 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
 |
||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
- How were you introduced to James (e.g. referral?) I located James thru a web search... - Did you look for other coaches and, if so, why did you ultimately pick James? I spent one hour with three different coaches. I chose James as he made me the most comfortable, and I felt that since I had never had any type of counseling/coaching, the key ingredient was going to be an ability for me to feel I could speak freely, candidly. James was by far the easiest person to speak with. This was key. - How long did you work with James? One year. - Was your original reason for working with James primarily due to questions regarding career direction? I hope you don't mind me asking you this question as this is my primary reason for approaching James! Yes, but as I spent time with James, I realized that the "issues" I dealt with at work, were also apparent in my personal life, so really, it ended up being a combination of both business and personal. In hindsight, I don't think the two can be isolated. - Did your time with James result in positive changes for you? Very much so. I was able to see how I was perceived by my body language, words, and learnt much better habits. Also, was very good for self confidence. I could not think of any negative aspect dealing with James. It was one of the best things I have done for myself. - Dawn Smith
Vice President - Sales
LF BEAUTY, NYC - How were you introduced to James (e.g. referral?) I actually did a web search. I looked at several coaches, and I was impressed with James' work and interest area. - Did you look for other coaches and, if so, why did you ultimately pick James? I did look at other coaches. Since I was looking at starting my own consulting business, James had the most knowledge about that. I think he is someone who takes a whole life approach. My original idea was to go in needing career assistance, but I needed to work on other stuff as well. James definitely helped me identify those and gave me the tools I needed to work on those areas. - How long did you work with James? It was about 6 months. - Was your original reason for working with James primarily due to questions regarding career direction? I hope you don't mind me asking you this question as this is my primary reason for approaching James! Yes, I mostly had career questions. However, we did work on other things as well. But we definitely focused on career related issues. - Did your time with James result in positive changes for you? Yes, definitely. My original intent was to start my own business. I do some consulting now, but I think he helped me develop my career to something that I want and not what others want. In fact, I just got job offer last Friday for a really good position and in an area that I wanted. I don't think I would have gotten the offer without the tools James gave me. He helped me look at other areas of my life and identify themes that I needed to work on. The same things that were getting me stuck in my career were also related to other things in my life (relationships, decision making, etc.). I found James great to work with, and he does an excellent job of identifying the areas that need improvement. There is definitely no B.S. with James. He is direct and to the point. Or maybe I should say, he helped me become direct and to the point with my own career challenges. I do have an anecdote to demonstrate what James has done for me. When I was interviewing for the job offer I just received on Friday, several of my references told me that they mentioned that I was "very balanced" in their recommendation. Before I started working with James, I would not have called myself "balanced". Today, I would definitely say that. - Stephen Hubbard, PHD
NYU Professor
"James Knopf is brilliant at the coaching thing, plus he is empathetic and funny which was an immense help when he brought me through a career crisis and onto a new and unexpected path. I sought him out when I thought all I needed was some advice on how to handle a Difficult Personality at the office--just a matter of finding out what I was doing wrong and then refocusing or redirecting my efforts. And James did help me to tackle the problem head-on and try to find a workable solution. He listened as I explored the situation aloud and he asked the critical questions, most of which put the issue into new and fresh perspectives. At the same time--and this is the brilliant part--he had me examine what else was going on in my life that might be feeding into the problem at work, and gently but insistently he had me to ask myself what I really wanted for an outcome. In the end my decision was that I didn't want to work for a Difficult Personality--even with the coping strategies I had put together with James' help. What a surprise! What a relief!! It was so simple, but I don't think I could have easily gotten there on my own. I recommend James Knopf enthusiastically and without reservation." - Stephen Frost
Research Director, Conde Naste, NYC
"James Knopf understands what it takes to help us achieve greater success in both our workplace and our personal lives. His ability to motivate his clients to take charge is very impressive. We were very fortunate to work with James as I was making some critical changes in my business and personal life. James helped me shape a clearer focus on what I wanted to achieve and I am very grateful." - Austin Schuster
President, NYC Living Realty
"Working with James Knopf, as my Life Coach, was an eye opening empowering experience. I had the opportunity to honestly look at myself in an objective, forward action, mentality. I was given tools and procedures to better deal with myself and others. I learned to grow and James gave me the direction to effectively move forward. If you seriously want to better yourself, your life, and more effectively communicate with others, James Knopf can offer you're the opportunity. You work in a partnership and you do actually work. You take accountability/control of your life; James is your knowledgeable guide during the journey. Under his direction you are offered a safe environment to learn about "you" getting to know your goals and how to effectively reach those goals. You will learn how to rid yourself of needless clutter and live life with direct purpose. I am grateful for James Knopf and for the progress I achieved while working with him as my Life Coach. I got unstuck. You ask: Is warking with a Life Coach worth it? I say: Yes! Is working with James Knopf worth it? I definitely say: Yous! You bet it is.... Thank you James for helping me explore me and assisting while I directed my life in forward motion and now living life, not existing....." - Steve Fagan
Telecommunications Director, New York
