‘It is in the moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.’
Is Monika is the right coach for me?
INTRODUCTION
Monika Matuszewska completed over 250 hours of Certified Professional Coach training at the Dutch Associate voor Coaching in the Netherlands. She is member of the International Coaching Federation and holds an ICF credential ID number 009650954I. In order to verify its professional credentials, LaMatu passed the screening process of Coachfinder, an initiative of the Dutch Psychologie Magazine and the Dutch professional association for alternative therapists Collectief Alternatieve Therapeuten (CAT).
In addition to her academic degrees, she has extensive business acumen including project management background and is experienced at working according to various project management methodologies. She was certified by Project Management Institute as an Agile Practitioner (ACP)® as well as a Project Management Professional (PMP)® and by APMG as a PRINCE2® Practitioner. These methodologies gave her a solid background in skills such as time management, planning, scheduling, risk management and decision making.
She also trained in Neuro-Linguistic Programming with Richard Bandler in London, UK a credential ID 200119 by The Society of Neuro-Linguistic Programming™. She continued her NLP studies in Amsterdam and holds a certificate of Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming® certified by The International Association for NLP issued by UNLP. She also holds a certificate of a Mindset and Personal Leadership Coach by Global NLP Training issued by INEMLA.
Before training as a professional coach, Monika built a strong academic and business foundation through advanced university studies in Europe and internationally recognised certifications in project management.
Monika holds 4 Master degrees and studied at 4 different European universities. She pursued her academic studies at Warsaw University and Warsaw School of Economics in Poland, University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany and ESADE Business School in Barcelona, Spain. She graduated cum laude as an MA in Applied Linguistics and holds a double MSc in Marketing and Management as well as in International Relations. In addition, she completed post-graduate studies at CEMS, the Global Alliance of Management Education, from which she graduated with a degree of Master’s in International Management.
In addition to her academic degrees, she has extensive business acumen including project management background and is experienced at working according to various project management methodologies. She was certified by Project Management Institute as an Agile Practitioner (ACP)® as well as a Project Management Professional (PMP)® and by APMG as a PRINCE2® Practitioner. These methodologies gave her a solid background in skills such as time management, planning, scheduling, risk management and decision making.
Monika Matuszewska is a verified member of the International Coaching Federation holds an ICF credential ID number 009650954I. LaMatu passed the screening process for professional coaches of Coachfinder, an initiative of the Dutch Psychologie Magazine. LaMatu is a member of Dutch Stichting Geschilleninstantie Alternatieve Therapeuten (GAT), an independent platform for dispute settlement between alternative therapists and their clients. She is also a member of the Dutch professional association for alternative therapists Collectief Alternatieve Therapeuten (CAT).
In addition to holding multiple business degrees and project management credentials Monika had a successful corporate career spanning across over 16 years. She has a proven track record working in international environments, managing large projects and cross-functional teams. Monika has background in B2B and B2C marketing of consumer goods products in industries such as consulting, electronics, home furnishing, retail and beauty for leading international brands across Europe, including IBM, Bosch and Siemens, Dyson, Philips, IKEA, Nikon and L’Oréal.
Throughout her career in large multinational organisations she established herself as a performance-driven marketeer with a commercial background and passion for the digital world. Monika is a seasoned digital marketing professional, with strong project and organisational skills, which helped her deliver complex projects in times of rapid change. She was described by her colleagues as a highly motivated, pragmatic and reliable professional, someone who sets high standards and delivers high-quality solutions. Her expertise made her to be selected as a keynote speaker at masterclasses and multiple digital marketing conferences.
Majority of LaMatu clients have expatriate background, many consider themselves as highly skilled migrants and identify with the term “expat”. LaMatu coachees include professionals facing life transitions, identity dilemmas, or cross-cultural challenges that come with building a life abroad. Over the years LaMatu has provided individual coaching services to hundreds of clients living across Europe and representing 67 different nationalities.
As a seasoned expat and citizen of the world, I bring a truly global perspective to my work—drawing from over twenty years of international experience and fluency in five languages. In my work I regularly encounter coachees dealing with complex life dilemmas, and intercultural challenges that are pertinent to an expat life. People with a migration background often grapple with issues revolving around sense of belonging, loyalty, cultural norms, values, belief-systems and self-identity questions. A plethora of topics related to cultural values, integration, diversity and inclusion emerge in the context of both work and private life.
Relocation to a foreign country has a major impact on the family, friendships and the entire social life. Many immigrants have trouble finding new friends in their new home country, partially due to language and cultural differences. Changing environments requires a certain skill-set and attitude if one is to succeed in approaching strangers, establishing new connections and ultimately creating a new sense of belonging to a tribe and community.
Whether you have emigrated yourself, found yourself working with people from a different cultural background, or have aspirations of an international career, being able to maneuver the complexities of cross-cultural communications became a crucial survival skill in the modern world. Hiring a coach that can support you in developing your intercultural skills is a wise investment.
Thanks to my personal experience of my own expatriate experience spanning across over 20 years, having studied abroad, worked in multinational organisations I can relate to many of those challenges. I traveled across 63 and lived in 4 different countries, mastering 5 languages along the way. I conduct my coaching conversations in Dutch, English and Polish. I aim to support my coachees with the right dose of empathy and inspiration to make the most of that phase of their life.
Monika Matuszewska is the founder of a professional coaching practice LaMatu in Amsterdam. As a certified coach, keynote speaker and workshop facilitator, she empowers highly educated professionals, and entrepreneurs to align their careers with their purpose—whether that means climbing the corporate ladder, launching a business, or exploring international opportunities.
