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Living Service: The Journey of a Prosperous Coach Paperback – Illustrated, September 4, 2019


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Living Service: The Journey of a Prosperous Coach tells the story of Melissa Ford’s rise from struggling coach to thriving professional. Raw, honest and full of humor, Living Service details Melissa’s insecurities and stumbles along the way, as well as the powerful insights and actions that transformed her practice—and her life.

Do you struggle to find clients? To know what to charge? To lead as a strong, compassionate professional? To truly serve? Living Service offers priceless wisdom and practical tools to help you address these and other essential questions along the coaching path to prosperity. Wherever you are on your journey, you’ll find that Living Service is the perfect traveling companion.

"The journey shared here is as honest and real as it gets. Living Service is for coaches who want better business results, deeper friendships, more genuine and loving family relationships, and an all-around great life. Melissa’s heartfelt stories in Living Serviceare beautifully illustrated with humor, candor and light-heartedness."

~ Sherry Welsh, leadership coach and author of Slowing Down: Unexpected Ways to Thrive as a Female Leader

"As a coach, you cannot take your clients where you have never been yourself. Melissa offers a brutally honest and vulnerable account of her own journey of struggle, failure, success, failure, and ultimate success—not as arriving, but as an ongoing journey. This book offers great lessons for any coach who wants to serve clients in the most powerful way."

~ Ron Wilder, creator of CEO Jiu-Jitsu and author of Aligned Action: The Key to CEO

"Melissa Ford’s insightful journey on her path to prosperous coaching is a MUST READ for everyone in the world of coaching!"

~ Steve Chandler, Author of Time Warrior:How to defeat procrastination, people-pleasing, self-doubt, over-commitment, broken promises and chaos

"Melissa Ford is a brilliant coach, and in Living Service she takes us through her personal experiences with humor and clarity so we can learn from her wisdom firsthand. I am a better, more relaxed, and compassionate coach because of this book. One of the best books I’ve ever read on coaching."

~ Tina Quinn, Life Leadership Consultant, coach, speaker and author of Invisible Things: The Most Important Things in Life Are the Ones You Can’t See

"Melissa is a teacher, a compassionate guide, and someone who will always stand behind you and champion you. This book is a doorway to transforming your life and the lives of those you serve."

~ Gary L Mahler, Mahler International Coaching Inc. Life, Business, Relationships, Leadership

"A raw, honest look at what it takes to go from beginner to master. Melissa reminds us that coaching and service are not about systems, strategies and schemes. They are about being human and discovering a deeper connection with yourself, others and the world."

~ William Giruzzi, coach and author of A Life Worth Living

"Service—true service—is the key to a prosperous coaching practice. However, while this word is often used in the world of coaching, it is rare to find a coach who truly understands what it means to live as service. In her wonderful new book, Mellissa Ford shows us just how to do this, and how to build a full practice from this place."

~ David Schwendiman, coach, King of the Unicorns and author of Selling from the Top of the Ladder: The Ultimate Sales Playbook




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Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for: Living Service: The Journey of a Prosperous Coach

If you're looking for a quick-fix, seven-step formula or tactics to get clients for your coaching practice, you won't find it here. What you will find, however, is much more valuable--the insight that "service isn't an external strategy; it's an internal stance." As a coach, you cannot take your clients where you have never been yourself. Melissa offers a brutally honest and vulnerable account of her own journey of struggle, failure, success, failure, and ultimate success--not as arriving, but as an ongoing journey. This book offers great lessons for any coach who wants to serve clients in the most powerful way.

Ron Wilder, creator of CEO Jiu-Jitsu and author of Clear Your Hidden Profit Blocker(s): How to Own Your Next Level of Performance So There's No Looking Back, Aligned Action: The Key to CEO Effectiveness and The 100 Watt War

Melissa Ford's insightful journey on her path to prosperous coaching is a MUST READ for everyone in the world of coaching!

Steve Chandler, Author of Time Warrior: How to defeat procrastination, people-pleasing, self-doubt, over-commitment, broken promises and chaos

About the Author

Melissa Ford is a master business and life coach with over twenty years of experience working with individuals and groups. Her clients include fast-rising coaches, entrepreneurs, executives and career changers. She offers ongoing programs to coaches to help them strengthen their business mindsets, deepen their service and increase their profitability. She is a contributing author to When All Boats Rise: 12 Coaches on Service as the Heart of a Thriving Practice. Visit Melissa at: www.melissafordcoaching.com

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Maurice Bassett; Illustrated edition (September 4, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 226 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1600250769
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1600250767
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.51 x 7 inches
  • Customer Reviews:

About the author

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Melissa Ford
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I work with a variety of clients from fast-rising coaches, entrepreneurs, executives and career-changers helping them wake up to and engage with their creative power to consciously design the lives they desire.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
129 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the themes inspiring and helpful. They appreciate the humor, honesty, and unglossed narration. Readers describe the book as an easy read and profound.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

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12 customers mention "Themes"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the themes in the book inspiring, relatable, and helpful for coaches. They also say it's one of the best coaching books they've read, and a must for coaches who are ready. Customers also mention that the book is warm-hearted and practical.