"I moved to New York from Australia where I had a successful practice as a Psychotherapist. I quickly found myself completely overwhelmed and depressed. I had exhausted every avenue I knew of to establish myself professionally; I was unsuccessful and still stuck! I had no energy and little interest to pursue my social life or do even the little things I knew would make me happy. I found James to be tremendously compassionate yet confrontational enough to empower me to take action in my life. James helped me to discover exactly what it was I wanted and gave me all the support I needed to achieve my goals. James is fantastic and I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to recommend him to anyone!" - Michael Avedon
Psychotherapist, New York
"James Knopf has had a direct and substantive effect in the progress I have made in my personal, professional and creative life. I relocated to New York City to take a position that challenged me in all areas of my life. I was unfocused in my goals, unable to move forward with my performing career and too drained by the end of the day to build a social life. I came to Mr. Knopf with a clear need for help. Using a gentle, affirming and direct approach, James Knopf synthesized a plan of action for me, based on my real-life situations and challenges. The improvement in my work skills, career focus and even my social life can be attributed to the practical, savvy and useful tools he gave me to apply to all aspects of day-to-day living." - Dr. E. Davis Wortman
Church Choir and Musical Director
"Working as a freelancer with goals of entrepreneurship, I found that I lacked a mentor - someone involved in my life and work who can help me see clearly what it is I bring to the table and then challenge me to set clear goals. James was the right person at the right time. His caring attitude and consistent demeanor was a welcome break in my hectic schedule. Part therapist, part manager, James helped me direct my energies and overcome fears that I could never have done alone. Within a few sessions, I had a concise statement about what it is I was working toward that helped me transform my impact at networking and other social events and turned apprehension into opportunity." - Dean Sandler
Court TV, NYC
"James Knopf was incredibly helpful at giving me perspective and a swift kick in the rear exactly when I needed it. James worked with me through a tumultuous period and I came out the other side with a new path and new tools to accomplish my goals." - Sarah Sockit
Project Developer, Sockit Projects, NYC
"When I first met James I felt stuck and confined in my career of 28 years. I knew the time had come to make changes in my professional life and I did not have a clue as where to begin or what to consider as possible options. With the guidance of James, I was able to not only identify additional passions and interests which had been buried for years, however equally important, I was given the support and guidance to place myself in several new environments which eventually led to my current new career path. In the span of one year, the feeling of hopelessness has been replaced with the excitement and passion once again following a dream. Thank you James for helping me to find the direction and courage to make a change and the inspiration to follow a dream. My highest accolades." - Christopher Fink
Clothing Designer/MSW
"James' invaluable encouragement and guiding spirit helps you to achieve infinite results!" - Laurette Oldewurtel
Financial Advisor
"James Knopf has definitely gotten me unstuck and onto a new path! I was at a crossroads professionally and needed some fresh, innovative ideas and focus on how to make a career change- I just didn't know how to go about making that happen. From our very first session, James helped me to establish new values and to reaffirm old ones, to improve on my strengths and help me to realize new ones, and to clarify a new personal vision- a vision that included delegating responsibilities and asking for things in my life. With James' clarity and personal attention to my specific needs and goals, I have successfully found a balance between my career in show business and the thrill of starting my own company. I live and work with a newfound passion! Thanks to James, I've been able to pinpoint exactly what I wanted and to make it happen!" - William Constantino
Designer/Actor, New York City
"Working with James Knopf enabled me to expand my business as a personal trainer in a number of ways. Through several exercises and small tasks, James helped me learn how to ask for things in a way I never thought possible. This asking process led me to initiate meetings with people I never imagined I could ever work with; all in a relatively short period of time. In addition, his intuitive guidance helped me tap into and recapture other passions and priorities in my life that I had neglected over the years. Thank you James for helping me believe that anything is possible if your willing to put yourself on the line and just ask for it." - Ken Alverez, MA
Personal Trainer
"Making the decision to work with James made a tremendous difference in the direction my life has taken over the past 2 years. His insightful input and the feedback he provided me with allowed me to see my situation from a new perspective. He gave me a weekly structure where I could think about what I wanted and he motivated me to execute actions necessary to meet my goals. My favorite part was that we didn't focus on problems; James kept me focused on what could be done to build my business in a more positive capacity. I found myself acting rather than reacting to my life. James' style offered me a great structure for change to take place!" - Kenneth Maxwell Elchert
Massage Therapist / Actor, NYC
"In just a very short time, James Knopf helped me to really take a look at the different parts of my life that I avoided. He was key in helping me focus and prioritize. With his coaching and encouragement, I developed career goals. He helped me to make very positive changes in my personal life as well. Thanks James." - Roberta Ash
Personal Trainer / Mother, Long Island, NY
"I've always been a person with good ideas and lots of energy but, as I've recently learned, I needed guidance on how to focus my energies in just the right way, at the right time. Working closely with Jimmy Knopf over the past year has made a tremendous difference. I've written two plays, lots of music, and I'm now workings with a director/producer to, finally, change my dream into reality... Thank you, Jimmy!!" - William Neenan
Physical Therapist/Writer
"I met James Knopf at a time in my life when I needed direction in pursuing my acting career. From our very first coaching session his clarity and insight in what actions are necessary to facilitate the movement needed to achieve my goals made all the difference for me. He continues today to keep me focused and on track in accomplishing this end." - John Rengstorff
Bond Trader/Actor
"Coaching sessions with James Knopf have had a profound influence on my life. I was unable to focus and get my priorities straight. James' attentive listening and incisive questioning put me on the right track to finding what I wanted. I'm taking the necessary steps for success and happiness I never imagined possible. He is my cheerleader, my organizer and my coach! Thanks Jimmy!" - Jane Jacobs
Housewife, New York
|
 Copyright ©2009 James Knopf |