Published on January 19, 2019
I received this testimonial from a client last week.
David is in his mid-to-late 50’s. The part about how I take a great personal interest in clients’ lives is the biggest compliment . . . and what sets my program apart.
The weigh-in takes a minute. Checking a client’s food plan for the day or helping them plan another day or two, that takes 10 minutes. It’s the probing, the asking (and listening) and documenting about how things are going in their lives that helps me help them tremendously. It gives me a window into the problems they’re having (personally or professionally), associated stresses; the fears or uncertainties they may be facing; and a whole lot more.
It provides an opportunity to use a lifetime of experiences (and connections and quality referral sources) to make suggestions, refer to other service providers (it might be a mental health professional; or a family law attorney; a good accountant; a cleaning service for their home; and a very long list of others). It might be convincing a mom to let go of the guilt of leaving her child in the care of a quality babysitter (or dropping them off at their moms) for even just 2 hours a week so she can have alone time, or get into the gym twice a week. Basically, I do whatever I can to help my clients make themselves, their health and well-being, priority #1.
In David’s case, he was laid off from his employer in November. His company made available to him 90 days free outside career guidance and consulting. When he told me, about 3 weeks or so in, that he wasn’t happy with the counselor that was assigned to him, didn’t feel a connection with him, that he was a much older gentleman and not on top of all the tools and resources that David knew in his gut was out there, I encouraged him to speak up. The clock was ticking on those free 90 days and I encouraged him not to let a fear of hurting the man’s feelings take precedence over his own professional needs (and, let’s face it, the financial needs of his family). So he spoke with the appropriate individual at the outplacement firm, who connected him with another counselor with whom who David immediately felt a better connection. He also felt good about being assertive in this instance. It relieved a lot of stress; and kept him on track with his personal dietary needs.
I’ve also spent time showing him some LinkedIn tips on searching for targeted content, people and companies, and suggested he start engaging with value-added comments.
The bottom line is that this isn’t about me. I’ve been providing these services for 20 years and am an old hat at it. It’s about the client, David. This is the first time he’s been in the situation of both having to lose weight and while being laid off. He didn’t give in and allow his unemployment, especially heading into holiday season, get the better of him and take him off course. He made a commitment to his health and well-being. He was focused towards that end. Disciplined every step of the way. He had a plan to achieve his goal . . . and he did. Those are the attributes of a great employee, and his next employer will be lucky and privileged to have him.
Slimcerely yours℠,
