NLP ( nuero-linguistic programming). When I finished the course last year i knew that my future involved children and making a difference. After listening to your First Fifty Clients speech I sat down and created my business which I called Turning Point. Not only is it a turning point in my life but also in the lives of children who are struggling with dyslexia, AD/HD and also emotional and behavioural problems caused by bereavement /divorce. I have stepped into my life purpose which is to be the spark and inspiration to bring out the true potential in others! So like you, I absolutely love lighting people up and also giving children wings so that despite being labelled with a learning disorder they have the ability to unleash their true potential. I work co-operatively with the parents so that the whole family is empowered. Recently, I have been looking at what else is possible for me as I do have so much to offer however right now I am only seeing a handful of families a week. As you said it’s about getting your idea out to tens of thousands of people not just 10! So, I would love and appreciate a blueprint guide on HOW to do this as 15 years of teaching in a classroom hasn’t given me the business and internet skills I need! Once again David… .thankyou for being such and inspiration for me and now other children and families….( watch the ripples….!!)
Sander Strother
· Reply

Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 2:21 AM

How has David Wood impacted my life in the last couple of years? Alright, well the first email I can find in my saved box is “Welcome to the ‘Create a Life’ Newsletter” dated Thu 9/13/2007 10:33 pm. I have always liked the frank style, though I have never actually bought anything from Solution Box or any other coaching type service. I have received a lot of free coaching and training from Solution Box. Unfortunately I have not made a huge difference in a lot of people with my coaching or implemented most of the free coaching tips. But, I have a lot of good ideas and I plan to start making that difference in the future. It has just taken me a little longer than expected to get the ball rolling.

Here is my story. I have a college degree in Management and Economics. I originally wanted to be a business incubator. But, I first became a drug store assistant manager. Then (very soon thereafter, I didn’t care much for the polyester suit at the drug store), I trained to become an insurance claims adjuster. Six years later I started my own independent claims adjusting company. I had a few really good years, then the nature of the business changed, slowing dwindling my customer base.

Early on in my adjusting career, I designed and patented a pickup truck canopy called SoftshellTM (US patent 5,186,513). I wrote the patent myself, developed prototypes, bought a lot of equipment, wrote a very nice business plan, had a lot of great dreams, spent a lot of money, and never converted anything to sales.

After 10 years of owning my own claims adjusting business, I decided to take a sabbatical and try my hand at writing, but after a lot of money and time I had the same result, never converted anything to sales. Same thing with the pool business I was going to buy, the State Farm insurance agency I was going to buy into, and a few other pet projects.

Beginning primarily for my own family, I have recently spent a lot of time and effort looking at the learning process for kids with ADHD and other inattentive learning challenges. I have developed what I believe to be a very good program to educate both students and parents dealing with these issues. The gist is based upon two principals, “Kids will do well if they can” (a concept of Ross Green, Ph.D.) and Intelligence can be grown (a concept studied by Carol Dweck, Ph.D.). These concepts are simple, but the application requires time to ingest and a change in mindset.

I am neither a teaching professional nor a physiological expert. But I am developing material intended to be a compilation of third party information and resources, packaged in what I believe is a very practical learning strategy. It is my goal, not to create new theory, but to coach and motivate individuals through the process of applying good principals and creating good habits.

Here is a rough outline of my coaching plan. I want to target kids with ADHD, particularly those with inattentive ADHD (previously known as just ADD). These are kids that routinely hear “If Johnny just tried a little harder, he would do great” or “Johnny just needs to apply himself and work a little faster”. This is the type of kid who would rather sit for HOURS looking at homework rather than actually doing a single problem. Ten minutes of homework could take hours to complete and cause extreme frustration for the parents. They don’t need a tutor, they need a coach to teach them how (and why) to learn. The parents just need a break. They need to become the cheerleader and allow someone else to coach.

That is where I come in. I have found some great resources to address all of these issues.
The program creates hope, builds skills, confidence, and motivation. But kids don’t fit into a cookie cutter, so a good coach needs to help them through the process.

My coaching program would start with understanding the personality, learning style, current skill set, and aspirations of the child or young adult (anywhere from around 10 years to 25 years old). ADHD and many other learning disabilities are caused by a developmental delay in cognitive skills. There are web based and stand alone programs that can exercise and build these skills (Cogmed™, LearningRX™, Brain Age, Resco, Lumosity, and others). I currently like Lumosity because it is an adaptive brain exerciser (gets harder when you do well and easier on your off days). They all require less than 10 minutes a day.

