Career, Lawyer, Executive, and Life Coach C.J. Liu

Congratulations on making an important step towards progress!  Often the most exciting thing about coaching is the clarity, day-by-day progress, undiscovered opportunities, and learning experiences for clients that lie ahead.  As a career coach, lawyer coach, business coach, and life coach (based in Seattle, Washington, with clients all over), I’m excited to help you find these life gems.

Coaching Goals and Method

I am a whole life coach. My clients tell me that they most appreciate my ability to help with BOTH career and personal challenges.  After 20 years working with Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, schools, start-ups, individuals, and Free Coaching Consultationnonprofits, my clients get practical business advice and a solid framework for addressing work-related issues. I bring MBA-like tools to analyzing problems, creating plans, and devising and executing strategies. I am also trained in handling emotionally charged issues such as career transitions, work-life balance, spiritual growth, dating, and marriage renewal, all with love, sensitivity, and empathy to guide or inspire you.

Educational Background

I am a Certified Professional Coach (ICF-Certified – Academy for Coach Training).  I have an MBA from Haas School of Business, and a B.A. in Mathematics and Economics from Duke University.  I am certified in Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Reiki II, Mediation, Yoga, and have taken numerous classes on managing change, conflict management, leadership, and intuition.  I have taken more classes and workshops than seems humanely possible.  What can I say, I am a life-long learner and want to be the best at what I do.

Why I am a coach?

Basically, I’ve been a coach my entire life.  It just took me awhile to realize I could find a paying job doing what comes naturally to me.  My personal reward from coaching is helping people achieve their personal goals…and to set new goals that they didn’t even know they could have.  For me, there is nothing more gratifying then when my client’s make progress and move forward.  My best days are days when I hear from my clients and I can feel their happiness.  Sometimes, I can look at a client’s face who has overcome big obstacles and they even look different.  Just more proof that beauty comes from the inside.

I know it’s weird, but I LOVE asking questions and listening. Plus, I’m a bit obsessed about saving the world and such.  Personally, I believe the only way to change many of the disastrous situations the world is in is through changing people’s fundamental behavior and outlook on life.  Happy people = Happy world.  Coaching gives me the opportunity to learn, observe, teach, and save the world.  In addition to coaching, I have a weekly radio show www.fireitupwithcj.com where I interview other do-gooders like myself 🙂

Personal Interests and Personality

I am a study of extreme opposites.  I am a work-out-aholic and a flow-oriented yoga junky.

On one hand, I am striving to be a peaceful Bodhisattva following spirit’s calling.  I basically love anything that allows me to connect with family, my intuition, and gives me the opportunity to empower myself and others to fulfill their potential.  I am the eternal optimist and can see the positive in almost anything and anybody.  I love to laugh, play practical jokes, and bring out the inner “goofy” in others.

On the other hand, I am a warrior that is hard wired to be competitive and goal oriented.  I am very practical, balanced, and realistic.  I can be fiery, intense and have a laser-like focus on issues.  My former CFO side trained me to be very detail-oriented, analytical, and fact-based.  My other business experience fine-honed my ability to prioritize, be disciplined, and plan.  I’ve been know to tell it like it is and not let fear get in the way of your personal growth.

Net-net, I am  hard core business women meets  dancing Buddha. Go figure.  Oddly, it works magic for my clients and me.

Personal Note

For much of my life, I was an active participant in the rat race.  I did all the “right” things and went to all the “right” schools.  I had what some would consider an enviable life – a prestigious high paying job, a loving and supportive husband, and great kids.  So where were the alleged Kodak moments and eternal bliss that the commercials promised?  What I now realize is that I was playing a game that was not of my own design.

It was both life and death that catalyzed me into moving from a place of inaction, to taking control of my life.  My father’s death made me reconsider what was important in my life and the birth of my children helped me understand that my inaction had consequences beyond just myself.

While I was on a constant high from the excitement at Microsoft, I felt that I had a greater purpose and perhaps was squandering my talents and time.  While I wasn’t sure where my destiny would take me, I took a leap of faith and let my heart lead me. My heart led me to coaching.  Over the last few years, I have created a life that I love and am doing things that finally feel “right” for me. My personal definition of success is simply happiness.

My goal is to help my clients achieve the same sense of happiness, freedom, and clarity in their lives. In the end, I hope to move my clients to a place of greater self-awareness and acceptance.

Lawyer Marketing Coach

C.J. is also a lawyer life coach and lawyer career coach at Hot Blue Coaching.  She also has more information on her work as a lawyer marketing coach on that site.