working to be (not do) better with Cynthia Jefferson

Cynthia Jefferson is the kind of person who sets the bar for her own growth and exploration and then sets about reaching it – only to reset the bar even higher. This is her way of working to *be* better – the doing will take care of itself from there. These days, she’s all up in learning about caregiving as her parents age and her mom experiences Alzheimer’s. In this context, she’s practicing taking the advice she’s given to so many of her clients and leaning into community. Find show notes at https://rawzcoaching.com/cynthia-jefferson***About Cynthia Jefferson | coach, mom, daughter, learner, jewelry-maker, be-erIn her own words: I received my BA in psychology from Syracuse University and my MA in Speech and Interpersonal Communications from NYU. I have done everything from social work to bartending, so will always refer back to my other lives, lol. But I feel I've finally found my place with coaching, which I have been doing for the last 3 years. I have also enjoyed my side hustle of making handcrafted jewelry for over 10 years now. Great creative outlet! Please find me at: https://iwell4life.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-jefferson-4a688010https://2bsavvy.comhttps://www.instagram.com/coachcynthia4life/https://www.facebook.com/CJsStoneLuv/Cynthia highlighted The Boys and Girls Club of America as an organization that she loves; their mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Learn more at https://www.bgca.org*** All Up in It is a project by coach SB Rawz focused on telling stories of growth and change from the thick of learning. Learn more about SB, coaching with her, & her projects at https://rawzcoaching.com***Some Key Moments of our ConversationAs a human: Cynthia is someone who constantly tries to be better (as opposed to do better)Also: A mother, a person who is trying to model for her children, learning junkie (which she sees as a good and bad thing), a person who needs to set the bars for herselfWe explored tension in growth – both the interpersonal tension and Cynthia’s delightful surprise at hearing some folks (like me!) can sometimes find an internal tension related to self-acceptanceHer fantastic distinction between self-judgment and self-punishmentThe relationships that taught her that self-awareness is great – but only if a person is willing to use their self-awarenessCynthia is all up in:A relationship coaching certificationCaregiving as her mom experiences Alzheimer’s, her dad works to care for her mom, and she explores supporting them both from a distanceListening to You are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero and also loved Atlas of the Heart by Brené BrownWhat’s been surprising her about what she’s all up in is how complicated and out-of-the-blue caregiving can be with all of the complexity of our available systems and the profound need for assertive advocacy within the systemsThe primary tool that Cynthia has been utilizing has been practicing leaning into community when it’s not a historic go-to for her as a very independent person who is unaccustomed to asking for helpCynthia chose to spotlight The Boys and Girls Club of America, an organization whose mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Learn more at https://www.bgca.orgShe noted how mentoring young people is such a growth experience for her, much as coaching is often as enriching for the coach as the client