The better of these programs will target memory, organization, prioritizing, sustaining attention and effort, and managing frustration. These same principles, and others, are also taught in Brainology™ and WhyTry™.

The interactive Brainolgy™ online program focuses on growth based intelligence. It shows in an animated way, how the brain grows and connects new neurons and gets stronger with exercise. Kids aren’t smart or dumb, they are learning and growing, and difficulties understanding are just part of the normal learning process. Kids grow in spurts. The program addresses positive learning habits, including repetition and multi-sensory application (from an animated middle school perspective).

WhyTry™ is a workbook based training system using visual and musical analogies to “…create hope and an answer to the question Why Try in life?”. The system has ten lessons focusing on goals and creating a vision for the future, peer pressure, overcoming obstacles, consequences of decisions, negative labels, keeping societies laws and rules, anger management, and creating a support system. It is, bar none, the best system I have seen to address these issues.

My coaching program continues by teaching strategy using board games, like tic-tac-toe, to teach strategy, planning, and intentional behavior. I want to go into being intentional about school (study habits and skills), money, employment, and even business ownership. For the older kids and young adults, I will recommend games like Robert Kiyosaki’s “The Cash Flow Game”, Dave Ramsey’s money management DVD, and various other money management books and resources.

And, because I have always wanted to be a business incubator, I can even guide those who want to turn a hobby into a business. This will be a great motivation tool to promote business understanding. The process is very straightforward. In a nut shell, the process is to set up a simple sole proprietorship, buy a product you like at wholesale, brand it with your own name and logo, and sell it. It can be sold by word of mouth, event based display booths, or by flyer through a simple website using Paypal. I am helping my son set up a business selling skateboards (with his own unique brand and logo) right now that will cost under $500. (He is already getting a clear picture why he needs to pay attention in math, lol).

As you can see, I have created a coaching system using other people’s expertise. My goal is to just make sure they (kids and parents) are intentional about success and actually implement some or all of the strategies. While David Wood through SolutionBox hasn’t given me strategies for working with kids, his constant emails and advice have helped shape the way in which I have organized and hope to present my information. I still don’t have any clients, but David Wood, and other similar mentors have helped me stay motivated and confident that I can succeed in this endeavor.

Now, with the “Get Paid for Who You Are” system, I am thinking I might be able to actually automate some of my coaching method with emails and YouTube videos. That would be great, but truthfully, right now, I just want to get some clients. I am pretty good a organizing and planning, but I am stuck in a rut when it comes to actually making a dime. I really could use some help getting the cash flow started.

Best of luck to whoever reads this,
Sander Strother
Valerie Baker (Val)
· Reply

Friday, March 20, 2009 at 6:46 PM

Hi David,
Wow! Talk about fate, serrendippity, or whatever! I am a firm believer in the old adage, “When the student is ready, the teacher will come!” I am really hoping that maybe my teacher has finally arrived! I have been receiving your e-mails for quite some time. I didn’t pay much attention because I was too busy chasing dreams that I just couldn”t make a reality. I have a Master’s degree in Community Psychology, and started my own consulting businness and offered personal development workshops. I do have a speech impediment because of cerebral palsy, but am still very understandable. The problem is that many people don’t want to have to work at listening. In 2002 I started working at what I thought would be my dream job for the rest of my life. Unfortunately the government pulled the plug on the job, and I felt the essence of who I was slowly evaporating. (not a teriffic feeling!) I now operate a store on eBay, which is ok, but is basically something to hide behind. I just don’t feel the passion about it or life that I used to feel. I need to work with people in a way that suits my abilities and skills. For some time I’ve seriously comtemplated the notion of being a life coach, and offering my services on line, (which would essentially eliminate people’s discomfort with my speech) but haven’t got a clue as to how to do it and get it right. When I opened your e-mails and watched your videos this week, it was like the flame was lit once again! However, living on a piddly disability allowance, snd what ever I scrape together from eBay, there is no way I could ever get that kind of money to pay for such intensive training as you offer. (At least not until I get established and known!) Wanting to Get paid for what I love to do is not a bad thing.

The areas I would like to focus on with my life coaching would be working in a supportive role with children and adults with disabilities and/or catastrophic illnesses, or who are terminally ill, as well as significant others in their lives.(parents, spouses, siblings, teachers, siblings, employers, etc. The possibilities are endless!) I have the knowledge, skills, and drive! I just need a valid way to do it that makes sense given my capabilities and limitations. I am absolutely positive that this training program would open up possibilities for me that I hadn’t even dreamed of, and would allow me to help others to see their lives as meaningful, and to live as fully in the moment and beyond as possible!
Thanks for listening David,
Val
David Wood
· Reply

Friday, March 20, 2009 at 3:09 PM

I love the thought and energy you’re all putting into your answers.

