A Coaching Model Created by Cassidy Nasello
(Work-Life Integration Coach, GERMANY)
Introduction
Why I coach?
As the owner of FELT, a professional organizing business, I came to appreciate the enormous psychological impact of creating new physical space in one’s environment. When my clients made deliberate choices about what to keep and how to let go of what didn’t serve them, they began to live intentionally. They were much more thoughtful about how they managed their surroundings and developed new habits to support their goals for simpler living. With a clear space, a clearer mind followed and further transformations became possible.
But a tidy home did not by itself resolve questions of work-life balance. My mostly female clients felt pulled in multiple directions from demanding bosses to demanding kids. They seemed not to know how to be present or nor did they pause to decide what they really wanted out of life. I soon learned that the process of decluttering the mind was no different from the process of decluttering the home. I then realized that my passion lies in supporting women in their work-life integration and so I developed a coaching process to guide clients to clarity and happiness–both at home and work.
Who is FELT Coaching For?
FELT clients are ambitious women who want to change or further their career or get back into the workforce– all while striving for work-life integration that brings them gratification. FELT clients are ready to wake up, live with their hearts, and align their actions with their core values. FELT clients may:
- Feel stagnant or stuck or disengaged in their current life and are seeking something more fulfilling.
- Want to feel energized again by a new career path, renewed priorities, deeper relationships, and healthier habits.
- Know what they want, but aren’t sure how to start.
- Are overwhelmed by what has been an overscheduled and cluttered life and desire simplification to make space for an easier and happier lifestyle.
- Want to prioritize personal development over material acquisition.
- Want to establish or reaffirm core values to live a more intentional and thoughtful life.
- Are committed to making a life-long change.
The FELT framework
The FELT model is a framework for getting clear on how one wants to live one’s best, most FELT life. This is how I address my clients through the model:
Fresh Eyes come with your commitment to professional success without undue personal sacrifice. When you work with FELT, you build a vision of your ideal future at home and at work, which serves as your North Star to chart your path forward. With a renewed hope, a joyful, fulfilling life finally feels attainable.
Questions that can support a client in finding awareness might include:
- What else could be true?
- What’s a different way of seeing your future?
- What would be your dream career?
- What would an ideal homelife look like?
- What’s a way your career and home life can support each other?
- What do you know to be true that can support you?
Examine + Explore what thoughts, relationships, and actions serve you on your journey. Consider what else could be true as you create your new reality. Reaffirm your core values to support your higher goals.
Questions to encourage deeper exploration might include:
- What values do you want to support?
- What does that make you feel like?
- What has worked for you in the past that can serve you now?
- What supporting structures do you have in place to help you achieve your goal?
Let Go of obstacles and limiting beliefs that can derail you and discourage you. Replace them with a clear set of core values. With this mental clarity, new habits–like setting work boundaries and honoring self-care will replace old habits–like overcommitting, over-consuming, and overanalyzing. All of your personal and professional goals now can support your established values.
- Challenging questions to help a client feel resolved would include:
- What do you need to let go of to move forward?
- What is it costing you to hold on to your (limiting belief)?
- What would let go of free you up to do?
- What’s a way less could be more?
Transform: You’ve done the hard work of creating self-awareness, letting go of what doesn’t serve you, and exploring what could support you better in your strive for a happy career, and fulfilling life. You now feel lighter, life feels brighter and you are living intentionally. You are expanded and ready for a transformation.
Questions that can solidify transformation and encourage the process of designing action could include:
- What does it feel like to have this awareness?
What will you do with this feeling/awareness? - What are the first steps you need to take?
- What energy shifts do you feel in your body?
- What can you do to hold onto this new feeling?
FELT, my company’s name, initially was intended to point to the connection between the emotional and the tactile. It now goes deeper in meaning and reminds us to check in on how we are feeling in our lives so that we don’t unconsciously juggle career and life without considering our deeper desires. The pause from the life that happens in a FELT coaching session gives clients a chance to ask: Do my actions align with my goals and values? Am I surrounding myself with people, places, and things that bring me joy and fulfillment? Am I prioritizing what speaks to my heart? Do my career and family life support each other?
I believe the FELT Framework is a model that keeps my clients’ goals intact while leaving room for deeper exploration. It is an expansive framework that is neither prescriptive nor directive. The FELT Framework allows the client to do the work and take ownership of their efforts towards achieving their desired outcome. The pure coaching model is honored with the FELT Framework during the coaching session, yet there is room to add in my expertise as a business leader, ICA trained coach, and a KonMari Certified Consultant when and if it serves the client.