From my perspective as a JBU listener for the past few years, you will make a GREAT relationship coach. Your measured, thoughtful, insightful takes on every international question and in each substack piece show that you are a good listener and a reflective person. You're great at holding multiple truths at once, give good advice without forcing it on people, and have clearly grown a lot as a person/in how you relate to people. All of that plus your knowledge of romantic relationships and mental health is exactly what I would look for in a relationship coach!
Allison, as someone who has followed your work for a long time I am so happy for you that you're taking this step! You are smart, empathetic, and you have the educational background to back you up -- you will be an amazing coach. I wanted to share that this really resonated with me as someone who is close to finishing a rigorous positive reinforcement dog training certification program. Imposter syndrome and worrying about if I can effectively help my future clients has been an ongoing struggle for me as well, as I think now about launching my training business soon. This passage deeply resonated with me: "I am going to do my best to hold onto this idea that I can both know what I am doing and not know everything I need to know yet. I can be qualified to charge people for my time and still learn how to be more effective in this new role by actually doing it." I needed to hear this! I will be seeking continuing education for my entire life and career in my journey as a dog trainer; that doesn't mean I don't have very good qualifications now or that I have to wait till I reach some unattainable perfection or know everything there is to know in the universe to start helping people and dogs. I have qualifications now, and I can help people now. Thanks for sharing this. It really resonated with me.
Your openness and honesty are incredibly inspiring as always. Thank you for writing this newsletter. It makes my life better. Good luck with your new venture :)
If I were in the position of wanting to hire a relationship coach - you would be 100% be my first and only choice!! I am so proud of you for doing this!!! You’ll change people’s lives, I’m sure of it!
Im considering becoming a freelance science writer, and even though I have lots of experience I’ve also been really battling imposter syndrome fear. So this came at the perfect time!
I think this is a brilliant idea! and it's inspiring for me to see someone, a bit like me with anxiety and ocd etc., overcoming their fear apprehensions. Yay! I'm so happy for you.
Maybe it's the job for you, maybe not. Time will tell. It's not an easy job at all. As a beginner, you can charge less, that's what I would do. That way, you don't feel like you are overpricing your services while you're still learning. Also, you can decide what your strengths are and what kind of coach you want to be, what your coaching style is (As you are today, not some future you). A coach is not a therapist. Sometimes the job of a coach is just listening to people. Sometimes it can be helping them find their own solutions etc...
This resonated with me so much! It is my first semester teaching as an adjunct faculty member and I have imposter syndrome every time I walk into that classroom! From the way I’m dressed, to the moments I lose track of my thoughts while lecturing; I have a tendency to question why the heck I don’t have it all figured out. And then I remember of course I don’t have it figured out: I’ve never done this before (and my MA program had zero pedagogy classes)! As with any new thing, it will never feel comfortable until it isn’t new anymore.
I’m also about to get married in December and was so excited to see your post!!!
From my perspective as a JBU listener for the past few years, you will make a GREAT relationship coach. Your measured, thoughtful, insightful takes on every international question and in each substack piece show that you are a good listener and a reflective person. You're great at holding multiple truths at once, give good advice without forcing it on people, and have clearly grown a lot as a person/in how you relate to people. All of that plus your knowledge of romantic relationships and mental health is exactly what I would look for in a relationship coach!
This is so meaningful for me to read! Thank you <3
Allison, as someone who has followed your work for a long time I am so happy for you that you're taking this step! You are smart, empathetic, and you have the educational background to back you up -- you will be an amazing coach. I wanted to share that this really resonated with me as someone who is close to finishing a rigorous positive reinforcement dog training certification program. Imposter syndrome and worrying about if I can effectively help my future clients has been an ongoing struggle for me as well, as I think now about launching my training business soon. This passage deeply resonated with me: "I am going to do my best to hold onto this idea that I can both know what I am doing and not know everything I need to know yet. I can be qualified to charge people for my time and still learn how to be more effective in this new role by actually doing it." I needed to hear this! I will be seeking continuing education for my entire life and career in my journey as a dog trainer; that doesn't mean I don't have very good qualifications now or that I have to wait till I reach some unattainable perfection or know everything there is to know in the universe to start helping people and dogs. I have qualifications now, and I can help people now. Thanks for sharing this. It really resonated with me.
I'm so glad it was helpful! So excited for you! We got this <3
Your openness and honesty are incredibly inspiring as always. Thank you for writing this newsletter. It makes my life better. Good luck with your new venture :)
Thank you so much. I'm so glad it's helpful <3
Okay yes to this insight about humility! Thank you ❤️. I also think you’d be a great relationship coach!
Thank you so much <3
If I were in the position of wanting to hire a relationship coach - you would be 100% be my first and only choice!! I am so proud of you for doing this!!! You’ll change people’s lives, I’m sure of it!
That is so kind!! Thank you!!
Im considering becoming a freelance science writer, and even though I have lots of experience I’ve also been really battling imposter syndrome fear. So this came at the perfect time!
Here's to pushing through it! xoxo A
I think this is a brilliant idea! and it's inspiring for me to see someone, a bit like me with anxiety and ocd etc., overcoming their fear apprehensions. Yay! I'm so happy for you.
thank you so much!!
Congrats on this new venture, Allison! You will be wonderful 💜
Thank you!!
I have often found that fear of success is oftentimes as much a hindrance as a fear of failure.
Life is long and complicated! xoxo A
Maybe it's the job for you, maybe not. Time will tell. It's not an easy job at all. As a beginner, you can charge less, that's what I would do. That way, you don't feel like you are overpricing your services while you're still learning. Also, you can decide what your strengths are and what kind of coach you want to be, what your coaching style is (As you are today, not some future you). A coach is not a therapist. Sometimes the job of a coach is just listening to people. Sometimes it can be helping them find their own solutions etc...
This resonated with me so much! It is my first semester teaching as an adjunct faculty member and I have imposter syndrome every time I walk into that classroom! From the way I’m dressed, to the moments I lose track of my thoughts while lecturing; I have a tendency to question why the heck I don’t have it all figured out. And then I remember of course I don’t have it figured out: I’ve never done this before (and my MA program had zero pedagogy classes)! As with any new thing, it will never feel comfortable until it isn’t new anymore.
I’m also about to get married in December and was so excited to see your post!!!