Thank you,

David
john mccall
· Reply

Friday, March 20, 2009 at 1:53 PM

David , I sit my final assessment on Monday (23 March 2009 ). So to answer your question………You haven’t!

BUT

You will

John
Don Child
· Reply

Friday, March 20, 2009 at 12:44 PM

I can’t really say that you programs have inspired me to increase my business, but they have inspired me to get my business going … at last. You see, I’ve been through training as a health coach, but was afraid to let go of my “day” job as a technical writer, since that pays the mortgage. Health coaching was something I would do someday, when I was ready to retire.

Well, I’m not ready to retire, but I’m ready for a bit of fulfillment in my own life. I want to do something that I really enjoy doing, and that is helping other people strive to live an optimal life. So I bit the bullet. I hired a business coach, I’m sifting through hundreds of competing Web sites to narrow my focus, and by this summer, will have fully launched Health Is Your Destiny.

Keep your eyes open. Six months from now, you may well find yourself wondering why you hadn’t heard of me and my coaching business earlier. I may be older than you, and in some ways wiser, but not when it comes to getting a coacing businss up and running. I bow to you on that … you’ve done an excellent job, and have inspired me to set high standards for myself. See you at a conference, one of these days.
Brent Burns
· Reply

Friday, March 20, 2009 at 12:24 PM

Interestingly, you came into my world in person. We were all attending Marcia Weider’s Inspiring Speakers workshop in San Francisco two years ago and Marcia conned you into making an impromptu presenation for our group.

I honestly have no memory of what you presentation topic was, but in that presentation, you shared some of your personal challenges with relationships, not being able to sleep, high stress and the like. Things that I was dealing with at the time. More importantly, you then shared how you had conquered those demons and now were living the life of your dreams.

Your presentation, in concert with the other presenters and topics, made it clear in my mind that I could acheive similar results, and I set an intention to move forward in becoming a coach and speaker. I also learned to handle my stress, learned to sleep again and, two years later, my dream of becoming a coach and speaker is realized. I have clients, I am earning revenue, and I am certain that in very short order, I will be fully fulfilled and doing my life’s work. The joy has returned to my life, and the freedom that this profession provides is helping me to become a better husband, father, member of my church and leader in my community.
Alan Wayne
· Reply

Friday, March 20, 2009 at 12:09 PM

PS to then above./ His friend is a professional advisior that I have an initial intake interview with today to see if my services would be correct for him too.

Alan Wayne
Life Coach Alan Wayne
· Reply

Friday, March 20, 2009 at 12:05 PM

David,
Although I have been doing sales training for years, along with public speaking and many other things, I always wanted to something for people who just needed someone to help them perhaps a mentor or guide. I know that the most successful people in the world in every area, are there because someone else took an interest in them. I wanted to be that person for others who had the same learning challanges that i did (and do). I am also 61 and have had many opportunities to reach the top and did, only to find that i didnt know that I was there and what to do next. I was looking at options as to how could I reach people and I investigated and became certified as a Life Coach. I was now going to in a structured format be able to do and live my lifes dream.

The current economic situation caused thru no fault of my own , the necessity to find a new way to thrive. With both feet firmly planted in the air, I put into practice my own seminar teachings.

That brings us to two weeks ago. I was having breakfast with a friend of mine who told me of a client/friend of his who was in bad shape. about to lose his business not being able to secure financing after the bank he was with folded. He was spending all hnis time chaseing funds, unanle to deliver his product and as a retired Marine, just would not quit. My friend said, Alan, give him a call – you and he would really hit it off!
I did, Now as a coach, I am always happy to give some information away, to make sure my prospective client and I are a good fit. It was also an opportunity to allow me the possibility to help anouther save their business. I like small business high energy folks.

I called him, introduced myself as a friend of a friend and listened to his story. What he was doing, how he got into trouble and it was the end of the eleventh hour and he was still at his shop. knowing the next day he was being evicted and had 2 days to leave.

Am I a coach and mentor and does this individual meet all my requirements – absolutly. Is he bankable – today not a chance.

I told him that I would help him in the following way. my rules 1. Every word out of his mouth had to be true. 2. On the phone, we were going to work thru a series of goals,. obsticles and solutions. every obsticle he could think of and at least one more solution. I told him that there was no fee. No obligation and expect the end result – Goal achieved. one goal after anouther, some of the goals might have to be readdressed, and some victories would create new goals.

