‘It is in the moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.’
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Is coaching the right method for me?
Coaching is a non-therapeutic intervention intended for coachees who wish to enhance their performance or improve their work or personal situation. The coaching trajectory is based on voluntary participation of the coachee and requires the coachee to take the responsibility for their own direction. The coach and coachee come to a mutual agreement about the nature of coaching. The purpose of the coaching relationship is to support the coachee’s well-being and aid progress in achieving of their personal goals. The relationship between the coach and coachee is based on mutual respect, equality and honouring the freedom of choice.
Coaching is a non-therapeutic method. The coach does not have any medical training and therefore cannot be considered in any way alternative or complementary to the doctor, psychiatrist, psychotherapist and/ or psychologist. She does not deal with diagnosis, medical pathologies or treating symptoms. It remains the coachee’s responsibility to contact a medical professional in case of ailments and diseases and, if already under treatment, not to suspend the therapy as provided by the doctor, psychiatrist, psychotherapist and/ or psychologist.
Coaching may counteract with traditional forms of therapy as provided by the doctor, psychiatrist, psychotherapist and/ or psychologist. If you already are under treatment, please consult your medical professional to determine whether a coaching trajectory would be beneficial for you.
You may choose to combine coaching with alternative healing modalities such as energy healing over the same period of time. When it comes to natural healing methods and coaching, in principle they may be used complimentarily next to each other. Be transparent and always consult with all specialists to seek their professional advice upfront. This way you can make sure that there are no counter-indications for combining different methods throughout your coaching trajectory.
Coaching is non-denominational and respects your religious beliefs. You may experience that maintaining your own spiritual practices such as prayer, gatherings, meditation, mindfulness, or yoga in parallel to a coaching trajectory is beneficial to your process. Coaching is not meant as a shortcut to skip any spiritual lessons; instead, it can help you on your path of spiritual growth. You will develop better self-knowledge, gain new perspectives and clarity along the way.
A holistic life coach looks at multiple aspects of your life and tries to see the full picture of you as a person. A holistic approach is integrative, taking into consideration all aspects of our human existence including body, mind and soul. This philosophy may be applied to coaching, always respecting the individual’s beliefs and worldview.
Holistic life coaching takes into consideration physical, emotional, mental and spiritual wellbeing of the individual as well as his/ her relationships with others and the world. A holistic assessment will typically entail various facets of your life. Such a comprehensive understanding allows to identify possible misbalances and restore harmony between various areas of the coachee's life, such as attaining the ever-elusive "work-life balance".
Monika’s personal experience with holistic methods spans across meditation including a vipassana retreat, yoga, ayurveda, breathing techniques and various energy healing modalities. She attended numerous live seminars with Tony Robbins, Ester Hicks and Deepak Chopra.
In 2022 Monika passed the screening process of the professional association for alternative therapists Dutch Collectief Alternatieve Therapeuten (CAT). She is a certified Yoga Teacher Registered Yoga Teacher RYT® 200. Her studies at Delight Yoga Academy took her to Amsterdam and the Hague in the Netherlands and to D’Alijo Yoga Retreat Center in Portugal. In 2022 she concluded her "Yoga and Ayurveda" teacher apprenticeship programme at Delight Yoga School in Amsterdam. She is currently pursuing her advanced yoga studies at Delight Yoga Academy in Amsterdam, which she expects to complete in November 2022 with a RYT® 500 credential registered at the Yoga Alliance.
Coaching is not for everyone. It requires a certain degree of maturity, independent thinking, emotional and mental stability. Assuming responsibility for your own developmental process lies at the core of the coaching methodology.
You need to be coachable. Being coachable means being honest with yourself, being willing to take a good look at yourself and to try on new, different ways. You also need to feel ready to start the process now and create some space for it in your life.
If you are currently being treated by a medical doctor, psychiatrist, psychotherapist and/ or psychologist, please consult your healthcare professional first before making the decision to book your first coaching appointment.