"...With short and snappy chapters, Living Service is rich in content, and Melissa doesn’t hold back on letting us know how often she messed up, and the..." Read more

"...So fabulously helpful! You get the nitty-gritty of what works and what doesnt when it comes to being a truly heart-centered prosperous coach...." Read more

"One of the best books I have ever read on Coaching! Very inspiring content! Really appreciate the personal experiences of Melissa’s story." Read more

"...Melissa shows you how. Her honesty, humor, compassion made it more like spending a weekend with her than just reading a book...." Read more

5 customers mention "Humor"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the humor in the book.

"...It’s an honest, funny and totally unglossed narration about a struggling coach/human being who’s finding her way in life, getting more and more..." Read more

"...Melissa shows you how. Her honesty, humor, compassion made it more like spending a weekend with her than just reading a book...." Read more

"...She writes with humor and a sense of humility I found refreshing...." Read more

"...Thank you Melissa for your honesty, humor and encouragement in this writing." Read more

3 customers mention "Content"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the content honest, funny, and unglossed. They also appreciate the author's authenticity, courage, and vulnerability.

"...Melissa’s concise book gave me both in generous amounts. It’s an honest, funny and totally unglossed narration about a struggling coach/human being..." Read more

"...Melissa shows you how. Her honesty, humor, compassion made it more like spending a weekend with her than just reading a book...." Read more

"...much for all that it took for you to write this, including your amazing authenticity, courage, and vulnerability...." Read more

3 customers mention "Readability"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read, with short and snappy chapters. They also say the journey is engaging and easy to relate to.

"...With short and snappy chapters, Living Service is rich in content, and Melissa doesn’t hold back on letting us know how often she messed up, and the..." Read more

"...Melissa's journey was engaging and easy to relate to while teaching us living a life of service is the way to go." Read more

"It was an easy read and a profound read." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2019
After a long career in advertising, life somehow pushed me gently into coaching. And like in my copywriting days, I am so enamored with growing in this new profession, that I’m constantly looking for high quality material about life in general, and this truly fascinating job in particular. Melissa’s concise book gave me both in generous amounts. It’s an honest, funny and totally unglossed narration about a struggling coach/human being who’s finding her way in life, getting more and more successful in the process. The book doesn’t just deal with the amazingly powerful topic of serving; it’s a vastly helpful collection of insights and tips around becoming a coach to be reckoned with. With short and snappy chapters, Living Service is rich in content, and Melissa doesn’t hold back on letting us know how often she messed up, and the transformative things she learned by going all-in. In an area of perceived perfection and unrealistic promises (‘Become a six figure coach in one week!’), this is a book that will truly and honestly help you on your journey to become a masterful, humble and life-changing coach, no matter where you think you are.
3 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2020
I completely enjoyed this magnificent book!
At the time I read this I thought I was giving up on coaching. Until Melissa Ford brilliantly described the "3 Steps of Mastery". I realized I wasn't lazy or inept at enrolling clients! I was simply still in "Stage 2" of Mastery! Now that I had a perspective on the stages of my journey as a coach I could begin again. With much more humility and confidence.
I love the way Melissa takes our hand and walks us through each stage and experience. Especially the cringy ones you thought only belonged to you! I love how she openly shares exact emails, phone convo's and conversations with her clients, colleagues, and her coach. So fabulously helpful! You get the nitty-gritty of what works and what doesnt when it comes to being a truly heart-centered prosperous coach. More things I loved: The acronym 'HOW" she gives us, as very helpful, immediately useful way how to resolve anything. I also liked the illustrations, They perfectly punctuated and illuminated Melissa's words.
Not just for coaches, but for anyone on the path of service. Or anyone looking to to have great, high integrity relationships in their life and work. I highly recommend this deeply practical, warm hearted and inspiring book!
2 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2023
One of the best books I have ever read on Coaching! Very inspiring content! Really appreciate the personal experiences of Melissa’s story.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2020
It is one of the 3 most important books on coaching I've read -- the other ones being The Prosperous Coach which adds perfectly to Melissa's book and The Coaching Manual by Julie Starr about the how-to and internal logistics of coaching.

I wanted to believe it is possible to build a successful practice while being true to yourself -- no manipulation, no shady sales funnels. Melissa shows you how. Her honesty, humor, compassion made it more like spending a weekend with her than just reading a book. I could not put it down.

