Meet Stefanie

My focus and passion is coaching people through career and life transitions, challenging them to stretch beyond their comfort zones and transform their lives. Here is the story of my life transformation and how I stretched...

For more than 11 years I worked as a Career Counselor in a university, helping hundreds of students and alumni learn about themselves and choose their career paths, often stepping out of their comfort zones to take their careers in a whole new direction. I loved my career!

Then, in late 2003, I began to question what I was doing with my life...was I achieving what I wanted to, developing the way I wanted to, living a life that fit who I was?  The answer was no.  While my life was good, I was living it from a place of "safe and comfortable".  So I embarked on a journey of self discovery, gaining my own clarity with who I was and what I wanted for my life and career.  The journey was an exciting, and often scary one...full of "what if's", especially since I never considered myself a risk taker. I knew that I needed support and encouragement to "let go of the ledge" of my comfort ...so I hired my own coach - someone who challenged me to do more than I ever thought I would.  The result...finding our "perfect" place to live - after a lifetime in New York in 2005 we moved to North Carolina, a place we always dreamed of, but never knew existed - yet also a place where we did not know a single person! In addition to that leap, I also completed my career transition from Career Counselor in a university to a self-employed Career and Life Coach.  I am proud of how far I have come and excited about the future!  Starting my life over was the biggest stretch of my life, but it does not stop there…

How do I continue to stretch?

I started a Blog! This is something I had thought about for a while so one day I decided to just check out what it would take to create one.  I had heard about Wordpress from several people so I went to the site and within a few minutes I had created a template for my blog.  At that moment I realized it was now live - I froze for a moment thinking "oh no, now what I am going to write?"   Within a few more minutes the thoughts and words came and I wrote my first post.  My goal with the blog is to share a bit more about my day-to-day life and the experiences, thoughts and ah-ha moments I have.  I hope you'll check it out!

My previous stretches?  

Writing my first book!  It is a workbook of self-discovery and personal transformation that I created by synthesizing together what I have learned throughout my career.  How and why did this come about?  Well, several years ago, colleagues began telling me I should write a book describing all of my thoughts and ideas about personal growth - since I was forever sharing all of it verbally with them and with my career counseling clients.  I initally shied away from the idea since I never considered myself a writer.  Time passed, and now well into my career as a life coach, I began compiling much of my material into an 8 week program which I delivered as a teleclass series in 2006.  Again, friends and colleagues who I shared my material with urged me to write a book.  This time I not only considered it, I went for it!  To me, this workbook is a great starting off point for anyone who is considering a life change, has been thinking about working with a life coach or is ready to put what they have learned about themselves through the many self-help books they have read, into action!  Now available!

Being "out there" as an artist! I am on the board of a local womens business group called Chix in Business.  We held a silent art auction at our anniversary party to benefit a local YWCA.  Since a few Chix board members knew I painted, they asked me if I would donate a painting.  My first reaction was "no, I can't do that, I'm not an artist!".  Well, with their encouragement, I decided to take the plunge and painted a "beach scene" which I donated to the auction.  It sold!  To my suprise, I actually liked having people see my work "out there" - something I never thought I wanted (or was to afraid to want...).  Where will it go from here - I'm not sure, but am excited about the possibilities.  Here's a sample watercolor, it's not the one I donated to the auction, but a fall scene instead, one of my favorite seasons...

How have YOU been stretching? How would you like to?  How can I help you?

What else am I passionate about?

Painting is a renewed passion and my peace and joy these days. Cooking, baking, and eating are some of my favorite pastimes, especially with family and good friends! I am an avid treasure hunter who frequents flea markets and thrift stores and enjoy decorating with these unique hidden gems full of history. My thirst for knowledge keeps me up-to-date on such topics as personal growth, relationships, achieving financial goals, organization tips and techniques, exercise and healthy eating, and marketing.

As an avid learner, my education and training includes the Professional Certified Coach designation (PCC) through the International Coach Federation, certification in life coaching through the Institute for Life Coach Training, a Master of Science in Counseling, and a BA in Psychology. Since I love building relationships, I am also on the board of Chix in Business in Raleigh, NC, serving as Vice Chair in 2009.

How we can get to know each other?

On this page you have hopefully learned a bit about me and what I am passionate about. Now I would love to learn about you and your passions and goals. We can do that in several ways! I offer a Sample Coaching Session giving you the opportunity to share how you would like to stretch and what may be keeping you stuck in comfort. Together we have an interactive discussion, and you come away with at least one strategy to move forward. If you are local to the Raleigh area and would like to connect in person, I offer various workshops and seminars usually every month.

Would you like to say in contact?

At the top of this page, click on Join Now to sign up for my Monthly Dose of Inspiration and Introspection… each month you will receive an inspirational article and learn about upcoming seminars.

Another way to stay in touch?  Check out my Facebook page and my new Blog!

I welcome the opportunity to help you do what I have done...take your life in a totally new direction.  Yes it is scary and challenging...but equally exciting and full of possibilities! 

 

To GET STARTED TODAY, contact me at stefaniezizzo@yahoo.com or 919-744-9722 to schedule a complimentary 30-minute consultation and learn more about how to take your own life in a new direction!.

©Copyright 2006 Stefanie Zizzo :: WebSite Design by Webanello Inc.