Monika holds four Master’s degrees from top institutions including the University of Warsaw, SGH Warsaw School of Economics, and CEMS – The Global Alliance in Management Education. She graduated with honours in Applied Linguistics and is fluent in English, Dutch, Polish, Spanish and German.
Her areas of study span international business, marketing, management, teaching, and culture—all of which inform her nuanced and global approach to coaching. She was awarded two international scholarships during her studies, allowing her to study in Germany and at Esade Business School in Barcelona, Spain as part of the prestigious CEMS exchange programme.
In my coaching practice, I often work with MBA candidates navigating pivotal career moments — from evaluating business schools and preparing for admissions, to making strategic career shifts or planning a return on their MBA investment. These transitions often bring up deeper questions around identity, ambition, values, and long-term direction.
Pursuing an MBA is rarely just about academic growth; it’s also a deeply personal journey. Many candidates grapple with balancing high performance with self-doubt, redefining their career narratives, or building the confidence to lead in international and high-stakes environments. Coaching can help you gain clarity, strengthen your focus, and navigate these transitions with greater intention. My coaching is rooted in both academic excellence and corporate experience.
I hold four Master’s degrees — including a CEMS Master’s in International Management — and studied at top higher education institutions in Poland, Germany, and Spain. Over the last two decades, I worked in multiple global organisations, managed multifunctional projects, led multicultural teams, and mentored professionals across a wide range of sectors. This background enables me to understand the ambitions and complexities faced by MBA candidates with global aspirations.
Having lived in 4 countries, travelled to 63, and learnt 5 languages along the way, I bring both business acumen and intercultural awareness to my sessions. I offer coaching in English, Dutch, and Polish, and create a space that’s both reflective and forward-looking — helping MBA candidates connect their personal drivers with their professional goals.
Monika completed over 1.000 hours of yoga teacher courses held at Delight Yoga Academy, certified by Yoga Alliance. She finished her RYT® 200 Yoga Teacher training by Delight Yoga in September 2021 and obtained RYT® 300 certification in June 2023. In 2022 she completed a 6-month-long yoga and ayurveda teacher apprenticeship programme at Delight Yoga assisting Tory Hyndman. This extensive training allowed to get a deeper understanding of stress patterns and methods such meditation and breathwork.
Monika’s coaching style may be described as compassionate and respectful. She believes in the mind, body and soul connection, which dictates a holistic approach. She has a calm, reflective demeanour and is deeply curious in a non-judgmental way. Her intention is to hold the space where thoughts, sensations and emotions are equally welcome.
As opposed to dwelling in the past, the focus is first laid on the present situation, which is then used as a basis for creating a compelling future vision. The clarity that emerges as a result of the coaching process provides a solid foundation for healthy life choices that are in tune with the coachee’s values and aspirations.
The coaching process may result in revealing the tricks of the mind, removing obstacles in the form of limiting beliefs, imposter syndrome or procrastination, dispelling the chaos of negative thoughts. The goal of the exploration is to facilitate a fresh perspective and new insights. The newly gained clarity creates a fertile ground for growth.
Monika’s mission is to help people recognise their inner beauty and be able to appreciate the beauty of the world we live in. Her ultimate goal is to leave each coachee inspired and empowered to design and create a life fully lived and aligned with their highest purpose.
The fact that you have clicked on this question is most likely a sign that you are cautious. That is understandable. There are a lot of questionable practices in the personal development world including misleading advertising and pyramid schemes. Over the last few years the coaching industry gained itself a bad reputation, having been repeatedly accused of brainwashing, manipulation and misconduct. Regrettably many coaches lack the necessary professional credentials, formal education, experience, skills or, even worse, personal integrity and ethical standards.
While seeking guidance of a professional coach it is important to check that you will be working with someone who will respect your core values instead of imposing their own beliefs upon you. I encourage you to do your research, read testimonials of previous clients, apply your critical thinking and use your own discernment to identify the right method for your personal situation. Find the coach that will respect your boundaries and be able to stimulate your growth at the same time. Carefully check the credentials and verify the personal track record of the coach before committing to a collaboration. Take your time to carefully read through the terms and conditions of the coaching agreement before making the decision.
how much do the coaching sessions cost?
INTRODUCTION
Yes, the Discovery Call is offered as a one-off service to new clients, completely free of charge. You are not incurring any cost by booking this initial conversation, neither before, during or after the session. There are no booking associated booking fees. There is no obligation to purchase any paid services from LaMatu at a later stage. The only investment you are making is your time.
There are no additional fees nor hidden costs. Pricing specified includes new client onboarding and administrative fees.
It is possible to request additional individual support beyond the scope specified in the coaching agreement, e.g. book an extension session to prolong your trajectory, attend a workshop or request additional email support. Should you consider requesting some extra support from LaMatu, you will first be informed about the associated cost so that you can make an informed decision if you want to proceed with booking additional services.
Transparent pricing options are a part of LaMatu’s commitment to establishing professional relations that are based on mutual trust. LaMatu does not use the practice of preferential pricing and treats all of its clients equally.
Yes, the website of LaMatu makes use of an an online booking system. During your booking process, after selecting the time of your first coaching session, you will be guided through an online checkout process. You will be able to provide the contact details that you would like to be featured on the invoice and select your preferred payment method such as iDeal, PayPal or credit card. Once the payment is complete, you will receive a booking confirmation and an invoice by an automated email.
LaMatu is committed to working in an ethical and transparent manner. This means:
– Clarity upfront — you know the full cost before committing to any programme.
– Integrity in agreements — pricing and services are honoured exactly as described.
– No preferential pricing — all clients receive the same fair rates.
