Donna Karlin, Executive Shadow
Coach
Location:
The OTHER capital - Ottawa, Canada
A bit about me
In my work-related life, though it was also a way
of life, I started off as a professional musician.... percussionist...... in a
world class orchestra. Life circumstances guided me in this direction and now
I’m an Executive Shadow Coach. For me work is play and I love seeing my clients
soar! How much better can it get than helping others achieve their lifelong
dreams?
Somewhere in the middle of musician --- coach, I decided I had to do something for my creative side while learning how to care for my son post-operatively, and coaching long term care patients, so I apprenticed as a chef. Took me longer than if I did it full time, but in a way that was perfect....for I had plenty of time to practice and create in my new craft between working with temperamental/perfectionist chefs. From conductor to chef (to pastry chef)....literally like jumping from the frying pan into the fire (or is it the other way around? : ) And somehow (still not sure how that happened) I was talked into writing a food column. Did that for about 15 years. Did I mention I went back to school in the meantime? And coached long term care patients.
I’m told many musicians love to create in the kitchen as well. I can understand why. There’s definitely a link between the two.
Finally I decided it was time to hang up the chef's hat and concentrate full time on my present craft. That's not to say I don't still love creating new and wonderful concoctions in the kitchen (a passion that seems to be rubbing off on my son now that he's been away at school). The "extra time" if you can call it that is spent on writing, and teaching and enjoying life.
In 1999 after being with Steppingstones Partnership, I began my own company "A Better Perspective™" and I haven’t looked back since.
And if you'd like to know more about what I do....go to my home page. This is about who I am.
Passions:
Music.....pretty much all styles. Benjamin Britten said “It is cruel, you
know, that music should be so beautiful. It has the beauty of loneliness and of
pain: of strength and freedom. The beauty of disappointment and never-satisfied
love. The cruel beauty of nature, and everlasting beauty of monotony”.
I used music in much of my work because it touches the hearts of those I work with
much faster and deeper than any words could. And for me.....it’s a part of who I
am, not just what I like. There is music in everything I see, do, experience. It
springs from the heart with no rhyme or reason, but seems to recall everything
special in my life....or, at the very least, create it.
Painting...not houses.....canvases.....well, and perhaps murals on walls
and floors....and whatever else strikes me at the time
Books.....everything and anything...fiction and non....how to’s,
biographies....comedy, historical, you name it.
The Kitchen - cooking up a storm...trying new combinations of flavour
and colour....creating whimsical concoctions out of chocolate, from gift ribbons
to masks (another tidbit about me...I’m allergic to chocolate but never have a
problem finding taste testers). And I’m learning to write things down so if I
like them I can make them again. That was my son’s pet peeve. (I’m getting
better Michael!)
My son, Michael....he never ceases to amaze me.
Special people in my life.....they complete me...keep me on my toes and
make sure I never settle
and Golden Retrievers (how can you not love dogs that smile back at you?)
Medical professionals whose egos are much greater than their expertise and don’t
"make time" for their patients.
People who are "bored"
Chronic complainers....those who love to complain but never want to do anything
about it.
Administrivia
People who stop at the foot of a moving escalator to talk
E-Mail me at A Better Perspective ™
Go to Donna Karlin's web site
Back to Perspectives