Dear 'GMA' Advice Guru Top 20 Finalists: Fran Harris

Nov. 26, 2010 — -- Fran Harris from Dallas, Texas, is a finalist in the Dear GMA Advice Guru Contest. Read her application below!

Essay

I'm GMA's Ultimate Advice Guru because I've made my living for the past 10 years as a speaker and life coach helping individuals, families, teams, universities and companies become peak performers and high functioning humans. From couples on the brink of divorce, fighting siblings, corporate back biting, fitness, to simple dating common sense -- I've honestly done it all -- and mostly on TV. ...My background is rich and diverse -- WNBA & NCAA Champion, fitness expert/trainer, teen sports coach, relationship coach, teambuilding expert, conflict resolutionist, entrepreneur, former Fortune 100 sales executive and avid blogger. I'm natural on camera, bold, sensible and confident in my advice, yet completely in tune with how to keep people engaged while giving them tough medicine. I'm quick and witty, direct in my communication but never disrespectful. And while I'm the one giving the advice, I never lose sight of the fact that it ain't about me. I am focused and committed to measurable results.... I'm extremely well-versed in the Internet, social media and community building, which means that I know how to create synergy between what we do on-air and the web in a big way -- and it goes beyond Twitter & Facebook. Finally, I guarantee that with me as your Advice Guru, we'll not only have a blast but also plenty of interactive tracking tools to measure my effectiveness, you know, so ABC can be sure that my million dollar salary is well-deserved.

What's the best advice you have ever given? What was the result?

Don't make your stuff about the person you're having the problem with. Our experience -- whatever we're feeling about or towards a situation or person -- is about US, not them. This realization changed my life...and has transformed my clients' lives, marriages, businesses, families and relationships. The common behavior is to blame people for the way we feel. When we can ask ourselves why we're feeling the way we're feeling and share from that place, we'll be better equipped to have healthier relationships with everyone. The result is that I now have more open, transparent relationships with people because I'm not always trying to make them wrong or the fall guy for my insecurities and shortcomings.