This is why prices of all coaching services offered by LaMatu are listed openly on this website. Standard coaching packages, along with their respective fees, can be found under the Coaching tab. Once you choose your preferred type of session — whether face-to-face or online — the full pricing options are displayed clearly, with no hidden costs.
LaMatu wants to ensure that every client feels secure, respected, and confident in the investment they are making in their personal and professional growth and that is reflected in its transparent pricing policy.
What do I need to consider before making a booking?
INTRODUCTION
LaMatu offers both in-person and online sessions, as well as hybrid coaching trajectories.
Face-to-face sessions take place in a private practice in Amsterdam, opposite of Amsterdam Sloterdijk station, at the Western side of Amsterdam. This setting allows for full confidentiality and undistracted focus. The Amsterdam location of LaMatu coaching practice can be conveniently reached by bike, public transport or by car. Being the 10th largest train station in the Netherlands, NS Amsterdam Sloterdijk is a major travel hub. It offers excellent public transport connections including train, metro, tram and bus connections. This venue also has quick link to the A10 ring and affordable parking for those traveling by car.
The walk & talk sessions take place outdoors in Westerpark in Amsterdam. This type of coaching takes place outdoors, during a walk at your own, natural pace. This format allows you to get moving and discover the answers to your questions in a natural way, walking side-by-side with the coach. The exact meeting point will be communicated to you in a booking confirmation email.
All types of online conversations, including the discovery call and the calibration session, take place remotely using Microsoft Teams software. An online session will take the form of a video call, so please ensure the right, quiet and private setting before you dial in and prepare so that you feel comfortable to enable your camera. Our conversations remain fully confidential and will never be recorded.
For all types of appointments, upon completing your booking you will receive the exact instructions in a confirmation email. The message will include a route description or, alternatively, video call access details.
Hybrid coaching trajectories, with a combination of in-person sessions in Amsterdam, and online conversations using MS Teams are becoming increasingly popular.
Face-to-face sessions take place in a private practice in Amsterdam, opposite of Amsterdam Sloterdijk station, at the West side of Amsterdam. This setting allows for full confidentiality and undistracted focus. The walk & talk sessions take place outdoors in Westerpark in Amsterdam.
All types of online conversations, including the discovery call and the calibration session, take place remotely using Microsoft Teams software.
For all types of appointments, upon completing your booking you will receive the exact instructions in a confirmation email. The message will include a route description or, alternatively, video call access details.
LaMatu offers three types of sessions: face-to-face, walk & talk and online conversations. Each conversation is a unique experience as every session is tailored to your specific needs.
A face-to-face conversation allows a real-live human interaction. This format allows you to discover the power of real connection to uncover the answers to your life’s most important questions. The face-to-face sessions take place in a private coaching practice located opposite of Amsterdam Sloterdijk station.
A walk & talk is an outdoor session format in Westerpark, Amsterdam. The coaching conversation takes place during a walk in the park at your own, natural pace. While the tempo is individual, there is typically more room for silence and reflection. The fact that there is no need for constant eye contact makes the session feel less intense. For all those reasons many people experience that thanks to this format the conversation takes a more natural flow.
An outdoor session perfectly suited not only for introverts and highly-sensitive people, but also for those who cannot sit still or simply want to incorporate more movement into their sedentary lifestyle. You get your daily dose of movement and fresh air and, as opposed to online sessions, you limit your daily screen time. A gentle form movement, exposure to natural light and greenery are all proven methods that contribute to our wellbeing and reduce the stress that the modern city live exerts upon us. Walking in nature has many additional benefits such as fostering creative, out-of-the-box thinking.
The online conversation format is well suited for those living outside of Amsterdam, digital nomads, frequent travellers, parents of young children, or anyone who likes to save commute time, be efficient and get straight to the point. Plan an online coaching conversation from the comfort of your own home, office or any location you wish to choose.
A mix & match of the three formats within one trajectory is also possible, so you don’t need to commit to a single format for your entire trajectory. Are you finding it difficult to choose? Schedule a free discovery call and we can talk through all the options.
New clients are welcome to book a complimentary Discovery Call, which is a single session intended to help both sides make a decision regarding starting to work together. LaMatu only offers coaching packages consisting of multiple sessions to its new clients. Single sessions are only available to existing clients of LaMatu and can be booked as a prolongation of their coaching trajectory or a calibration session at a later stage.
Once you feel ready to start the process, you will need to create some space for it in your life. See the time you dedicate to your coaching trajectory as time invested in yourself. In the future you may be looking at that period of your life as time of personal growth. Being generous with time that you allow for your inner growth is an expression of self-care. As nature teaches us, time is needed for plant seeds to emerge and manifest in their new form.
In order to embark on a coaching journey, you will need to take the time needed to meet with the coach on a regular basis, minimum once in a fortnight. The frequency of sessions is mutually determined by the coach and the coachee. The appointments usually take place on a weekly or a bi-weekly basis. This intensity on one hand ensures that the momentum is maintained, and on the other allows enough space in-between the sessions to integrate the new insights and apply the learnings in real life.
If your session takes place in the morning of in the afternoon, create a buffer straight afterwards with some alone time instead of rushing to your next appointment. Ideally you would plan a quiet evening after the session, avoiding a busy agenda, stressful deadlines, work commitments and social functions. This way you make sure to have ample space to process and integrate everything that may resurface during the session.
To make the most of your coaching trajectory I recommend that you reserve some time in your agenda. How well you prepare before each session, how much time you allow yourself for self-reflection, whether you wish to complete some exercises in-between the sessions is entirely up to you. The simple rule of thumb is that the more time you are willing to dedicate, the more effective the process will be.
