Youth Life Coaching & Organization Tutoring

Why does organization matter?

Having worked with teens and young adults for a number of years, I've found that one key piece to success, however defined, hasn't been taught consistently in school - managing time and organization. Even when students are academically gifted, I've seen them hit a brick wall when procrastination and natural talent isn't enough. Young folks have to learn to effectively organize their responsibilities, however many or few they are, in order to succeed. Often, it doesn't take a very complicated, perfectionist system - just a realistic system designed to match the needs and inclinations of the owner, whether an early teen, high school student, college student, or young adult. That's where I can come in.

My History

I've worked with young adults in a number of places: with college-bound juniors and seniors at the North Carolina School of Science and Math, with teens in a residential treatment center for anger management, and with middle school students in a small, nonprofit, tuition-free school for boys in Durham. For success in each place, having an organization system was a, if not the, key tool. As a younger person myself, I certainly struggled with time management, especially since I tend to commit myself to multiple projects simultaneously. After mentors of mine gave me some coaching on my own, I realized I needed to take seriously designing and implementing a practical system that matched my life... or I'd be sabotaging all the work I wanted to do. I didn't want to do that, so I threw myself into personal organization theory and practice full force a number of years ago.

My System

While no system's perfect, mine certainly works for me. I'm an avid user of the Getting Things Done system by David Allen, with a few tweaks here or there. And I certainly test my system hard, too: Now I'm performing well in grad school at UNC in Social Work, apprenticing under a close-up magician, teaching multiple martial arts classes at Duke, practicing martial arts for over 10 hours a week, hold a full time job at a high school, consulting at 3 different places, and have responsibilities in a number of community initiatives. Oh yeah, and have friends and family too! :-D. And I like to do these things relatively relaxed.. Back when I was in undergrad at Duke, I graduated with two majors (computer science B.S. and Philosophy B.A.) and a minor (religion: Buddhism), while heading up multiple campus organizations, and teaching martial arts. I enjoy a diverse and hopefully useful life... but wouldn't be able to do so without a simple and effective system to manage my appointments, tasks and projects. That system is GTD; feel free to take a look at a run-down of the basics of the GTD system by DavidCo coach Kelly Forrister.

Appropriate to you!

I use a combination of a used PDA (thank you, ebay!) and outlook... but have used hipster PDAs (clipped index cards) and other effective non-tech variations. The specific technology isn't that important - what's important is to develop a coherent system that both catches what used to fall or slide and that matches what you'll actually use. Paper and pen? Electronic? Regardless, it'll have to have some key components, and put the right to-dos at your fingertips at the right time - it's got to help you work, study and play as relaxed as possible. I've enough theory and practice to help you design a system for yourself and start using it successfully.

Also (and this makes a difference), I'm not a stodgy old fart or a theoritician. I'm approachable and realistic as a coach for young adult studnts, since I'm still connected to student realities while having significant work and community experience and perspective. I aim to hook young folks early on the usefulness of having a system they can rely on. When folks have a personal investment in a system, instead of just some "shoulds" and suggestions from others, it'll last.

Sounds great! How do I get started?

Well, for starters I have two time-tutoring options.

• 4 Meeting Fall Jump Start: Meet one hour weekly three consecutive week, then once a month later for a total of four meetings and four hours. This works well to prepare students for the fall and school time, then have a follow-up once or twice to discuss what's working and what's not in practice. Having a theoretically good system that doesn't work in practice isn't really a system; it's just a good idea. And good ideas that masquerade as effective, practical tools are dangerous things!
• Ongoing: For interested students I can consider meeting on a monthly or bimonthly basis as a regular support for their larger system. I recommend establishing a system first with the Jump Start package before committing to an ongoing relationship. And, of course, there are you can decide to stop at any time.

Decide on what works for you, then email me at to discuss details or to get my phone number for a one-on-one conversation about needs and services.

What is your tutoring/coaching rate?

Like my other consulting work, I charge based on a pay scale. I believe in the importance of upfrontness about rates as well as ability to pay; our culture has a great deal of secrecy and shame about money, and I'd like as much as possible to model clarity here for the benefit of the relationship.

Also like my consulting work, prices are negotiable, and I have done and will continue to donate my services as well in appropriate situations.

Contact Me

If this sounds useful for you or for your child or student, please for more details.