We created a priority list .GOALS. – he worked and I asked questions. q and a and a. Because I know nothing about constructing anything (Home depot will allow me to purchase anything that comes with instructions:) I just kept asking and together we arrived at a simple solution – we did not have fix the whole picture, he just needed to get the next part out the door, and the next and the next, I introduced him to an accountant, who was able to arrange the funds necessary to put one foot forward.

Now, I had worked a win win solution. The accountant (who also helped out as a friend) has the potential for new business with a client that he works well with, My friend, looks like a hero, I had a baptism under fire, and learned that goals do not have to be years away, sometimes just a day or two. I found that I am a good listener and and my life time learning skills work.
Its almost the end of the story. My coaching fees are at the higher end of the scale, the number of direct clients that I want to work with is limited, I have built my previous business on referrals, and this one will be no different, and I always want to have a waiting list of people waiting to see me. and their is that different learning ability nitch.

He said on the phone last time we spoke (last night around 11 – he was doing his thing in a new location) “So that’s what a Life Coach Does. Ok,” he said, would you take me as a client and what do I have to do.
I told him that I would be happy to and that I work with clients for a minimum period of three months to twelve. I am paid in advance and that there are areas that I do not do starting with therapy – and counciling.
What I do is work with folks like you reach your goals.

David, I put everything that I have on the line for this new business, and know that I will be able to help people reach goals and thanks to you – I am able to become better and part of a great helping profession.
Thats my story, cant wait for the new launch, and wish you every success.
Sincerely,

Alan Wayne
Professional Life Coach
Edie Kay
· Reply

Friday, March 20, 2009 at 10:39 AM

I am a brand new coach – just finishing up my training and certification two weeks ago. After finishing my course, I was excited, thrilled and ready to start!! Only problem is, I didn’t quite know how! 😉

I came across David Wood’s website while looking for coaching resources online – something that would help me figure out the question of: “okay, what do I do next?” I am a huge believer and practictioner of manifestation through gratitude, meaning, I knew that I would attract the exact right people to work with in my coaching career to match my own vision – not just for my coaching practice, but for my life. That’s how David’s website came to me, I have no doubts.

1) How have I used his inormation to “make more of a difference in other people’s lives?” This one is easy! One of the first things I cam across on David’s website was the “First Fifty Clients” recording of a speech he gave. In this speech, David not only walks you through EXACTLY what to do to get your first fifty clients, but more importantly, he reminds us who to be in order to get the first 50 clients. I immediately went to work, why? Because there could be no fear in picking up that phone to contact people I love and care about because I thought they might be able to use the information. I took the focus off myself, and how good I needed to sound or professional I needed to look to them, and knew that I was going to make all those exploratory sessions completely about them! Not only was there no pressure in this brilliant and pure approach, but it was HUGE for the 8 people I have already worked with. Most of them had never had a block of 40 minutes of their time devoted entirely to them and to their thoughts and feeling, and DREAMS! So many people have never ever been asked what they want! Every one of the participants in the exploratory sessions has thanked me sincerely, for spending that time with them and for shedding light on some things they had tucked away and thought they had lost. The funny thing is, I didn’t shed any light on anything – THEY did it, and they were able to do it, but me taking David’s advice and getting myself out of the way long enough for them to see who they are. It is a beautiful thing and I am JACKED to reach as many people as I can in the same way!

2) How has it increased my revenue, to create more freedom
and joy in your own life? Well, I don’t have a ‘paying’ client, yet, since I’m only two weeks into this – BUT I have absolutley no doubt that those paying clients are on their way! My coaching and speaking revenue will not only replace the income I’m making in my current home business, but I fully expect it to replace my husband’s income as well. This increase in revenue will allow me to spend more time with my family, travel the world – interacting and learning from as many people as I can and being an inspiration to everyone I come across that life is meant to be FULLY LIVED! For me, there is no greater joy than seeing people realize they DO have dreams, and those dreams ARE worth going for. Working with David, I feel limitless to the amount of people I can reach with that message and the inspiration I have within me.

~Edie Kay

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Doug Breitbart
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Friday, March 20, 2009 at 10:35 AM

David,

It was about 10 years after a life-changing weekend workshop, and a decade of learning and growing as an individual, a parent, a professional, an entrepreneur, a teacher, and a consultant that I found my way to SolutionBox. It was November of 2005, and you were on issue #48 with, at that time 35,542 subscribers in 91 countries, and I had decided it was time to explore the world of coaching. I think it took almost a week to read everything that was accessible from that first Newsletter, and related links, and materials.

