Local life coach, author wants people to operate from 'power zone'

SANDY — Tired of feeling stuck? Of having no confidence? Of feeling trapped in a dreary work or life situation that seems like it will never change?

Rene Johnson of Sandy wants you to feel joyful, excited, balanced and peaceful. In other words, she wants you to find your inner voice and enter your own "power zone" where you can achieve personal and professional goals, dispel self-doubts and enjoy greater satisfaction in life.

Johnson, a certified life empowerment coach for nearly seven years, is the author of "Leaving Your Comfort Zone: How to Lead Your Life From the Power Zone!" The "power zone" she refers to is the place where an individual feels creative and passionate, where things come easily and where someone enjoys a natural ability to use his or her talents.

Since there are plenty of self-help books — not to mention lots of well-meaning friends and relatives ready to hand out advice at a moment's notice — why hire a life coach?

"We don't hesitate in other areas of our life to reach out and get expert advice or expertise — whether it's buying a dishwasher or a car," Johnson said. "But for ourselves, we have a tendency to kind of resist. We end up struggling more, and we miss out on having support."

A properly trained life coach can ask the right questions and help an individual "make the powerful choices to have the courage to grow."

Johnson said her clients generally know what they don't want to do in life or work, but they are uncertain about what they do want to do and how to get there. She said she assists people in either short-term or longer-term coaching efforts.

Johnson first offers a consultation to see if she and a client are a good fit. They talk about what the person's goals are, and then the coaching starts. The client does different exercises, and Johnson sometimes will refer people to other resources, such as additional education. She prides herself on holding clients accountable for taking the steps needed to reach their goals — "not in a belittling way, but in a way that makes them excited about doing it."

"I'm a partner in their journey to success," she said. "I don't do it for them."

A key factor in this is building confidence and noting progress along the way to encourage a client to move forward.

Johnson also emphasizes "self-care" for women, who tend to put everyone else first.