If are willing to do some additional work on your own in-between the sessions, then I recommend that you set aside some time for that purpose. 90 minutes per week, which corresponds to about 15 minutes a day should be sufficient. Doing so will allow you to actively engage in exercises custom-designed for your specific development requirements. This time may be needed for self-enquiry, journaling and other practices that we will identify together as we go. The exercises are designed to ensure that you remain actively involved in your self-discovery process throughout the coaching trajectory.
LaMatu is based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and supports both individual clients and organisations across Europe. LaMatu does not currently operate outside the EU market. All coaching and mentoring sessions and most of the in-company workshops can be offered as virtual sessions, making them accessible to professionals based in any country within the European Union.
You can choose for the sessions to be held in either Dutch, English or Polish. In order for us to work together you will need to be able to express yourself in one of those tongues. Besides these three languages I am also fluent in German and Spanish, and can understand basic Russian and French. If it’s easier for you to use a mixture of those languages, that will work for me. The inner world is not always easy to put into words, but true communication happens on a level much deeper than language, so I’m confident that we can find a good way to relate to each other.
Intercultural communication is a critical skill in today’s world. It helps us unify and develop harmonious relations instead of creating more divisions. Living, studying and working in 4 different European countries together with extensive travels to 63 countries across 5 different continents have contributed to the development of my cross-cultural sensitivity. Through my personal interests, by studying language and cultures I gained more insights into the cultural aspects of human relations. My own expat experience, which spans across over 2 decades of studying and working abroad in culturally diverse environments have helped me develop an international mindset.
Yes, if you realise that you need more time, you can always book an extension. It is possible to extend your trajectory with either a single or more sessions. If you decide upgrade your coaching package, it is important to communicate that decision prior to your last session.
Of course, LaMatu makes it easy for you to plan and schedule your coaching sessions directly using an online booking system. You will get access to an online booking tool, which will remain valid throughout your trajectory. This will allow you to plan new sessions and to reschedule your existent appointments if needed, giving you the flexibility to manage your agenda at your own accord in a quick and efficient way.
What is included in a coaching package?
INTRODUCTION
A regular coaching conversation at LaMatu takes 60 minutes. Except for the online intake call, which is 30-minutes-long, I do not offer shorter sessions. Although each conversation is different and requires an individual approach, in my experience a full hour of an in-depth conversation is the right amount of time needed to make the session impactful.
While the majority of the conversations last 60 minutes, on some occasions we may mutually decide to end the session after 45 minutes, or we may need to extend the duration to 75 minutes. This amount of time allows for an in-depth inquiry, creating awareness, generation options and determining the future course of action. All of these steps take time and are a pre-requisite for creating lasting change.
You can choose between different coaching packages of multiple sessions. All packages of include a free 30-minute-long online discovery call, “Get the most of your coaching” e-booklet, custom-made exercises in-between the sessions and email support throughout the trajectory.
While packages typically have a lower cost per session, they have limited validity date. All sessions within a coaching package should be used within that period, after which the unused credits lose their validity.
You may always adjust the coaching session format at a later stage. For example, when you need to be traveling, you may opt for a digital session instead of visiting the LaMatu coaching practice to meet face-to-face. If you live outside of Amsterdam, you may choose to come in for the first and last session and do the remaining sessions online. In practice, most trajectories end up being hybrid. LaMatu offers its clients the flexibility to work around their schedules.
When it comes to booking packages of multiple sessions, you will only need to schedule your first appointment during the online booking process. We will then identify together the best meeting frequency for your individual needs. You may want to plan ahead and schedule all of your sessions in advance. If you prefer to remain flexible, we can also schedule subsequent appointments one-by-one at the end of each session. At LaMatu you can choose the planning approach that works best for you.
To make the most of your coaching trajectory I recommend that you reserve some time in your agenda. How well you prepare before each session, how much time you allow yourself for self-reflection, whether you wish to complete some exercises in-between the sessions is entirely up to you. The simple rule of thumb is that the more time you are willing to dedicate, the more effective the process will be.
If are willing to do some additional work on your own in-between the sessions, then I recommend that you set aside some time for that purpose. 90 minutes per week, which corresponds to about 15 minutes a day should be sufficient. Doing so will allow you to actively engage in exercises custom-designed for your specific development requirements. This time may be needed for self-enquiry, journaling and other practices that we will identify together as we go. The exercises are designed to ensure that you remain actively involved in your self-discovery process throughout the coaching trajectory.
Yes, LaMatu works with proven methods such as scientifically developed psychometric tests. Personality, strengths and values assessments are an important part of LaMatu’s coaching and training approach. Depending on your goals, and if you are open to this method, we may integrate tools such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), EQ-i 2.0, Insights Discovery, or VIA Character Strengths into our sessions. These tests provide valuable insights into communication styles, decision-making preferences, and natural strengths.
Individual coaching clients are welcome to share results from previously conducted personality assessments such as Hogan Personality Inventory, CliftonStrengths, DiSC Personality Assessment, Gallup, Birkman, Enneagram, Human Design, Big Five Personality Traits, or Calliper Profile and we will use them as a starting point for deeper exploration.
For corporate workshops, LaMatu can provide access to assessments and deliver team debriefs to translate results into practical workplace strategies. Assessments are always followed by a guided debrief to ensure the results are applied in a meaningful and actionable way, supporting professional growth, leadership development, and team collaboration.
On top of the “Get the most of your coaching” e-booklet, LaMatu shares many additional resources with its clients tailored to each individual trajectory. Most popular tools are personality tests, goal-setting worksheets, habit trackers and planning templates. You can also expect daily email prompts for guided journaling, dedicated to a specific topic that you are working on. The exercises and assignments are designed to ensure that you remain actively involved in your self-discovery process throughout the coaching trajectory.
