Ep. 18: “How to Find Depth, Joy, and Purpose in Your Life” with Susan Riggs
“Fundamentally, everybody wants their soul back.”
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Intro and Mission
Meet Susan Riggs, my close friend and a certified integral coach.
Susan’s evolving career is a good example of how we can grow and change. After starting in civil engineering, Susan moved into finance, accounting, and then operations, first as the CFO at Columbia Road Health Services in Washington, DC—where I also worked and later— as its director. She and I have been prayer partners for more than ten years.
Early in her career, Susan recognized the joy she felt in helping folks work together as a team. She put this talent into good use in the clinic by developing and leading work retreats for interpersonal development of staff. These retreats built better relationships, which made work more pleasant. Susan added:
“Our site had the lowest turnover, longest tenure, and some of the
best administrative, clinical, and financial outcomes.”
What does a Certified Integral Coach Do and Do I Need One?
In her practice, Susan:
Promotes vertical growth and spiritual development—going deep to better understand yourself and your problems.
Starts with a 60-90 minute intake with questions about health, relationships, history, work, beliefs, relationship with nature, money…
Treats “each person as a sacred mystery” as she tries to see the full picture and identify a deeper area where growth is needed.
Recognizes that the presenting issue may not be the real problem. An example is a hardworking and determined young man frustrated at lack of career advancement; with guidance, he matured, became less pushy and defensive, and better able to accept feedback—and had success at work.
Susan deeply believes we all desire to grow and that “Fundamentally, everybody wants their soul back.”
Common problem areas that Susan sees are:
Difficulties with communication and boundaries
Losing touch with our bodies and emotions
“If we get in touch with our bodies, we get in touch with our emotions.”
Is there a way to avoid needing a therapist or coach?
I asked Susan if there is a way to avoid needing a therapist or a coach!! She said: “Human beings need human beings.” “We always need coaching…but the most important thing we can do is to have a community of trusted people in our life.”
Next Steps You Can Take
Check out Susan’s website at https://riggsintegralcoaching.org —includes her bookshelf list of references.
Two books she highly recommends are Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman and The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership by Chapman, Dethmer, and Klemp.
Visit the Conscious Leadership Group’s website, http://conscious.is/
A Special Offer From Susan Riggs!
Consider signing up for coaching at susan@riggsintegralcoaching.org with this special offer for a one-time session for 90 minutes at a “pay what you wish” rate, a great opportunity to explore coaching without making a commitment.
It is my pleasure to strongly recommend Susan to you for coaching. She is wise, sensitive, and gentle, and I’m confident you will benefit.
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About Susan Riggs
Susan has a wealth of experience working with community health centers and other not-for-profit organizations. She is the founder of Riggs Integral Coaching for Team, Individual, and Leadership Coaching. Her coaching credentials include being a Certified Integral Coach through New Ventures West, an Associate Certified Coach through the International Coaching Federation, a Certified Myers-Briggs trainer, and experience with Enneagrams.
To connect with Susan, visit her website https://riggsintegralcoaching.org/ or you can email her.
About Donna
Dr. Donna Chacko promotes health of body, mind, and spirit through her website (serenityandhealth.com), her blog, and programs at her church. She is the author of the award-winning book and Amazon best-seller Pilgrimage: A Doctor’s Healing Journey (Luminare Press, 2021).
Donna previously practiced medicine for forty years, first as a radiation oncologist and later, after re-training, as a family medicine doctor. What she learned taking care of immigrants and the homeless in Washington, D.C., continues to influence her programs. A central theme is that health of body, mind, and spirit is interrelated and connected to God, all as a package deal. Donna is a wife, mother, and grandmother and lives in University Park, Maryland.
Questions? Reach out to Donna Chacko.
To change the world, you must first change yourself. Read on to help you embrace and live this counterintuitive message.