WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY, IN THEIR OWN WORDS, ABOUT THEIR COACHING EXPERIENCES


Business Careers
"Working with Dave Thurston as my Career Coach has proven to be one of the best things I have ever done for myself, both for my career as well as my personal development. In the relatively short time I have been working with him, I feel I have been able to gain a much stronger grasp of who I am and where I want to go in my career path. I am more sure of who I am and more confident when addressing key issues at work because of everything I am getting out of working with Dave."

"I spent months worrying about my hopes and fears over a career change. I now realize I could have saved myself a great deal of time and agony by enlisting the services of a career coach sooner. I have been able to look at my life differently and form a plan for positive change. I find this exciting because I now feel that I have a distinct, clear plan and a simple process by which to achieve my goals."

“When I was first introduced to the concept of Career Coaching, I wasn't certain what to expect. David has coached me for over a year now, and I must say that I am a different person, both professionally and personally. I have made tremendous strides in my career, with a promotion and a new level of confidence that will continue to take me far.“

"Dave had a very positive and refreshing impact on every aspect of my life, from health and relationships, to career and financial well-being. He has helped me develop goals and a road map to make them realistic and attainable. He is truly a joy to speak with and his humor and easy- going demeanor make it a fun and enjoyable experience. It has been a truly rewarding experience. I am glad I have Dave Thurston in my corner and would highly recommend him to anyone." 

"Not knowing the 'What?' David Thurston became a part of my life during a time I was pondering on the question, ' What do I want to do with my life?' I knew I didn't want to continue doing what I was doing, but I had no idea what else I could possibly do. As our relationship grew, so did my career. I went from being an Assistant Program Manager to a Program Manager, constructing and overseeing two corporate programs. Coaching provided the essential tools that uncovered my professional capabilities. With continuous support, the ' What' in my life has become, ' whatever my heart desires.' 

Entrepreneurs

“David provided me the boost of confidence and practical support I needed to start my own business. In just a few months, I achieved what I had been talking about for years. Dave definitely knows how to motivate people! By setting reachable goals, I saw progress immediately. I was so impressed that I referred my mother to him. She has been talking about starting her own business assisting the elderly for years. She is just as happy with her progress as I am!”

Professionals

"I greatly appreciate your assistance and advice. You provided a focus and outlook that I did not have. Once again, Thank you."

"As a driven professional who did not believe coaching would hold any value for me, my coaching experience with Dave Thurston has been, hands down, the greatest asset to my professional and personal life to date as I navigate the long road to personal and professional fulfillment. I honestly don't know why I waited so long to become enlightened; now, I can never go back. For anyone considering coaching,  remember time waits for no one. Think about that when you have had another bad day and don't know how to handle it. Move forward now. Not next week - NOW! "

“After fleeing the practice of law, having become disillusioned by the long hours, stress, seemingly intangible requirements for the ‘partnership track’ and lack of fulfillment, I sought out Coach Dave Thurston. Dave helped me rediscover aspects of the law I enjoyed, showed me ways to demonstrate my value to potential employers while also being definite about the type and amount of work I wanted to do, and guided me through negotiations for several opportunities. Within three months of working with Dave, I had landed a position at a well-respected firm doing the kind of work I wanted, and within limits which finally did not conflict with my values concerning time, stress and achievement. “

Personal Growth and Development

"Dave had a very positive and refreshing impact on every aspect of my life, from health and relationships, to career and financial well-being. He has helped me develop goals and a road map to make them realistic and attainable. He is truly a joy to speak with and his humor and easy- going demeanor make it a fun and enjoyable experience. It has been a truly rewarding experience. I am glad I have Dave Thurston in my corner and would highly recommend him to anyone." 

“After working with Dave, I know I have the ability and talents to succeed and that I can't let people and circumstances stand in the way of what I truly want out of life. With Dave's coaching, I have been able to overcome some lifetime boulders. Now I'm using my God-given talents to have my cake and eat it too. Joy, peace and happiness are worth fighting for and with coaching, you don't have to fight it alone.”

"Coaching has been the catalyst that allowed me to completely reevaluate the direction my life was taking. I was feeling as though I had very little direction and so much 'stuff' bogging me down that I was unsure of where to even start to turn things around. I wasn't even sure where I wanted to go. My self-confidence was at an all-time low and I really felt I was going through day after day just reacting to what life was handing me." 

