If you have been receiving this newsletter for several months, you may be intrigued by the concept of coaching and wonder what it is all about, and whether coaching would be a good fit for you.

What exactly do coaches do, and how do you get started? Coaching is unlike any other relationship you have experienced. It is supportive, challenging, action oriented and focused. A coach will champion your ideas and efforts and help you gain clarity around what is important to you. A spouse or partner, a colleague or employer, friend or family member each serve very important functions in your life. These are critical relationships for you, but are very different from talking weekly with a professional coach who understands who you are, your dreams and aspirations, and how to turn them into reality, one step at a time. A coach is not only supportive and objective, but also helps you identify the outcomes and accomplishments that will give your life more meaning.

Many coaches have specialty areas, including family and relationships, business and leadership, life, strategy, and transition. The Pittsburgh Coaches Association has over 30 professional coaches dedicated to helping people take action and move forward, and each has unique specialties to match your aspirations. What is it that you have wanted to do for a long time but obstacles, setbacks, or daily responsibilities have held you back from achieving? There may be burning issues in your life needing resolution, or just goals that you finally want to bring to fruition. A personal coach will work with you one-on- one to help you reach your personal and professional goals.

To have goals is one of the great challenges and exciting aspects of being human. To work directly with someone to realize your potential is a special opportunity. What are you waiting for? Now is your time.

The professional coaches of the Pittsburgh Coaches Association are listed on the PCA website here. Scroll down the list of coaches and visit individual coach websites to find the Pittsburgh coach that is a perfect match for you. Pick up the phone and call several coaches to ask them to describe how they can work with you. Most coaches are very happy to schedule a free hour with you to understand if they are the best fit for you and your ideas.

Coaches and guests of Pittsburgh Coaches Association also meet on the 2nd Wednesday of every month. On Wednesday, July 9, we are having a fun and informal meeting to discuss how the Pittsburgh Coaches Association can best serve clients, coaches, and the community. This is the perfect opportunity to meet Pittsburgh coaches and join in the discussion. The meeting is from 10 am to 12 pm, FREE of charge, and open to everyone. It will take place in the Panera Bread Meeting Room at the Point in North Fayette, Robinson, just off the Parkway at exit 2, if you are heading towards Pittsburgh International Airport. Turn left, and then left again at the first light to Panera.

To register click here and just send an e- mail to let us know you can join us.

We are looking forward to meeting you.

In addition to coaching and speaking, members of the Pittsburgh Coaches Association conduct workshops and seminars and for several years have also conducted teleclasses on a regular basis. These teleclasses are now held monthly, and are an opportunity for Pittsburgh coaches to share some of their coaching knowledge and experience with participants, as well as their passion for helping others to move forward and reach new levels.

Teleclass topics range from exceptionality to creating space, leadership, career tips and finding your dreams, and can help people to make important changes and take steps to reach their potential.

This month's teleclasses are on July16. Join us for a great learning experience with Pittsburgh coaches. Teleclasses take place throughout the day and are free to anyone who registers. Click here to register for one or all of theteleclasses. Registration takes is FREE. A conference call number will be immediately sent to you by e-mail.

Career Club with Chris Posti Tice

Imagine having the opportunity to ask the Career Coach columnist of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review any kind of career or workplace question that is on your mind! You can do just that, get answers to your questions with columnist and coach Chris Posti Tice, on Wednesday, July 16, when Chris leads a FREE Teleclass, Career Club: Tips, Tactics & Talk to Boost Your Career to New Heights and New Directions, at 5 pm by registering on-line here.

Chris is a seasoned executive coach, consultant, and outplacement expert who will guide you on the challenges of your professional career. Discussion will vary according to your interests and preferences, and promises to be lively, interactive and informative!

Whether you are plateaued, recently promoted or just want to be better in your current position, you are invited to just listen in or to fully participate.

Chris has been consulting since 1992, and a sampling of her clients includes Dick's Sporting Goods, GlaxoSmithKline, Marsh, Heinz North America, MSA, Impress USA, Converteam, PPG, Eat'n Park, and Giant Eagle Markets.

Prior to consulting, Chris held positions in technology, manufacturing, banking and academia in Pittsburgh, California, and Switzerland. She is past president of the Pittsburgh Coaches Association and past board member of the Pittsburgh Human Resources Association. She hosted CareerWorks on WPTT 1360-AM in Pittsburgh.

For more than a dozen years Chris has written the Sunday Career Coach column for the Pittsburgh Tribune- Review. Now is your chance talk with Chris and ask her anything - or just tune in to hear some great advice! Chris may be reached at (724) 344-1668, chris@postiinc.com or www.postiinc.com.

The Pittsburgh Coaches Association is proud to place the July spotlight on long time member, and board member, Susan Moore. An extraordinary person and highly qualified coach, Susan consistently brings her warmth and thoughtfulness to her clients and her interactions.

Susan has broad coaching experience and extensive credentials. As a Certified Professional Coach and Licensed Psychotherapist, she works with clients who are seeking to fulfill their potential and experience more genuine satisfaction in both their careers and personal lives. Her background and training as a professional coach, therapist, and manager with a large corporation have given her a solid grounding in the dynamics of personal and professional development, achievement, and meaningful change.

Susan's experience prior to founding Life Dimensions included 9 years in management with the American Psychological Association; founding and directing the Couples Center of Shadyside, where she worked with couples and individuals on relationship development, communication skills, and conflict resolution; and working at a women's counseling center, where she conducted workshops and provided therapy for issues such as career development, separation and divorce, anxiety or depression, and stress-management.

Susan achieved her certification as a professional coach at the Hudson Institute, a respected training organization accredited by the International Coach Federation. She holds a BA in Psychology and English from Rice University and a master's degree in clinical social work. She has also completed postgraduate training in positive psychology with Dr. Martin Seligman, author of Learned Optimism and Authentic Happiness, and is certified to administer assessments such as the Myers Briggs Type Indicator.

Susan's coaching clients have included individuals employed by PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Rand Corporation, FamilyLinks, Carnegie Mellon University, and leading Pittsburgh law firms, as well as self- employed individuals and those with smaller firms.

Susan specializes in life coaching, career coaching, and counseling and can be reached at 412.915.6526 or e-mailed at susan@life-dimensions.com. Visit Susan's website at www.life-dimensions.com

We invite experienced coaches, as well as those new to the profession, to join the Pittsburgh Coaches Association (PCA). This is an exciting time to be a member! We are a 501(c)6 professional organization, and an International Coach Federation (ICF) chapter.

Additional benefits for member coaches include networking opportunities with other professional coaches, a profile on PCA's 'Find a Coach' website directory, discounts for monthly luncheon meetings featuring interesting and relevant speakers, a forum to offer teleclasses on coaching-related topics of your choice, and special events to raise the profile of coaching within the community. There are many more benefits; please don't hesitate to become a part of one of Pittsburgh's best professional associations.

Effective July 1st, join for 2008 at the prorated fee of only $65!

We would love to hear from you! Just hit Reply to this newsletter with your ideas and feedback. Suggestions are very welcome, don't hesitate.