We were lucky to catch up with Corie Wightlin recently and have shared our conversation below.

Corie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

As a classroom teacher, it became clear very quickly that families with neurodiversity, including ADHD, autism spectrum disorder and anxiety, needed extra support in all the things that life requires. This included organization, emotional regulation, time management, prioritization and even motivation. I could refer them to therapists and tutoring programs but found that without figuring out what the particular family, whether it be child or parent or both, really needed and what really worked for them, nothing seemed to stick. Then, I became a parent of multiple neurodiverse kiddos myself. I was able to see first hand that the traditional timers, charts, and reward systems just weren’t the right fit for my kids and for what they needed to thrive in life. That is when I had a huge AHA. I realized that my own neurodiversity had also gotten in the way of me living my fullest and that all the tools, all the planners, all the apps, and all the traditional tricks had always left me feeling shame and frustration. I was able to notice that when everybody else seems to be doing all the life to-dos with such ease and it all is such a struggle for someone who doesn’t operate in a traditional way, it creates a failure feedback loop that starts to really define who we are and what we can do.

I knew there had to be a better way to support this underserved group and I felt like I was in a unique position to be a guide. I was already an educator and a certified mindfulness facilitator (both areas that helped me understand brain functions and brain diversity) as well as living with this struggle myself and as a parent, so I completed a program to become a certified life coach for executive functioning. I have now created an individualized coaching program that fills in all the gaps that I saw missing for so many years. This experience really taught me that I can have agency over solutions and instead of waiting for someone else to do what I know needs to be done, I can create it myself.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Challenges with time management, organization, and prioritization are exhausting and overwhelming. As a compassionate listener, I guide people in discovering why they struggle and empower them in curating individualized solutions to live a more present and happier life. I am an executive functioning life coach, educator, and mindfulness facilitator with over 20 years of experience working with youth, families and community organizations which allows me to bring a variety of knowledge and experience to this work.

Through our time together, my clients figure out what motivates them and makes them tick and work to establish a system of routines that honor those values. We create individualized systems and solutions for getting organized, finding motivation, prioritizing important tasks, self-kindness, and moving on a path towards their desired outcome from their current, challenging reality. 
 I am able to see first hand in my own family, and through work with my clients, that when someone is able to combine living in the present moment with a strong understanding of what motivates them, what is keeping them stuck, and what works specifically for them, that is when the MAGIC happens! There is no quick fix and definitely no no-size-fits-all program…and it is my pleasure to guide my clients in finding their path and their desired outcome. I work with clients in both 1 on 1 coaching sessions as well as offer group coaching experiences to support all needs and comfort levels.

I firmly believe that all people deserve dignity and respect. I show up for clients with an open heart, open mind and the intention of creating a safe space where all lived experiences are validated. I value working with the LQBTQIA+ community. I work to empower everyone to find the super powers that lie within and to show up in the world being our most authentic selves. I truly feel it is my privilege to be a gentle guide and partner in someone’s journey.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

As someone who had not been in business in the traditional sense, I knew that I needed to know more and get some help if I was going to be able to bring my coaching to the folks who would benefit from it. Being a coach myself, I decided to reach out and work with a business coach. I found a program where not only am I able to work with two phenomenal women business coaches, but I am in a cohort with about 10 other coaches on my same journey. I am able to connect, learn, celebrate and brainstorm with so many like-minded people everyday which allows me to stay on track, get amazing feedback, make some powerful connections and learn about being the best business person I can be. I started the program thinking I would get some tools for business and have learned that the true value are the connections and community that comes from going outside of yourself.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

When I started this work, I knew I needed to network but I very much misunderstood what that meant! I pictured handing out my card to as many people as possible and trying to “sell” to anyone who would listen. Boy was I mistaken! Through networking, I have connected with so many people in so many industries. I have listened to stories, met new friends, and made connections with folks I would have never crossed paths with before. I realized the joy of connecting other people, lifting up and celebrating other people’s successes and building a web of awesome people around me, regardless of whether someone becomes a client or not. I think this supports my reputation as I show up authentically, with the true desire to get to know others in a meaningful way. Now, so many of my clients come to me through word of mouth or from a real, genuine conversation we have had. So, I have learned networking means being yourself and supporting and cheering on others which will lead to positive reputation in the community.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.wightlincoachingservices.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wightlincoachingservices/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corie-wightlin-m-ed-calc-075789179/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcJHm7ZAmGk0N8bUhGda–A