About
Most About pages are lists of accomplishments, the what of someone's professional career, with a little how thrown in for good measure. While some of that may creep into the conversation, this is about my why. That's what matters—what a person chooses to do, not what they did for pay at someone else's behest.
I'm Joel D Canfield, and I've always thought I was a little bit odd. As I bumbled my way through life it seemed folks agreed.
Joel, the Early Years
If you didn't laugh at that heading, go back and try again. I'm really not that pompous.
As a kid in the big woods of Wisconsin, I lived a life closer to what your grandparents did than what you're living now. We didn't lock our doors. No television, and usually no radio. Neighbors were a mile or more away, through the woods.
Entertainment was music, live, right in the living room (ours or an uncle's or neighbor's.) And reading; endless reading. I pestered my mom and older brother into helping me learn how when I was 3 or 4.
In the middle of 1st grade in the little 2-room school-house about 20 miles from where I'm writing this, they realised I was working at High School level in most subjects and moved me ahead to 2nd grade. As a result I was generally the youngest, smallest kid in any class. I also thought being smart bought me something. Both right and wrong, that.
Being Me
Before I could even read I realised that saying and doing what I thought didn't always have good results. Whether it was weakness of spirit or the strength of the opposition, I spent the next 40 years being what the world expected instead of who I really am.
Eight years ago, after my first marriage fell apart, I married someone who loved me for that secret personality, and she's been coaxing it out ever since. She loves my music, which is no surprise since most of my songs are about her. She loves our nomad life, which is great, 'cause otherwise I'd miss her when I traveled. She thinks I'm the smartest person in the world, which is nice even when she's wrong.
I Am Not A Business Coach or a Marketing Consultant
Any more.
I used to be a business coach and marketing consultant. These days, everyone with a laptop is a business coach or marketing consultant. Unless they're a life coach, of course.
I help you with whatever you'd like help with, but I figgered it was time to stop masquerading; disguising my philosophy as some sort of business. (I'd prefer not to point fingers, but there's an awful lot of masquerading going on out there. A title, whether bestowed by a training institution or self-selected, doesn't qualify anyone for anything. Be, do, have. Be what you are. Do the work. Having comes last.)
Some of us are fortunate enough to find someone who gives us the safety to get unstuck and become on the outside who we are on the inside. I know I'm fortunate that way.
If you'd like someone to truly listen, to help you dig up the answers you most certainly have within, I'd like to help.