By the time I was done, I realized that clearly there was far more information and insight available than I had any idea existed; and, that as far as I could tell, you were clearly committed to assisting those interested in pursuing coaching professionally (by providing massive amounts of information and advice and resources) without the primary motivation being money before value and benefit. At least for me, that somewhat closed the deal and I have been a devoted reader of your site ever since.

Over the past 3 years, it has been a slow steady process of reading the Newsletter, following links, and slowly but surely, shifting my self-perception and self-awareness about both what I bring to the world in my professional life, and what I bring to my clients in my consulting practice. I had seen all of the Internet marketing gurus and heroes of the self-realization business; but, I consistently found your emails and offerings more human and more relational since you were as open-book about your own personal process in the doing of it, as you were about the mechanics and elements required.

The dots finally connected for me, as a direct result of your most recent series of emails on two levels. First, I finally had clear definition of the array of expertise and offerings I was capable of delivering to a much broader base and clientele; and, I could actually see the path to execution to set up the platform and content and relationships to take those offerings to market.

I am involved with organizations and projects years in development that address saving our world, in large scale concrete ways, related to the environment, ending sectarian violence, and delivering lifesaving information to those in greatest peril in war-torn and third world villages around the world. My professional world is exclusively comprised of saving the world ventures and initiatives.

I provide consulting and professional services creating unique not-for-profit and for profit organizational structures that enable these undertakings to procure funding and succeed in their mission. I am mission critical to the principals or these client organizations and often a catalyst for their growth and vision development.

The insight you have provided to me regarding my own personal “launch” will in fact be played forward, to the extent I have the ability to influence these organizations and undertakings that comprise my clientbase. On an institutional level, their process is truly no different, from the standpoint for defining their value and contribution to the world, and utilizing the correct approach and process to leverage their support and maximize their impact.

So, although your help to me is no different in kind then the help you have provided to thousands of individuals seeking to help others and develop their own independence; in fact, you will have a far broader reach and impact than you might have imagined. What is that analogy to throwing a stone in the water. . .

With my sincerest thanks,

Doug Breitbart
Joanne
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Friday, March 20, 2009 at 9:12 AM

Hi David,
Thanks so much for your timely Email! I have a part time coaching business, but in reality I have been coaching for 25 years in my full time business. That’s what made be decide to get some training and take it a step further. Coaching and the blessing of asking questions is a passion. I love to work with people and help them to grow in all areas of their life. I think as I help others to grow I personally grow more and more. It is amazing that I don’t have to be an expert in each area of a person’s life that I am coaching, just an expert in coaching. I love what I do and hope to have my part time business grow more in the future. Your materials are so simple and easy to understand. Thank you for taking the time to help and motivate me and others to grow more and more with every email you send. I am truly grateful for having found your website and info.
Jill Hall
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Friday, March 20, 2009 at 7:24 AM

1. How to make more of a difference in other people’s lives.
Well, here goes. I am a 47 year old Real Estate Sale’s Person who is and has been for the last 6 years completely burnt out on my career….but I have continued because…..where else can I go and make this kind of money? I am established and was very passionate about the business at one time. I was so excited that I could make a difference in other people’s lives by helping them in their very personal search for a home. I worked day and night …listing houses, showing houses, counseling people on everything from buying the home to overcoming the shock of relocating to a different area (I really have been a life coach and never realized it). When I was passionate about my career…I could not turn it off….I was creative and excited….but now that I have lost my passion for the business….I just go through the motions everyday and I have no energy to motivate myself to come up with new and creative ideas as I once did. When I listen to David talk about what he does for a living…how he gets up in the middle of the night because a new idea pops in his head…..it reminds me of how I once was….I want to feel that way again. I want to be “more than just a face in the crowd.” I know it sounds hokey….but I am tearing up just thinking about how unhappy I am and how empty my heart has been for the last 6 years. My dream is to become a life coach…but I would also like to make a difference in the lives of people by teaching people that they can afford to practice preventitive medicine by eating organic and cleaning up their toxic environments….. My Mother died from lung cancer at the young age of 46….I have always wanted to be healthier in my diet and lifestyle but felt completely overwhelmed by the expense and major changes in my life and diet that it would require to do it right. I recently…January 1, 2009…switched my home and family to organic living….I am not weathly…and the RE market is slower so I have had to learn ways to overcome the expense of changing to this lifestyle….I have done major research and can honestly say that I am PASSIONATE about living a green life to improve my health. I am so excited about it that it is all I want to talk about….but I am very sad when I talk to people and they say that they can’t afford to eat organic. I want to teach them that they can.
Okay…enough drama….I really am a fun lighthearted person when I am happy and living my passion…..