It is a book for a coach at any stage of mastery and prosperity and it will show you how to be prosperous by serving others.
3 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2020
If you are struggling to create clients, charge the fees that you are worth, suffering from imposter syndrome and so much more, this book can help you identify and address your business struggles so you can move from panicking to thriving.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2019
In her book “Living Service - The Journey of a Prosperous Coach, Melissa dares us to embrace the idea of success and prosperity as being part of an inescapable journey of learning that exposes us each to our human frailties, fears and misunderstandings. In a humorous, disclosing way she reminds us to embrace our continual evolution and not to get caught up in the losing proposition of “Getting it Right” that is the cornerstone of failure to living a successful, happy life. Melissa offers insightful questions that encourage us to learn about ourselves at a deeper level, leaving it open for each of us to decide what is of significance to us on our journey, knowing each of our paths are unique.
Melissa helps us examine our ideas of service to see how they may be helping or hindering us on our road to success. She teaches us that true service always includes serving ourselves as part of the equation. Service is not an act put on to manipulate others into supporting us, or an endless endeavor of ennobled giving to prove our worthiness. True service is an equation that supports both people in a win, win solution serving the whole.
I enjoyed reading this delightful book which helped me to examine and expand my own ideas of service. I recommend this book to anyone in the service business wishing to expand their prosperity while living a fulfilling life. You will have a laugh as you recognize your own mishaps, you will breathe a sigh of relief at letting go of your misconstrued ideas of perfection, and you will become inspired as you open to new perspectives in thinking that support you in your endeavor to offer your talents and services to others and live a happy and rewarding life.
2 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2019
I loved this book.

Sometimes a book crosses your path exactly when you need it. This was one of those books. Although I'm not new to coaching, I recently started my own coaching business. I felt like Melissa was speaking directly to me personally as I read the book. It was relatable, as she told her coaching stories and experience from struggling coach to building a successful practice. She writes with humor and a sense of humility I found refreshing. Melissa writes honestly about her journey and made me rethink "service" as it relates to my coaching practice and my life.

This is one of the best coaching books I've read.
2 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2023
This book brings out the beauty in Melissa's journey and our own journeys if only we see it and live it. I, for one, am inspired to BE service and also empowered with actionable tools (such as questions to ask myself) to ensure I'm being service always.

Thanks Mel
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

João Carlos
5.0 out of 5 stars Esclarecedor
Reviewed in Brazil on June 2, 2021
Muito útil para quem está começando a carreira no Coaching.
Yanwild
5.0 out of 5 stars Un livre qui fait du bien
Reviewed in France on December 28, 2023
J’ai lu deux fois le livre de Mélissa Ford, et sa vision du service m’a aidé à remettre ma pratique en question. C’est un livre honnête qui se livre sans chichis.
Anonymous
5.0 out of 5 stars Profound and Insightful
Reviewed in India on June 13, 2021
Melissa bares it all and shares what really goes on in the world of a coach as they begin their journey and as they progress. She openly shares what struggles, mindset and thoughts a coach goes through and then she also shares stories, insights and anecdotes of how she transcended some of them.

Loved the lucid and simple language of the book. I highly recommend this book to all the coaches no matter where you are in your journey. This book will definitely help you along your way of Living Service.

Love,
Yayati Desai
Life Coach
India
Orit Eshel
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for any coach
Reviewed in Germany on October 10, 2019
The first book I read about the business of coaching was The Prosperous Coach co-written by Melissa Ford’s coach Steve Chandler who I’ve been reading and following the last couple of years so the concept of Service was not new to me. I’ve also read Melissa’s Chapter in When All Boats Rise and heard her on a couple of podcasts. So when her book came out I eagerly started to read it and found out that my conduct with clients already changes while reading the book. I love Melissa’s honesty and sharing. It makes it so easy to relate and not feel ashamed about our own “mistakes” but rather see them as an opportunity to grow up and be a better coach and of better service and create deeper relationships. The book gives me an opportunity to see what my blind spots, traps and fears are and change my attitude naturally once I see them.
Not less important is are some issues Melissa raises that are not important only for coaches, and foremost the issue of allowing ourselves to not being right, to listen to criticism without defence and how to respond to that. (chapter 16 It’s a game-changer in any aspect of our lives.
Since many of the books around on this topic are by men, she spoke to me even more deeply. I was inspired reading for the first time a few weeks ago and not less the second time round now. I’ve marked about every other page, recommended it to fellow coaches, to a couple of clients and sought every podcast I could listen to her. I guess this means I highly recommend the book!
2 people found this helpful
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Ling-en H.
3.0 out of 5 stars Pas concret (sauf pour un débutant ?)
Reviewed in France on May 24, 2020
Beaucoup de storytelling et j’ai arrêté à 1/3 du livre.
Si vous êtes du genre très émotionnel et introspectif et que vous débutez dans le cochcing, ça peut vous convenir. Sinon...