For job seekers they can take thee form of list of companies, networking organisations, job interview questions etc. Those assignments will keep you active and productive in-between the sessions.
In addition, I regularly share valuable contacts with my coaching clients. I have established a broad professional network and am always happy to recommend reliable professionals to my coachees. My list includes headshot photographers and personal stylists who will help you to dress properly for a job interview. Do you need legal help reviewing your employment contract or negotiating a settlement agreement? I will connect you with an employment lawyer that can support you in the process.
I have a broad network and am always happy to recommend other professionals to my clients. My list includes headshot photographers and personal stylists who will help you to dress properly for a job interview. Do you need legal help reviewing your employment contract or negotiating a settlement agreement? I will connect you with an employment lawyer that can support you in the process.
How DO I prepare for MY coaching SESSION?s
INTRODUCTION
The 30-minute Discovery Call is a complimentary video meeting via MS Teams. It is offered to new clients free of charge. The purpose of this session is for us to explore whether we’d be a good fit to work together. This meeting is an opportunity for us to connect, discuss your challenges and goals, and explore if the coaching approach of LaMatu aligns with your needs.
Each coaching session is different, as the approach and the method is uniquely tailored to your individual needs. A typical conversation, no matter which format you may choose, will include a lot of questions on the part of the coach and answers on the part of the coachee. In a typical coaching scenario, the focus is not on the past, but on the present reality, defining current options and possible future outcomes.
In that sense, a coaching session is being co-created as a dialogue between two equal partners. While the coach facilitates the process, it is the coachee who is really in charge. The latter plays an active role throughout the session and remains fully responsible for choosing the course of action at any stage of the coaching trajectory.
While the online sessions and the walk & talk format are primarily a dialogue, a visit in the coaching practice allows for more versatility in terms of formats and tools. During the sessions held at the coaching practice we may choose to use pen & paper or coaching tools such as cards. At times, we may apply methods such as a guided meditation, visualisation and breathing exercises. In any case, the coachees can always decide if they want to engage in a particular exercise and are comfortable with that format.
Typically, the session ends with a summary of the decisions made and actions that the coachee commits to complete over the course of time, usually before the next session. Lastly, a session may result in some follow-up actions that the coachee will complete in-between the sessions. That is not limited to following through on the decisions made during the session, but can also include journaling exercises, answering a set of questions in writing, completing a personality test, making a list or drawing up a plan of action.
You’ve probably been playing around with the idea for a while. Several people have recommended it to you and it seems like a really good idea. But now, browsing through this website you start thinking that maybe it’s not the right moment for you. You already have so much going on in your life and you first need to tackle all that. Finish a project, sort out your finances, get into a good workout routine, make time for your partner, family and friends… Maybe go on a holiday first and finally get some rest? Then the timing will be better.
Sounds familiar? As a bright and creative person, you can easily come up with at least a dozen of plausible excuses why it’s better to postpone scheduling your first coaching appointment. No matter how many excuses have you come up with, and how plausible they may sound, it all boils down to one thing: procrastination.
Ok then, you will give it a try. As you are almost ready to make a booking you realise that you really urgently need to eat something. Your gut feeling tells you that you can’t decide on an empty stomach. So you leave the computer and then suddenly you find yourself watching Netflix until late night hours. Tomorrow, you will get round to it tomorrow…
If you are really good at procrastinating, I have one little tip for you. Ask yourself the following question: “Which tiny positive action can I take now, before I start my procrastination activity?”. And so, by procrastinating at procrastinating you will actually get done something you initially meant put off.
How do you know if it’s the right time? The time is always right to do the right thing.
First of all, congratulations on taking the first step and booking your session! To quote one of the most influential coaches of our times Tony Robbins, it is in the moments of decision that destiny is shaped. How would you like to shape your destiny?
What is most important now, is that you set a positive intention for your session. In order to get clear about your goal and be able to formulate it well, it may be helpful for you to write it down prior to the meeting. Taking the time to prepare this way will help us direct the conversation towards your desired objective.
To make sure that you get the most of your session, please plan the logistics of you day well so that you can arrive on time without the need to stress and rush beforehand. In case of an online session make sure that you are in a place that is fully private so that you can speak openly and where you will not be disturbed.
Allow sufficient time for yourself immediately after the session so that you can collect your thoughts, reflect and write down your key insights and decisions. This will give you a chance to integrate the learnings and properly follow through on your newly designed action plan.
First of all, congratulations on taking the first step and booking your session! To quote one of the most influential coaches of our times Tony Robbins, it is in the moments of decision that destiny is shaped. How would you like to shape your destiny?
What is most important now, is that you set a positive intention for your session. In order to get clear about your goal and be able to formulate it well, it may be helpful for you to write it down prior to the meeting. Taking the time to prepare this way will help us direct the conversation towards your desired objective.
Which topics can I work on with a coach?
INTRODUCTION
Coaching may be applied to a variety of dilemmas encompassing both the professional and private sphere. The topics most commonly associated with coaching are those pertaining to career, such as managing career transitions, including changing jobs and starting a new business.
The goal of a coaching trajectory focused on career can be narrowed down to the practical aspects of the job hunt such drafting a target list of potential employers, successful networking, writing impactful application documents such cv and cover letter, preparing for job interviews.
Many coachees who find themselves in a career transition want to work on raising their self-awareness, getting insight into their strengths and gaining self-confidence. It may take the form of long-term career path planning, also called job crafting. In a broader sense, it may include choices that will tilt the work-life balance towards a state of better equilibrium for the individual.