2. Increase your revenue to create more freedom.
I love….love…love…did I say love?…..David’s marketing talent and ability to teach people that they can do it? I have truly been stuck….I have bought books…listened to telecourses…yada yada yada…..but I never follow through, because even though I understand everything that I am reading and I know that it works….I get overwhelmed and throw in the towel.
David’s free video on breaking down the steps to getting started….really spoke to me….since I listened to it and wrote the steps down…I have pulled out my books on web marketing and with his steps in hand the book seems less taxing to me. David really is an inspiration and I love that he is taking his passion and passing it on to other people. I have not started my business yet….but he has convinced me that “I CAN”. This is a huge step toward producing revenue stream. Thank you for sharing. Here is a great big cyber HUG!!!!!!
Sarah
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Friday, March 20, 2009 at 7:17 AM

I’ve spent several years since graduating college searching for that balance between “career” and passion. I have for as long as I can remember had this unending passion to guide families and their children to reach their full potential. By this I mean to give each family the proper tools, motivation and map to create a healthy outlook on life and achieve what each of us has been given to share with “the world.” I’ve worked every angle of social service jobs…with nothing but frustration left for me. The system may have been created with good intentions, but is now bogged down by bureaucracy and mountain of paper work to document every second of the day.

Now, almost ten years since graduation, feeling like my passion did not have a home and wondering where I can offer my experiences and knowledge to others and find the fulfillment I’ve heard others talk about but have never felt myself…it has arrived. Now I need to bottle it, slap a label on it and go…into cyberspace! I am not technology minded and am still clueless on how to develop, set up and launch a website, but I am also a fast learner and know that I can do it with a blueprint. I also realize I need to keep some of my energy for face to face time with clients, as I am a huge believer in the power of presence.

I am still in the infantile stages of this endeavor, however, I have found the tool bag and map… I’ve never lost the motivation. Somebody say “Ready, Set…GO!” As a young child I used to say to myself, “I must be destined to do something great.” That was how I coped with my mother suddenly dying in a car accident when I was just 8 years old. She put me on this earth and her life was a constant struggle. I remember feeling the stress and strain on everyone. She told me I was the one good thing she had in her life. I cannot let her down.
Avis Ng
· Reply

Friday, March 20, 2009 at 4:09 AM

Fed 15, Age 24, got my first job in a 3rd world country with no chance of escaping from the rat race, stress, over time and under paid career. Basically my society live to work, work and more work.

March 20, Age 24, I found the SolutionBox to end my hardcore search for a dream job! David gave me hope to walk the road less travel, a hope to break free from working 9-6pm.

1) Make more of a difference in other people’s lives?
With deveoping and growing a high traffic website and coaching business (with the help from solutionbox) I can recreate people’s career dreams they once held, I can be a witness of a successfull online business owner. And this is crucial for 3rd world society where career dreams are liken fastasies/childish and bright future are only for the rich. I believe I can make a HUGE change to my suppress society when the government are not taking any interest.

2) Increase your revenue, to create more freedom
and joy in your own life?
By reading, hearing and witnessing David’s accomplishment, I am confident that I can do it too, with my 100% commitment (Because I don’t see my future in my current job). Thus far I am working on my coaching school and web site developement, with all of David’s jump start manual I can increase my revenue and will quite my job for a more rewarding coaching business, and having more time to share and impact my society, friends, family’s lives.

I really appreciate David, because he already pave the way, I just have to start my journey!

Avis Ng
Maggie Currie
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Friday, March 20, 2009 at 1:24 AM

David’s work is just magical. I have not only learned so much that is necessary to teach others how to be more confident, but additionally I also learned so much more about myself from the inside out. Since receiving all the newsletters and articles from David I have gone on to change my life and many other people’s lives and have loved every minute of it. Keep it coming, there is never too much to learn and self improvement is continuous throughout our lives. This has improved my income dramatically and given me and others the freedom to live the lives they want to live. Thanks
David Wood
· Reply

Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 9:58 PM

I’m loving your stories – thank you so much for sharing.

I look forward to reading more 🙂
Sophie Martel
· Reply

Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 8:25 PM

I don’t believe in chance, or luck, or coincidence anymore. Everything happens for a purpose. I’m not a certified coach (yet?), but I do coach people in my practice (I’m an author, a massage therapist that uses massage to introduce consciousness into people, and I also lead personnal development workshops) I “met” David while searching informations on coaching, on the net.