Personal growth is a broad term strongly linked to coaching. It encompasses topics such as getting out of the comfort zone, fear of failure, adapting a growth mindset, learning new skills, dealing with change, building resilience, overcoming rejection, bouncing back after a setback all fall within this broad category. Self-development can be focused on motivation, overcoming procrastination, goal-setting, decision-making skills, time management, willpower and healthy habit building. Challenges that manifest in that area include dealing with the common culprits such as fear of failure, judgement, rejection, criticism, imposter syndrome.
While personal growth is often associated with ambitious goal-setting and ticking off items on bucket lists, it is much more than that. It can also take more gentle forms of quiet inner growth in a time of apparent outer stillness, finding peace and acceptance, practicing mindfulness, discovering joy and beauty in the mundane and simple life.
Coachees on a spiritual path are often seeking answers to finding their life purpose. Identifying their personal mission can give their life a deeper meaning and help them find ways in which they can contribute to a higher goal. Those who have embarked on a soul-searching journey know that it is often a path fraught with many challenges, tests, and difficult decisions. The quest may include finding a way to reconcile material reality with the spiritual outlook. In times of deep transformation, a coach can help you manoeuvrer through the period of trials and tribulations, often called the dark night of the soul, until the sailing waters smoothen out and more light appears on the horizon.
Transformational coaching may result in helping the client change the way they see themselves. One of the transformative powers of coaching may be revealed by a quote of Wayne Dyer, who said that when we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change. Increasing self-awareness allows the natural transformative power of the subconscious into your consciousness.
The process is always experiential and unscripted. The main method utilised during a coaching session is a simple dialogue, consisting of powerful questions that encourage the coachee to look at their problem from a new perspective. Other methods such as writing exercises, insight cards and guided meditations may also be utilised.
Decision paralysis is such a waste of your precious life and that is the last thing that I want for you. Make a choice. Fortune favours the bold. Flip a coin, roll a dice, swing a pendulum, play the flower petal game, anything will do as long as you can make a step and get moving in the right direction.
Still undecided? I’m happy to help you clear all your doubts and decide for yourself during a free online intake session. This try-out session offers you the possibility to explore with no strings attached, zero risk and completely for free.
Is Monika is the right coach for me?
Monika holds 4 Master degrees and studied at 4 different universities over the course of 1999 – 2005, including Warsaw University, Warsaw School of Economics, University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany and ESADE Business School in Barcelona. 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 has also completed post-graduate studies at CEMS, the Global Alliance of Management Education, where she graduated as Master’s in International Management.
In addition to her university degrees, throughout her 16-year-long corporate career she has had the opportunity to attend numerous seminars and courses in the area of communications, coaching and team management. Through her work and by pursuing her personal interests she has been exploring the world of consulting, professional training, personal development, mentoring and coaching. Monika holds several professional accreditations in the fields of project management, professional coaching, NLP and yoga.
She has extensive project management background and 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 planning, scheduling, risk management and decision making.
In 2022 LaMatu passed the screening process of the professional association for alternative therapists Dutch Collectief Alternatieve Therapeuten (CAT). Monika has been a member of the International Coaching Federation since January 2022 and holds an ICF credential ID number 009650954I. She completed over 250 hours of Certified Professional Coach training at the Dutch Associate voor Coaching in the period between September 2021 and January 2022. She also also trained in Neuro-Linguistic Programming with Richard Bandler in London, UK a credential ID 200119 by The Society of Neuro-Linguistic Programming™. She holds a certificate of Master Practitioner of NLP issued by UNLP.
Monika is a certified Registered Yoga Teacher RYT® 200. Her studies at Delight Yoga Academy started in November 2021 and took place in Amsterdam, D’Alijo Yoga Retreat Center in Portugal and the Hague, ending with a final exam and graduation in September 2021. In 2022 she started her yoga and ayurveda teacher apprenticeship programme at Delight Yoga assisting Tory Hyndman over the course of half a year. She is continued to pursue her advanced yoga studies at Delight Yoga Academy in Amsterdam, which she completed with a RYT® 500 credential registered at the Yoga Alliance.
Monika holds multiple business degrees and project management credentials. After completing her studies, she 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 professional career 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 several digital marketing conferences.
As a team manager Monika was in charge of motivating, coaching and developing her team. She dealt with a variety of HR-related topics including recruitment, learning plans and career path for her team members. Her calm demeanour and logical approach helped her provide a sense of stability while managing teams through times of major external changes and internal transformation. Her management style can be described as putting people first, which is she has continuously demonstrated by devoting much of her time and attention to mentoring and coaching her team members.