Finding the elusive work-life balance came to be known as lifestyle design. What coined the term are the collective efforts of the recent generations to consciously choose and shape their way of life instead of following into the footsteps of their parents. The freedom of choice comes with enormous responsibility. No wonder that many young people feel its weight and are at a loss about what kind of balance they should be striving to attain in their life. This is where a coaching conversation can provide more clarity.
Blending various roles including work, household duties, parenthood, volounteering activities or other forms of service to the community requires juggling multiple demands. Many challenges arise due to the increasingly overlapping areas, as work tasks, care duties, and leisure activities all happen at the same time and often in the same space. For many people in the modern world the division of home environment and work environment can no longer be clearly delineated. Work is encroaching on the private territory, often at the cost of family, personal relations, leisure and last but not least, rest.
Demands of a modern life make it increasingly difficult to create room for incorporating healthy habits. The day seems too short to find the time needed for eating nutritious food, hydrating well, an exercising routine, let alone for sufficient sleep. When the mind goes into overdrive, the needs of the body and the soul are easily overlooked. Often neglected remain the needs to rewind and relax, rest and restore, spend the time to meditation and spiritual practices.
As we feel the incessant pressure to stay busy and productive at all times, recreation, fun and leisure activities find no place in our brim-full agendas. With such busy schedules it’s no wonder many people are missing a sense of joy and adventure in their daily existence. Many people lack the sense of freedom to explore and engage in creative pursuits in a guilt-free way. With depleted energy levels fatigue slowly creeps in, which if unaddressed for too long, can lead to a burn-out. Luckily this vicious cycle can be reversed and your vitality can be restored to its optimal levels. With newly found energy you can face the world without being swallowed by it.
A coach can help you identify the ways to incorporate healthy habits into your routine so that you can effectively replenish your energy and regain your zest for life. Once you rediscover how you can best tap into your own energy sources, you will be ready to face the world’s demands afresh with a newly found sense of aliveness.
No man is an island. Interpersonal relations play a central part in our lives and are a key source of learning. Family and friends, significant others, neighbours, co-workers, all the people around us, the quality of our relationships determines the quality of our existence.
The cult of independence and aspirations of self-made success proclaimed by the modern Western culture leave many people feeling detached and isolated. No wonder that even highly regarded and otherwise successful people often face difficulties in the area of relationships. These issues range from difficulties in attracting a new partner, difficulties in opening up and being vulnerable, dealing with rejection and ghosting in dating, heartbreak, insecurity, relationships troubled with jealousy, commitment issues, unhealthy attachment patterns, infidelity, to name just a few.
Loneliness is the modern world’s secret epidemic. It lies in stern contrast with the popularity we like to portray in our social media profiles, as loneliness comes with a lot of shame. Advances in internet technology that enabled virtual work environments, ecommerce, social media and online dating result in less of real-life human contact on a daily basis. Oddly enough, using social media and online dating may have a contrary result such as superficial relationships or feelings of isolation and loneliness.
If the area of relationships is something that you would like to improve, discussing it with a life coach may a first step to create positive change. Coaching clients may choose to work on various relationships goals such as strengthening family bonds, maintaining deep, meaningful relationships, resolving conflict with neighbours, improving relationships with their colleagues, forming new intimate relations, rediscovering the value friendships or finding new friends.
The area of finances is a key aspect of the material world that most people struggle with, irrespectively of their level of material wealth. It is also one of the top reasons for arguments within the family. While talking about money is often considered a taboo, this topic is perfectly suited to be discussed in full confidentiality with your coach. Money goals may be formulated as getting out of debt, achieving financial security, attaining financial wellbeing or the ultimate goal of achieving financial independence.
The inner work than needs to be done often includes debunking limiting beliefs around wealth and developing what is called in the personal-development world ‘a millionaire mindset’. While the law of attraction starts becoming an increasingly mainstream topic, there are many misconceptions around applying this concept in real life. What is often forgotten that even with the best attitude, eventually some form of action needs to follow suit. This may include anything from learning to budget expenses, adjusting spending habits up or down, creating alternative sources of income, contributing to a charity, changing jobs or starting a new venture. Together with the help of a professional coach you can identify the best course of action to help you realise your particular financial aspirations.
It is important to mention that LaMatu is not a licensed financial advisor, and the information presented should not be considered as financial advice. LaMatu is not providing legal, financial, investment, tax, or accounting advice. Please bear in mind that any reliance you place on the information provided is at your own risk.
Coaching can effectively address problems related to procrastination and motivation. Procrastination and lack of motivation are one of the culprits that the majority of coachees struggle with. We all procrastinate for different reasons and in different areas of our lives, which is why there is no simple recipe that would miraculously work to uproot the stubborn habit of procrastinating once and for all. That said, gaining better awareness about your own thoughts, emotions and and behaviour thought patterns can be a powerful tool to disarm this common culprit. A better understanding of mechanisms such as avoiding guilt and seeking pleasure can lead to valuable insights and breakthroughs in that area. The shift may involve to start perceiving self-care as an expression of self-love as opposed to laziness and indulgence.
Since the positive psychology movement gained in popularity, we started paying more attention to the intrinsic motivation as opposed to merely looking at extrinsic motivation such as external incentives and rewards. More often than not it is the intangible attributes such as motivation, inner drive and perseverance that determine the individual’s success as opposed to a particular skillset and knowledge.
Willpower and discipline can get you only as far. Unless your inner fire is burning brightly, you may not find the strength to keep going in face of adversity. It is rarely crowded on the last mile. Finding one’s purpose and discovering meaning is the source to sustain motivation. Hiring a professional coach can help you tap into your internal motivation sources so that you can feel inspired and committed to reach your goals.