I’ve been charmed immediately by his sense of humor, his simplicity, and his incredible insight. His wise words help me enlarge my own vision of things. His tips on how to expand a business are precious to me – I’m using them right now, since I’ve just started a new approach using the net. I haven’t seen the results for now, because I just launched my websites, after months of hard work. I’m always looking forward to reading David’s newsletter, because it helps me clear my vision and get rid of what’s in the way – in my mind, that is. It helps me to keep the focus on what really matters. David’s clear and simple way motivates me to go forward in my life, to become a better person – yes, I can still improve, believe it or not! – and most of all to have fun doing it.

I particularly liked the newsletter called “God Dialogue” that I read a couple of weeks ago. What a touching and inspiring experience. I promised myself I would sit down and do that too, just to see what God has to tell me, on my next day off…

I’m keeping David’s messages in a file for further consultation. It’s priceless! Thank you David for being so transparent and generous. You are an example to me. So many people keep everything for them, or sell every bit of information they can. Your newsletter may be free, but it includes really helpful, fresh and open-hearted stuff.

(I’m sorry if there are some unusual expressions or mistakes in my comments – I don’t speak English that often, I’m much more better in French, and my websites are filled with french only material – for now…)
Renee
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Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 7:54 PM

The information over the past few weeks and years has changed me and my life. I am presently starting up my own business, in Sydney Australia. Your newsletters have inspired and empowered me to be me. Be true to me and to live my passion. And only then can you truly be all you can be. Your work has given me so many gifts that I can take and improve other peoples lives and business as well. I love your sense of humour….. If I was blonde I would give you my first child. ( but Im brunette ).!!!! Your videos are fabulous. Keep inspiring and changing peoples business and lives . Love your work.
gloria
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Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 7:05 PM

Thank you for showing up… i really believe in you and the law of attraction that sent you to me… or i found you.. thanks so much.. now that i have a web site i will adjust it to the stream of life coaching.. i am enjoying the information you send out and believe me.. if i could win this get paid to launch .. i will have achieved my first goal..
i am a winner and i want to invest in peoples lives to see them soar to new heights that they could never have dreamed .
so thank you for your inspiration and being a springboard for me to rise up

warmest regards
gloria bjork
Sonny Davis
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Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 7:03 PM

Greetings David,

My name is Sonny Davis. I’m 28. David you have helped me to take my love of rhythm and drumming and my passion for helping others and create a little operation I like to call Rhythm Coach.

I experience a degenerative muscle disorder in the body mind known as Muscular Dystrophy. I walk with a cane and also use a wheelchair. I know that all my life I have enjoyed a certain degree of “fame” amongst family, friends and community. The reflection I receive from others has always been one of inspiration and gratitude. I took this valuable life feedback and made the decision to practice coaching, hone skills, perfect and refine my articulation, coach as many people as I could and discover a way to profit by it. It has certainly been an awesome journey.
After a number of workshops, warrior camps, sweat lodges and Harv Ekerthons I am now at a place where I am giving my deepest gifts fully and presently.

You have indeed passed onto me your transmission of inspiration and power. Gratitude. 3 years ago I began my coaching training after purchacing your Coach Start program. I put up a website, started a newsletter, collected many emails and began my exploratory sessions.

Now I help people to discover what it is they truly and deeply want to gift the world. Wheather it’s art or music, shamanic journeying or empowering their voice through Beat Boxing.

What I offer is a combination of rhythm and life coaching. With the drum, I have helped people change the rhythm of their own lives.

Professionally speaking David, your work, your product and well YOU, have been a catalyst to my business growth. I am the observer to myself. As I grow, so does it.

To me, this is a spiritual process.

Blessings brother.
Thank you for your gift.

Love in Action,
Sonny N’ Chair

http://www.thinkrhythm.com
Julie
· Reply

Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 3:53 PM

You have been in my life David since 2006 when I took a coaching program through Erikson College in Vancouver, BC – I raved about you then and rave about you now. My journey has been long and wandering and stillI am not coaching. Your recent emails were so timely. AFter reading the Alchemist by Paolo Coehlo I knew I was on the right path – everything became clear about my life. I know that coaching is my passion and the next step for me on my journey. The timing is as perfect as all the events in my life leading up to this moment. I’m IN!!!!!!!!!!
Soelvi Haavik
· Reply

Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 3:49 PM

Four months ago I became a mother for the first time, at age 37.It has so far been a life changing experience, from being a “free”, happy go lucky person who has always been searching for my next adventure around the world (being it a prisoner in an African jail or acting in a Japanese TV soap) to become totally focused on the current and future wellbeing of my child. You see, I’m concerned about how most people live their lives; stressing about for material success, and totally forgetting that we actually live here and NOW. After the birth of my daughter I want to make sure that she grows up in a much slower and authentic environment. I want her to grow up knowing how dirt feels under her feet and what a real ragù tastes like after its been cooking for days on end. Basically, I want to escape the rat race of the materialistic world and let her experience a life which values nature and the simple things in life.