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.
The focus lies on the present situation, which is used as a basis for creating a compelling future vision, as opposed to dwelling in the past. The clarity that emerges as a result of the coaching process provides a solid foundation for healthy life choices 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 or procrastination, dispelling the chaos of negative thoughts and thus facilitating 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.
In my work I encounter many coachees dealing with various expat life dilemmas, and intercultural challenges. People with a migration background often grapple with issues around sense of belonging, questions related to their identity and a plethora of topics related to integration, diversity and inclusion. Because of my personal experience I can relate to many of those challenges and support my coachees with the right dose of empathy and inspiration to make the most of that phase of their 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 skillset 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 manoeuvrer 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.
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 shady practices in the personal development world including misleading advertising, pyramid schemes and outright scam. The coaching industry has been repeatedly accused of brainwashing, manipulation and misconduct and gained itself a bad reputation. Many coaches lack the necessary professional credentials, formal education, experience, skills or, even worse, personal integrity.
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 remain cautious, 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 boarders 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 read through the terms and conditions of the coaching agreement before making the decision.
Your personal information to be handled with utmost care for your privacy and 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 local Dutch privacy legislation.
The sessions will be held in English, Dutch 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 main languages I am fluent in German and Spanish, and also 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 and working in 4 different European countries together with extensive travels to 57 countries across 5 different countries 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, studying and working in very diverse environments have helped me develop an international mindset.
What to expect during a coaching session?
An intake takes 30 minutes and takes the form of a video call. Please make sure that you are in a place where you can speak openly in full privacy. The session will start with a brief introduction round of the coach and yourself. The key goal of this conversation is to articulate where you are right now in your life and your intention for the coaching trajectory. An intake session helps you determine if you feel comfortable working with the coach and if coaching is a suitable methodology for you.
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.
A regular coaching conversation takes 75 minutes. Except for the online intake call, which is 30-minutes-long, I do not offer shorter sessions. In my experience a full hour of an in-depth conversation is the minimum amount of time needed to make the session impactful. While the majority of the conversations last 75 minutes, on some occasions we may mutually decide to end the session after 60 minutes, or we may need to extend the duration to 90 minutes. Although each conversation is different and requires an individual approach, in my experience 75 minutes is the optimal duration. 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.
Face-to-face sessions take place in the centre of Amsterdam at Equals Clubhouse. This location allows for full confidentiality and undistracted focus. The central location of Equals makes it easy to reach by bike and public transport.
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, will 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. The call will never be recorded without your consent.
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 conversation. 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 sessions take place in a private coaching practice located in the centre of Amsterdam, just outside of Jordaan district.
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.
It is 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.
Still undecided? I’m happy to discuss the options with you so that you can choose the best option during a 30-mintute-long free online discovery session. This is our opportunity to get to know each other and help you find out if coaching is the right approach for you. The try-out session offers you the possibility to explore with no strings attached, zero risk and completely for free.
For all three types of formats, you can either opt for a single session, or book a package of multiple sessions. All packages of multiple sessions 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.
Please note that an individually booked session may not be converted to a multi-session package at a later stage. While packages typically have a lower cost per session, they have limited validity date. All sessions within a package should be used within 1 calendar year from their date of purchase. After that period the package loses its validity and any unused sessions may no longer be claimed.
You may decide to alter the coaching session format upon agreeing with coach, for example when you are traveling you may opt for a digital session instead of visiting the practice to meet face-to-face.
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 what the best meeting frequency will be for your individual needs. You may want to plan ahead and schedule all sessions in advance, or prefer to schedule subsequent appointments together during our sessions.
How to plan and prepare for coaching?
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 relationship, friends and family… Maybe first go on a holiday and 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, it all boils down to one thing: procrastination.
Ok then, you will give it a try. But just before you press the button you realise that you really need to eat something now. Your gut feeling tells you that you can’t decide on an empty stomach. So you leave the computer and then 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 I 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 clear 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 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. Also 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.
