http://www.maishimizucoaching.com/

Mai Shimizu Coaching, St. Louis, MO (2026)

09/10/2021

Now I’m learning about coaching teams and relationships. I am reading that some studies showed that 69% of relationship issues cannot be solved, but can be managed. “Managing” can sound exhausting, so what I found valuable is to remember that “behind every complaint, there is a request or a disappointed dream” (Gottman). So, how about finding out what that request is, so we can move on to the dream/vision/common purpose that got us together?

07/27/2021

This week, I would like to share some great quotes from my clients. I am so proud of their work and how they are becoming more ware about how they view life:

“Es mejor ser valiente, sino no conoces lo bueno” - "It's best to be courageous, otherwise you never get to know what's good"

"La valentía te abre puertas, sin ella no hay innovación ni cambio" - "Without courage doors don't open, there is no innovation and change"

“El amor es lo que te hace seguir, a darlo todo” - “Love is what makes you keep going, give it all”

“I should use and connect with my heart instead of my head” - “Debería conectar y usar mi corazón más que mi cabeza”

“Fluye, confía en ti misma, te puedes equivocar, todos hemos empezado alguna vez” - “Flow, trust myself, you can make mistakes, everyone started at some point”

“Si no lo intento, no lo voy a saber, se avanza experimentando” - “If I don’t try, I won’t know, you grow experimenting”

07/20/2021

Looking for career options and feel stuck?

I have seen and experienced myself, a moment where you are not sure what our next career step should be. What is my passion? Where could I fit and be happy? Who would need someone like me? Can I do something different from what I do now?

There are different exercises that help you start figuring out options, values, and interests by yourself with a coach. But one fun way could be to organize a focus group about product “YOU.” Ask people that know you and care for you. A mix of former colleagues, friends, and relatives.

I have written in my blog about the distinction between internal and external self-awareness. Internal is what we know about themselves and external is what WE know about what OTHERS know about ourselves. Well, I suggest that it may be a good idea to ask others, what THEY think we could be doing as career options.

The process can look like this:
1️⃣ Gather 5-6 people personally or in a zoom call
2️⃣ Ask one of them to be the moderator, making sure everyone participates, asks some coaching questions to energize the discussion and go deeper into each idea.
3️⃣ Start by telling them the objective of the meeting: “Brainstorming career ideas for ME with not limits”
4️⃣ Tell them what little or much you know about yourself: interests, values, what you think you do well, what takes your energy down, what impact you want to create.
5️⃣ You are the note taker and do NOT participate at all (camera off, and sit outside the circle so people do not see your reactions)
6️⃣ Write everything down (or record it), thank everyone and then take time to reflect by yourself. Some crazy ideas may inspire realistic ones.

07/13/2021

Product YOU (Part 1)

Have you ever thought of yourself as a "product" while looking for a new job or promotion? For many, "selling ourselves" is a behavior we consider uncomfortable, but when you are seeking to stand out from the crowd, we do need to analyze our attributes and value proposition.

How about a SWOT analysis? When we are targeting a job opportunity or promotion, we might want to identify our strengths and weaknesses (development areas) as a candidate, and also, what could be the opportunities and threats or “risks” for our employer. The more we understand our “position” as a product, the better we can make our case.

Clarify how our strengths fit with the job expectations, how our weaknesses can be managed or learned, how we could bring a positive future vision to the role (opportunities), and also discuss the risks, and try to minimize them with an honest conversation and willingness to succeed.

06/29/2021

I stopped by NYC for a couple of days on our way to our home in Barcelona. It had been 15 years since I last visited the city where I spent a college summer working in the late 90s. One of the sites that impressed me the most was Highline Park. This is a park and walking trail built on what used to be an old rail line elevated on the streets of Manhattan.

The old rail line was meant to be demolished, but a group of visionaries turned something “ugly” into something that has uplifted the area, inspired the renovation of old buildings around it and now turned into a must see by millions of tourists.

This is a perfect example of how a problem can bring an opportunity. Of how we can turn something ugly into something beautiful if we let our imagination fly. It's about growth mindset and positive vision. When we lose a job, have a toxic co-worker, conflictive team, or feel stuck, why not find the opportunity? The silver lining?

