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Associate at Boutique NYC Law Firm
During another afternoon wondering why I was so dissatisfied with my career, I idly typed “career coach” into an internet search. Scrolling through the options, I saw Astrid Baumgardner’s website, and clicked. Though I wasn’t initially serious about working with a career coach, as I learned about Astrid’s history and read her articles, my interest was piqued. As a litigation associate at a large NYC law firm and an amateur pianist and lover of the arts, I was drawn to the breadth and depth of Astrid’s interests and background and felt that she might be able to help me gain some wisdom about my career from the vantage point of many more years of experience. Within minutes I had called and we had scheduled our first coaching appointment.
The results of our weekly sessions surpassed all expectations. In concrete terms, within five months I obtained a new job that permits me to continue being a lawyer – a career path that I was on the verge of quitting despite years of education and hard work – while honoring my values, interests, and creativity and making a good living: a combination I never thought possible as an attorney in private practice in NYC. Astrid’s probing questions and value-oriented exercises played a significant role in giving me the focus and courage to identify and pursue my new legal career.
But perhaps more significant are the less visible, more internal results. By emphasizing values, strengths, core emotions, and interests, rather than diving headfirst into a job search, Astrid helped me to recognize the aspects of my job and career trajectory that did not align with my authentic self and were responsible for my dissatisfaction. We not only talked about ways to make my job more inspiring in the near term, but also explored alternative career choices, both in and out of the law. Throughout, Astrid’s genuineness and empathy made me feel at ease, while she also challenged me to use my creativity to prioritize my desires in career and life.
I have found the coaching process with Astrid to be fundamentally a positive, proactive, productive, creative, learning process. She has a singular ability to listen, digest the content and emotions of what I’ve said, and then not only reflect it back in a productive manner but also build on it by asking a number of insightful questions. She is always warm, friendly, and professional, and her weekly exercises often provided a useful starting point for our conversations. I highly recommend the career coaching process with Astrid not only to those who seek to change their career or job, as I did, but also to people who simply want to learn to better harness and employ their creative energies at their current job.
—Anna L., New York, NY
Pianist and Music Entrepreneur
Just at the moment I discovered that the field of life coaching existed a friend of mine referred me to Astrid and I was very happy to be among her first clients. Similarly the coaching sessions themselves have opened me to lot of synchronicity in my life. So often I have entered sessions with Astrid feeling overwhelmed and conflicted, and so often I come out of a session feeling aligned and empowered. It's wonderful how she can slice through so much of my confusion and assist in creating a sense of clarity. Astrid has boundless positive energy and at the same time is an acute listener. Though I feel I have a ways to go, I am quite aware that since I have been coaching with Astrid, I have maintained more consistent focus and spent more time doing the things I love than before. I have recommended her to friends and will continue to do so.
— KG, New York, NY
Coaching FAQs
What is coaching?
Why does coaching work so well?
How is a Coach different from a Therapist, a Mentor, and a Consultant?
What is a Career Coach and how does she differ from a Career Counselor and a Headhunter?
How long does a client work with a coach?
Who benefits from Group Coaching?
Sounds great! What do I do now?
What is Coaching?
A powerful partnership that You the client—an expert in your life—and I the coach—an expert in the coaching process— designed to help you attain your personal success. Coaching (1)clarifies goals that are based on what you love, what you are good at and what is important to you, (2)unmasks internal and external obstacles to success and (3)empowers you to take actions each week to achieve your goals.
Why does coaching work so well?
As your coach, I am your champion and partner in achieving your goals. You have my ongoing support in helping you reach your potential.Coaching gets to heart of a matter so you see results very quickly.Coaching plugs you into your positive strengths so that you can achieve extraordinary results naturally and learn to work smarter, not harder.Coaching is individualized and the coaching program is tailored to You. Coaching is non-judgmental and supportive.A professional who partners with you to take you from where you are to where you want to be by
- examining your current challenges,
- helping you to set meaningful goals,
- removing external and internal blocks to your success,
- motivating you to take actions towards achieving your goals and
- holding you accountable.
A Life Coach works with you to achieve success on issues involving your career, relationships, health and wellness, finances and any other area that you consider important to your well-being.
How is a Coach different from a Therapist, a Mentor, and a Consultant?
Therapist: A therapist helps a patient heal from deep emotional and psychological wounds and is focused on the past; a thereapist tends to ask why things happened. A coach focuses on the present; the past is a teaching tool relating to a client’s current challenges and future goals. The coaching process is action-oriented and asks the client how, rather than why, so the client is motivated to set goals and take actions for the present and future.
Mentor: A mentor provides advice based on his or her personal experience as the model for success whereas a coach never gives advice; rather, a coach honors each individual’s journey and empowers the client to look for his or her own answer
Consultant: A consultant is an expert in a particular field who is hired to fix problems and provide answers; a consultant is typically not involved in implementing the change. A coach does not “fix” or give advice; rather, she assists the client in finding his own answers from within. A coach is also there to support growth and change.
What is a Career Coach and how does she differ from a Career Counselor and a Headhunter?
Career Counselor: A career counselor generally provides advice on how to find a new job. The assistance is focused on and limited to the client’s career and tends to be short-term.
Headhunter: A headhunter generally places candidates with prospective employers. A career coach may refer a client to a headhunter but the coach’s role is not to find a job for his client.
Career Coach: A career coach has a broader role. She guides her client through the various aspects of the client’s career including
- work/life balance,
- maximizing performance on the client’s job,
- enhancing and developing job skills,
- transitioning to a different career, preparing for networking and interviewing and supporting the transition to a new career.
In addition to career planning, a career coach helps with all aspects of a client’s life, including personal and professional success, financial independence and interpersonal relationships.
How long does a client work with a coach?
I generally recommend a minimum of 3 months, in order to experience the benefits of coaching. It usually takes 6 weeks to create a new habit and another 6 weeks to master that habit. Many clients find that they enjoy the weekly accountability of coaching and on-going support as we collaborate to create the life that you are looking for.
- I assist you in identifying your goals, your core values, your strengths, your talents, your passions and your attitudes.
- We work together to design a plan to help you achieve your goals.
- We engage in a process of self-discovery so that you are working towards the goals that are meaningful for you.
- I help you identify and overcome obstacles that hold you back from achieving your goals.
- We break down your goals into manageable strategies and tactics so that you are taking actions every week towards your goals.
- I am there to hold you accountable each week as you move towards your desired goals
Click here to find out more about my one-on-one coaching services.
Group coaching is a regularly scheduled series of sessions with a group of like-minded people. My role is to ask questions, facilitate the discussion and provide on-the-spot coaching to group members. The group members contribute their perspective and insights and receive the benefits of multiple points of view.
Who benefits from Group Coaching?
Group coaching is great for people who want the support of a group and enjoy brainstorming with like-minded individuals. It is also less expensive than individual coaching while still providing the benefit of working with a professional coach. Individual coaching is appropriate for people who want the undivided attention of the coach and/or who are uncomfortable sharing in a group setting.
Sounds great! What do I do now?
Call me at 917.747.5625 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to schedule a complimentary telephone session and explore how coaching can help you. You can also join my mailing list to receive periodic updates and tips on how to achieve authentic success.