So far, these thoughts have only been seen as a faint dream to me, considering the rather depressing amount in my bank account. Then I stumbled across your website. While I’ve been spending most of my free time in between breast feeding and nappy changing reading your stuff, excitement has slowly been creeping up on me. But today, after watching the latest of your videos, I’ve finally allowed myself to believe that this is the way to get what I want! I want to help other people escape the rat race, and by doing so, I may actually manage to make enough revenue, and thus freedom, to do it myself and so create the best environment possible for my daughter to grow up in. Now THAT’s what I call making a worth while difference in another person’s life! (PS: I’m sorry to say my firstborn’s not up for discussion, but as for myself, I’m both blonde and tall…hehehe!)
Kathryn the Personality Queen
· Reply

Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 3:37 PM

OMG!! Fantastic information!! I have just recently been introduced to your program and I can’t help but feel – Where have you been all my (business) life! You are sooooo right about being over whelmed by the massive amounts of information out there on Internet Marketing. It’s mind boggling! Websites, Newsletters, Blogs, Twitter, My Space, Facebook, You Tube, RSS feeds…my head is spinning just thinking about it!

I have a fairly new Coaching/Training business, and while making out my business plan, I kept finding myself answering too many important questions, with, “I don’t know. Oh darn, I don’t that one either.” By just watching your promo videos I have been able to answer some of these questions – like, “Who is your target market?” Step 1 – Select your target Niche. “How do you intend to reach this market?” Step 2 & 3 – Set up a website and newsletter – build a list. “What is your marketing budget and where will this money come from?” Step 4 – Borrow someone else’s products to sell. Like you said, many of us started on Step 5 – Add a Coaching/Consulting option. Now I know I need to back track a bit in creating a solid business plan. If your short videos help this much, just think what can happen when I get Step 6 & 7 in place!

The truth is – If you want to get to the moon, get aboard a spaceship, not a submarine – find the right vehicle to do the job. We can have the best product/service in the world, but if no body knows about it – it won’t make any difference.
Coach Wendy
· Reply

Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 3:12 PM

I first learned about you, David, on a google search for coaches. After reviewing your website, newsletters, calls, and purchasing your cd program “First Fifty Clients” I gained inspiration and a new found desire to take action on passions that I had almost let expire. I designed a website, opened a new vegan cafe’ and went to the public with my coaching. I had previously only coached family and friends. Although I gained emotional rewards for serving others I had always felt uncomfortable asking for compensation. Now I know that it’s okay and have several new paying clients that truly appreciate my services. And I’m just getting started. I am finally opening a wellness center that I had put off for almost 11 years. I see victory ahead!

I look forward to being an inspiration to others, just as you have been for me. Thank you, David! I wish you only continued success and wellness.
Coach Sharon
· Reply

Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 2:51 PM

1) Make more of a difference in other people’s lives?
I discovered David’s website and newsletter at a critical turning point in my life. At 46, I still had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up; I just knew that I wanted to not only make a difference in the world, I wanted to truly help others learn how to help themselves. David’s insights, publications, and comments made in reply to those posting on his site helped me identify my own true worth, and have enabled me to develop my own vision of how to help my clients create their own joy and abundance.

2) Increase your revenue, to create more freedom and joy in your own life? Honestly, the calls — those free, wonderful, informational, inspiring calls! On one, we were encouraged to sit and create a year’s worth of newsletter topics, and challenged to make that effort a reality. I have created so many ideas, it would take three years of newsletters to simply exhaust this initial list. David’s willingness to share of himself, including the high and low points, makes it easy to see that perseverance and being honest with oneself are two of the most important tools any coach can have. I’ve used his products to improve my initial screenings of clients, and to create proposals to professional organizations, both of which have resulted in a steady stream of income, even in this lousy economy! If I can make money now, I can do anything! His focus on his passion and his very real success is a guiding light for me personally and professionally. Thank you, David!!

‘Get Paid For Who You Are’ – entries closed

‘Get Paid For Who You Are’ – entries closed

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