Student Reviews

Darlene helped me to identify areas of my creative practice that were holding me back, ones that were keeping me in a state of inaction. First, she helped me locate my inner critic, and then what it was saying to me. Things like “you’re not young or cool enough,” or “your art is silly and frivolous; it’s not necessary.” I asked myself also “why am I afraid of success?” I realized that my inner voice was putting me down and that I needed to replace the negativity with different words. Words like “there are many people who would appreciate what I do, despite my age and perceived ‘coolness.’” Also she helped me realize that my art is a necessary and valuable part of who I am and what I do in life. Life would be dull and grey without that creative spark. My art and sharing it with others isn’t a frivolous pursuit – it’s a necessary part of who I am and my overall purpose. It can be thought provoking and deeply meaningful to myself and others. I was given practical strategies to overcome my perfectionistic tendencies, which had me stuck in a perpetual loop of procrastination because I wasn’t yet “good enough.” Things don’t always have to be perfect to be shared. Sometimes, the most popular or appreciated work is that which is genuine and authentic, despite not being perfectly polished. Taking things one day and one moment at a time, making a plan, being gentle with oneself and not stressing about the result were some of the most valuable things I learned. Darlene helped me get out of a rut and to start moving forward.

“I had a hundred ideas floating around in my head regarding my small home-based business. Darlene very effectively helped me gather them all together, refine them and get me on the right track. She gave me direction as to websites, social media and goal setting. I highly recommend her coaching skills and her creativity in helping her clients see the bigger picture.”

The Believe & Achieve course has forced me to “just get started”. I like the fact that I can do the course at my own pace, on my own time. The intro to the modules/lessons were personal. The content that spoke the most to me was the one about SMART goal setting. It’s simple but profound. The point you made about how goals are 40% more likely to be accomplished if they are written down has been truth for me since I started this course. I also have taken away the piece about “I have more time than I think” and say this back to my negative belief about “having no time”. Often the hard part has been getting started but as soon as I do, I can keep momentum going and get more accomplished than I thought.

I had a wish and a goal I had dreamed about for a few years, but having Darlene urge me on and think it could be possible was the encouragement I needed to move forward and start putting some pieces in place. I am pleased to say I did reach my goal. You always feel she is really interested in you and your goals. 

At the beginning of 2019, Darlene posted some super helpful blog articles around setting goals and working to achieve those goals for the year. She inspired me with her “Dream Big” plan for 2019 and it was the push I needed to name my goals and develop a plan of how I was going to get there. Going through her worksheets helped me to see clearly where I wanted to go, all of the small steps I needed to accomplish and also to identify some of the roadblocks in my mind that might try to keep me from achieving my goals.

Darlene’s consistent posts and check ups kept me moving in the right direction. Her bravery in sharing her Dream Big goals helped me to be brave and share my goals as well. I found the very act of telling someone else what I wanted to achieve made me work harder to get there. It was a form of accountability for me.

I have seen Darlene model the information that she teaches. I see her pursuing her goal with dedication, persistence and hard work. She is honest about the process and relentlessly encouraging.