"With coaching I have been able to take things one step at a time, at my own pace, with slow, steady, positive progress. The funny thing is that what seemed relatively natural and painless in terms of progress resulted in such monumental change when I look back over a nine month period. My 'take control' theme for 2001 has been a constant source of inspiration. I'm still amazed at the progress I've made, from physical health and well being, to relationships, to professional opportunities. It's like everything is coming together and I'm making it happen for myself.”

"Coaching has helped me make a difficult time in my life a thing of the past. Without it, I would be muddling through the same problems, probably accepting them as my fate. I can say now I look forward to the future and am prepared to embrace the challenges that lie ahead."

"I really appreciate the faith and guidance you have provided over the past year. Thanks for all your great advice and listening. You have been very helpful in guiding me to have a more fulfilling life. Your influence is a major reason I am doing well today."

"I had been treading water, on the verge of drowning for a while, and quite exhausted. I think you were an answer to my prayers. You don't overwhelm me with ‘therapeutic pressure’, but give me knowledge about myself and my surroundings that enables me. I don't feel put down, rather, built up, respected. Thank you so much for that."

"I have read an abundance of self help books. I could have been rich for all the money I've spent on them! Most books try to change the person. The interesting thing about your coaching is that it helps the person discover their own, natural talents and then gives them a simple plan or process to maximize those talents, turning them into fun, practical skills for a life time. I like that. It's working for me."

Workplace

"Our team was very positive about your presentation. It is a rare occurrence when one can hold a group's attention for nearly three and a half hours. Everyone seemed genuinely interested in the material presented, and most of the folks were active participants in the discussions. The material you presented was excellent. It was very complete, yet concise enough to be presented in brief format. I believe that the entire leadership team shares my enthusiasm for the progress that has been made in such a short time." 

“I felt that the meeting went very well. Much of the progress is due to the fine work you have done in guiding us through a process that was critically important to our organization at this juncture. It's nice to see that we are beginning to reap the rewards. Thanks again for your leadership throughout the past several months.” 

“I've heard a lot of positive feedback on your presentations. You helped the staff gain new insights into themselves and others-- I know I did. We will benefit tremendously as a company because of your insights and your ability to help people see things in positive ways!”

“David is a very persuasive, personable, positive, and reassuring individual. He makes people think: ‘yeah, we can do this.’ He was actually better at effecting change than I ever imagined anyone in his position could be."

New Coaches

“I find myself rattling off all types of pearls of wisdom I learned from coaching when I talk with others close to me. It is great how everything we have discussed has really come effortlessly to me. I become charged up when I find many of the things we have talked about in coaching have been absorbed into my daily thought - so much so that I become passionate in sharing them. I feel inspired by what I have retained and also have become inspired to research coaching as a possible next career for me."

“You are a natural coach and are so patient and positive. That's a real gift. I really think you do a tremendous job of bringing newcomers like me into coaching and helping me to focus and understand what need to do and think about.” 

“I was at a point where I needed to make changes in my life and was ready to try something different. After hearing Dave speak and learning more about my personality type, I decided to make a commitment to coaching. It has helped me gain a better understanding my life and how to make the right choices for me. That was two years ago! My coach also became my mentor and a friend. Coaching has been invaluable to me and I highly recommend it.” 

"The day I accepted a promotion to be a Career Coach for my current employer is the day I truly became a believer in the coaching process. Eleven months earlier, I was struggling with the direction my career was taking. I was bored, unhappy, stagnant and growing impatient. I needed a change. I called Dave and said I was ready to be coached; ready to get on the path to discover my passion." 

"We quickly uncovered my passion for coaching. With Dave's help, I enrolled in corporate coaching classes and mapped out a strategy to become a Corporate Coach. With weekly coaching calls giving me support, mentoring, guidance and pick-me-ups, I am proud to say that I am now a Corporate Coach. The day I excitedly accepted the offer I was on the phone with Dave praising what he has done for me, by being there for me (and with me) each step of the way, during each victory and each set back. My faith in the coaching process, in Dave, and in myself has grown and strengthened over these months. "

"The results of having Dave work with me side by side, as a supportive uncle, mentor, friend and coach are immeasurable. My outlook on life, work and my own personal confidence has made a complete 180 degree turnaround as a result of our ongoing collaborative partnership." 

"You've been inspiring. I feel I can have a new life after talking with you."

Copyright © 2004 David C. Thurston.  All rights reserved.