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 make 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 in-between the sessions. I suggest freeing up to 90 minutes per week, which corresponds to about 15 minutes a day. 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 you will identify together with the coach. The exercises are designed to ensure that you remain actively involved in your self-discovery process throughout the coaching trajectory.
Please take some time ahead of the session to determine what kind of guidance you are seeking. The clearer your question, the more effective the session will be. I recommend starting with a topic that deeply matters to you. It will often be an area in which in the past you have had difficulty making and/or sustaining progress in. The topic may be related to both professional and private facets of life, or more often than not, a combination of both. Coaching is suitable to tackle questions pertaining to multiple life aspects such as lifestyle, wellbeing, finances, work or relationships.
Do you know that you want to create change in your life but find it difficult to formulate a clear intention? Don’t worry, it is not uncommon. Many people experience feelings of overwhelm, stress, fatigue, dissatisfaction or general lack of purpose in life. Sometimes your life may seem so out of whack that you do not even know where to start. That might be just the perfect moment to accept a little help from a professional coach.
An intention of the session may involve simply getting clarity on the area where you are currently lacking clarity. That initial step may provide you with a sense of direction that you need and eventually create a powerful momentum that will help you transform your life. And that will make all the difference. In any case, don’t make it too hard on yourself. A positive intention, no matter how vague it may initially sound, is already a good start.
Which topics can I work on with a coach?
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.
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.
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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.
What is the coaching agreement?
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 coachee will notify the other side either by email (monika@lamatu.com) or by mobile phone +31 6 25 58 43 01. I the case of the latter a regular cell phone or WhatsApp call, voice or text message can be used.
While an online session may not be upgraded to a live in-person session, the latter may be downgraded to a walk & talk format or an online conversation. Downgrading 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.
Also a walk & talk session may be converted to an online session upon mutual agreement, for example due to bad weather conditions or health considerations.
Coaching sessions can be rescheduled by either the coachee or the coach upon mutual agreement with a minimum of 24 hours’ notice. The email (monika@lamatu.com) 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. I the case of the latter a regular cell phone or WhatsApp call, voice or text message can be used (+31 6 25 58 43 01).
There is no cost associated with rescheduling a paid session while respecting the 24 hours’ notice period. An attempt of rescheduling a paid session later than 24 hours in advance will result in incurring full session fee. Rescheduling a free intake is free of charge irrespectively of the notice period.
The appointments may be cancelled by both sides up to until 24 hours before the planned session start. Email is a 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 coachee will notify the other side either by email (monika@lamatu.com) or by mobile phone (+31 6 25 58 43 01). I the case of the latter a regular cell phone or WhatsApp call, voice or text message can be used.
There are no additional costs associated with cancelling a free intake session, irrespectively of the notice period. A cancellation of a paid session communicated later than 24 hours in advance or a no-show will result in incurring a full session fee.
In case of a cancellation initiated by the coachee, no refunds will be offered for sessions that had been paid upfront. In case the coach is obliged to cancel the sessions, e.g., due to health, safety 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.
There are no strings attached, an intake only, a single session or a 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. Also a coaching trajectory consisting of several sessions may 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 part 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.
Email is the primary communication channel to be used between the coach and coachee in-between the sessions. Please use the following email address: monika@lamatu.com. 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. The mobile phone number to be used is: +31 6 25 58 43 01
Keeping the communication lines simple and streamlined makes things simple and helps us maintain the necessary focus by avoiding unnecessary distractions and at the same time guarantees privacy and data protection. 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.
What are the payment options?
It is possible to pay upon invoice. This option is typically preferred by companies. For direct bookings the website accepts online payments using the services of Mollie B.V., a company based in Amsterdam that provides digital transactions. This is why you will be redirected to an external site managed by Mollie B.V. during your booking process. You may choose between the following payment methods: credit card, iDEAL, PayPal, SEPA Bank Transfer, Bancontact and Przelewy24.
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. In some cases the employee advances the payment and is later reimbursed by the employer, in others the payment is handled directly by the company. For specific requests please schedule a free discovery call or send an email with your inquiry.
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. 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).
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.
LaMatu issues invoices for its coaching services. The invoice will feature the BTW (VAT) 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 upfront.
‘It is in the moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.’