If left unchecked, imposter syndrome can significantly impede both personal and professional development. This pervasive feeling of self-doubt and fear of being exposed as a “fraud” can be debilitating. Through our coaching sessions, I help clients to recognise and challenge these self-limiting beliefs. By developing a more realistic and positive self-assessment, clients can gain a true understanding of their achievements and build confidence in their skills and capabilities.
Reviewing your application documents falls within a standard scope of coaching services offered by LaMatu. You may share your documents per email and I will be happy to provide you with feedback. When it comes to LinkedIn optimisation, you will typically get some homework with detailed instructions on how to improve your profile.
Over the years LaMatu has carefully compiled and verified specific resources for job seekers. They can take thee form of list of companies, networking organisations, niche events, alternative job search strategies or tricky interview questions.
Up to 30 minutes od email support in-between each two consecutive sessions is included within the trajectory, which time will never be exceeded without your prior authorisation.
What is the coaching agreement?
INTRODUCTION
The type of a coaching session may be adjusted by either the coachee or the coach upon mutual agreement with a minimum of 24 hours’ notice. Email is the primary method to communicate around session type changes. In case of an urgent need to change the type of the session with a less than 24 hours’ notice before the planned session, the coach or the coachee will notify the other side either by email or phone.
For example a walk & talk session may be converted to an online session upon mutual agreement, for example due to bad weather conditions. Similarly, adjusting a face-to-face session to an online one may be a good choice due to health and safety considerations, as well as in case of unexpected travel or care duties at home.
Coaching sessions can be rescheduled by either the coachee or the coach upon mutual agreement with a minimum of 24 hours’ notice. Changes can be made by the coachee directly in the Calendly tool by using the “Reschedule” button. Email is the primary method to communicate around schedule changes.
In case of an urgent need to postpone or advance the session with a less than 24 hours’ notice before the originally planned session start, the coach or coachee will notify the other side either by email or by mobile phone.
Rescheduling a free intake is free of charge irrespectively of the notice period. An administrative fee associated with rescheduling a paid session by the coachee while observing the 24 hours’ notice period will be charged for each instance of rescheduling the session. An attempt of rescheduling a paid session later than 24 hours in advance will result in incurring full session fee and losing the session credit.
Appointments may be cancelled by both sides up to until 24 hours before the planned session start. Email is the primary method to communicate the decision to cancel the appointment. In case of an urgent need to cancel the session with a less than 24 hours’ notice before the planned session, the coach or the coachee will notify the other side either by email or by mobile phone.
There are no additional costs associated with cancelling a free intake session by the coachee, irrespectively of the notice period. A cancellation of a paid session communicated later than 24 hours in advance or a no-show during the first 15 minutes of the session will result in incurring a full session fee and losing the session credit. In case of a cancellation initiated by the coachee or a no-show, no refunds will be offered for sessions that had been paid upfront.
In case the coach feels obliged to cancel the sessions, e.g., due to health and safety reasons or ethical concerns, the coachee will receive a full refund for the sessions that had been paid for upfront and eventually cancelled by the coach, irrespectively of the notice period.
There are no strings attached. An intake call only, a single session, a workshop or a full trajectory consisting of several meetings, you decide how long you want to continue with your coaching journey.
Either the coachee or the coach may exit the coaching relationship at any time without specifying the reason. Both sides may mutually agree to end a session earlier than the designated end time. When either side decides not to continue after an intake or a single session, no future sessions will be planned. A coaching trajectory consisting of several sessions may also be stopped at any time. In that case the termination is subject to a notice period of minimum 24 hours prior to the start of the next scheduled session.
There are no additional costs associated with terminating the coaching relationship. Please bear in mind that there are no refunds offered for the unused credits of a coaching package. All bookings are non-transferrable, which means that the unused part of a package may not be transferred to a different coachee.
Your personal information shall be handled with utmost care for your privacy. Our interactions will remain fully confidential. The conversations will never be recorded without your explicit consent. The coach obliges to maintain confidentiality of the coachee and handle the coachee’s private information according to the rules stipulated by the European GDPR directives and the local Dutch privacy legislation.
To maintain a safe and confidential space, coaching sessions are not recorded. This helps protect your privacy and ensures an open, honest dialogue. If there’s ever a reason to record a session (for example, for training purposes), it must be discussed and agreed upon in writing by both you and your coach in advance.
Email is the primary communication channel to be used between the coach and coachee in-between the sessions. In case of urgencies (short notice of less than 24 hours prior to the scheduled session) mobile communications by a phone, voicemail, SMS or WhatsApp may be used.
Keeping the communication lines simple and streamlined makes things simple and helps us maintain the necessary focus by avoiding unnecessary distractions. Even more importantly, it guarantees compliance with data protection regulations and protects your privacy. This is why alternative communication channels such as LinkedIn, Skype, Telegram, Signal, Facebook or Instagram shall not be used for the purpose of the coaching trajectory.
DOES LAMATU PROVIDE IN-COMPANY SERVICES?
INTRODUCTION
LaMatu offers a variety of professional services to companies and organisations. Those services include public speaking, training, workshops, individual coaching and confidential advisory services (nl.: vertrouwenspersoon).
Are you a corporate client interested in professional services? Please reach out by email or schedule a free Discovery Call to receive a customised offer.
Yes. LaMatu provides tailored outplacement coaching programmes for professionals who are transitioning out of their current employment. Outplacement support is often offered by the employer as part of a settlement agreement ad is aimed at improving future employability prospects. It gives the employee access to a dedicated budget to invest in their future career. If you would like to make use of such a budget, please get in touch to receive a personalised offer.