As a coach, I ask the question: “What is great about this problem?” there is always an answer, even if it’s a tiny little thing...

06/22/2021

👩‍🏫

06/15/2021

It is clear to everyone that Linkedin is the primary database for those who seek jobs, clients, and partnerships. Understanding what is important in your profile is crucial in creating an account that can appear in recruiter's search 🔍

Here is an blog article I wrote way back about creating your Linkedin profile. I hope you enjoy it, and please add any additional ideas in the comments 👇

https://www.maishimizucoaching.com/post/linkedin-profile-tips

06/08/2021

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𝐀𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 researchers 🧠 have demonstrated, self-awareness, our ability to know ourselves is the key to reaching our well-being. Knowing ourselves well, does not only mean to identify our flaws or weaknesses, but also our strengths and what we really want out of life and our careers.

The more we know what triggers us positively and negatively, the better we can choose how to react in a way that serves our wellbeing and our relationship with others 🫂 Identifying limiting beliefs, fears, and important values, help us decide whether we want to change that mindset and take action to live a life aligned to our values.

Coaching is about identifying what is inside of us 💛, what our body and mind tells us, to then choose the kind of life we want to live. Dr. Dan Siegel, the author of “Mindsight” and neuroscience researcher, share how he has helped patients overcome strong traumatic incidents and childhoods by supporting them in the exploration of their past stories, in a way that individuals gain clarity and awareness of what goes on in their minds that triggers certain emotions and behaviors.

By having “mindsight”, being able to see our minds, we can take a step towards a desired direction with courage 💪🏼, practice and focus. Some of the neuroscience tools I use are based on Dr. Siegel’s work and his idea that all parts of our brain have to be integrated for us to be able to become effective and have a greater “mindsight”, giving us the ability to take better decisions in our life and work. If you want to learn more… send a message!

If you wish to learn more about Dr. Siegel’s work, here is his site ⬇️
https://www.mindsightinstitute.com/

06/01/2021

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In many of my coaching conversations and coach training, the practice of mindfulness, meditation 🧘‍♀️ yoga, or any exercise or tool that helps us focus, is a common topic. So much research is being performed regarding its effects on our brains and well-being.

I recently wrote a blogpost to share some ideas on this topic (check it out on the link below ⬇), because I am finding it almost crucial to incorporate it into our lives. Whether job searching, work, or life is becoming overwhelming, or we feel that life is becoming out of our control, we must not forget to stop for a minute, or two, and breathe.

Our brains do not have the capacity to take the best decisions or speak with clarity if we are under the effects of stress, fear, or other emotions 🙇‍♀️ The only way to stop them, and focus, is through mindfulness exercises that help us take that next step towards the right direction.

https://www.maishimizucoaching.com/post/what-i-learned-about-mindfulness-and-its-power-against-stress-brain-chaos-and-fear

05/25/2021

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𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 session today, I kept thinking about how sometimes our Left part of the brain (the one that helps us plan, focus, and structure) takes us to a place of such "𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐲" that we build imaginary walls around us. Walls that protect us from getting hurt, from failing, from embarrassment, or even be loved and helped- if we protect ourselves we can focus on our goals 🎯

Boundaries can keep us safe, but they keep us from having visibility of what else is out there. New possibilities to learn, to innovate, to grow 🌱 So why not build imaginary doors instead? When we have a conflict with someone, instead of shutting down on our ideas, let's invite them in and truly listen, find that 10% of the argument that we can agree on.

When we are afraid of taking action because we doubt ourselves, why not focus on the greater impact and learning opportunities? 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚 𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫 🚪 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐥?

05/18/2021

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𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 kids could become a mindfulness practice if we focus our full attention on what you are creating or playing with. While creating bubbles, focus on the colours 🎨 shades, texture, how they fly, the sounds around you, being fully present.

The same with other games, just disconnecting from your thoughts and be fully aware of what is in front of you ☺️

05/11/2021

🚶‍♀️

Mai Shimizu Coaching

09/10/2021

07/27/2021

07/20/2021

07/13/2021

06/29/2021

06/22/2021

06/15/2021

06/08/2021

06/01/2021

05/25/2021

05/18/2021

05/11/2021

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