Over the course of the years LaMatu has worked with multiple companies, offering its services to their employees within the framework of such programmes. Its programmes are carefully designed to help clients rebuild confidence, clarify career direction, and improve their employability. Depending on individual needs, outplacement coaching may include:
– Identifying transferable skills and strengths
– Exploring new career paths, industries, or entrepreneurship
– Guidance on CVs, LinkedIn profiles, and job applications
– Support with networking and personal branding
– Interview preparation and salary negotiation
If you would like to make use of an outplacement budget, please get in touch to receive a personalised offer tailored to your goals and timeline.
Sometimes the payment is handled directly by the company. In other cases the employee advances the payment out of their own pocket and is later reimbursed by the employer. For specific requests related to invoicing, cost reimbursement and payment terms for corporate clients please send an email with your inquiry.
LaMatu designs and delivers professional in-company training sessions tailored to the needs of international teams and organisations. Workshops can be offered as short seminars (3 hours), half-day workshops (4 hours), or full-day masterclasses (8 hours), depending on the depth and interactivity desired. One of the most popular modules is on focus and attention. Other topics range from leadership development and team collaboration to intercultural communication, confidence building, and conflict resolution. Each session combines practical tools, positive psychology, and engaging exercises such as role-plays, case studies, and simulation games. All workshops can be customised to your company’s context to ensure they directly support your learning and development objectives.
In-person training sessions on location can be delivered as a short keynote presentation of up to 30 minutes, a 3-hour seminar, a 4-hour half-day workshop, or a full-day masterclass. The longer the format, the more interactive the session, with opportunities for deeper reflection, individual practice, exercises in couples and teamwork. In addition to in-company sessions at the client’s premises or an offsite meeting venue, LaMatu also provides online online training sessions and live webinars.
Each training package by LaMatu typically includes:
– A preparatory intake with Human Resources/ People & Culture/ Learning & Development team.
– Participant invitation and pre-work.
– Printed workshop handouts.
– Anonymised evaluation forms.
– A follow-up email with additional resources and reading.
– Optional add-ons include a registration system and one-on-one follow-up coaching sessions.
What are the payment options?
INTRODUCTION
Many companies offer their employees a learning & development budget, which may be used for coaching or personal development workshops. LaMatu regularly works with a variety of companies, offering its services to their employees within the framework of such programmes.
Sometimes the payment is handled directly by the company. In other cases the employee advances the payment out of their own pocket and is later reimbursed by the employer.
If you would like to make use of such a personal budget offered by your employer, please get in touch to receive a personalised offer. For specific requests related to invoicing, cost reimbursement and payment terms for corporate clients please send an email to hello@lamatu.com with your inquiry.
LaMatu regularly works with a variety of companies, offering its services to their employees within the framework of such programmes. Sometimes the payment is handled directly by the company. In other cases the employee advances the payment out of their own pocket and is later reimbursed by the employer.
For specific requests related to invoicing, reimbursement of costs and payment terms for corporate clients please send an email to hello@laamtu.com with your inquiry.
Individual clients may complete their booking and process their payment online directly through the LaMatu website. The website automatically processes online payments using the services of Moneybird B.V., a company based in Amsterdam that services digital payment transactions.
You may select your preferred payment method from the available options including iDeal, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay and credit cards including American Express, MasterCard and VISA. For inquiries regarding reimbursements or direct payments by your employer, please reach out by email to hello@lamatu.com.
Payment upon invoice is only available for companies. If you are a corporate client or an individual making use of your employer’s learning and development or outplacement budget, please contact LaMatu to request an offer by email. You will receive a custom-made proposal including payment terms.
Payment upon invoice is only available for companies. If you are a corporate client or an individual making use of your employer’s learning and development or outplacement budget, please contact LaMatu to request an offer by email. You will receive a custom-made proposal including payment terms.
The cost of coaching sessions in the Netherlands is a tax-deductible allowable expense for those who own small businesses or are self-employed. That means that an individual taxpayer or a business can subtract the amount they had spent on coaching from adjusted gross income while completing a tax form. As a result, the taxable income and eventually also the amount of income taxes owed are reduced.
Please note that LaMatu is not qualified to provide tax advice. No rights can be derived from this information. Before making a financial decision please first consult your tax advisor to verify if you meet the conditions to be entitled to tax deductions. For more information about local tax regulations please consult the website of the Dutch tax authorities (Belastingdienst) or the local institution in your country.
For clients based in the Netherlands the invoice will feature the regular Dutch BTW (VAT) amount, which is currently 21%. If your business is registered in another EU-member country and you would like the invoice to be addressed to your company, the reverse charge mechanism may apply. Please let LaMatu know about this requirement and provide your company’s valid VAT number prior to booking. In this case a 0% VAT rate can be applied as an exception. Please note that retroactive changes, requested after the payment stage, will not possible.
Please note that LaMatu is not qualified to provide tax advice. No rights can be derived from this information. Before making a financial decision please first consult your tax advisor to verify if you meet the conditions to be entitled to tax deductions. For more information about local tax regulations please consult the website of the Dutch tax authorities (Belastingdienst) or the local institution in your country.
LaMatu issues invoices for all its paid services. All invoices will be processed using the services of MoneyBird B.V. All invoices feature the applicable BTW (VAT) rate and amount, and can therefore be used for filling in your tax declaration and claiming tax deductions. If you would like the invoice to be addressed to your company, please provide your company’s details during the booking process. Please note that retroactive changes such as adjusting the entity or BTW (VAT) rate, requested after the payment stage, will not possible.
‘It is in the moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.’
