Dear 'GMA' Advice Guru Top 20 Finalists: Lissa Coffey

Nov. 26, 2010 — -- Lissa Coffey from Westlake Village, Calif., is a finalist in the Dear GMA Advice Guru Contest. Read her application below!

Essay

No one has all the answers. But I do have a lot of them! And I definitely know where to go to get the answers I don't have. I'm known as a relationship expert and life is all about relationships: with yourself first and foremost, with others, with your community, with your work, and with your environment. With five self-help books published, a website that includes an online advice column, and personal experience including marriage, divorce, re-marriage, kids, step-kids, volunteer work with foster teens, and work in both the corporate arena and as an entrepreneur, I've pretty much been there, done that with any question that comes my way. Want to know what to wear to your 20-year high school reunion? How to feng shui your bedroom to bring in romance? What natural remedies you can try for AD/HD? How to throw a baby shower this weekend? How to recover from a bad break-up? Ask me! I graduated from UCLA in 1983 with a degree in sociology. I've followed up with certification in hypnotherapy, meditation, ayurveda, and more. I've been a teacher, a life coach, a consultant, and a mentor. We're all connected, and we're here to help each other learn and grow.

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

"Be the dog!" My sister was having trouble fitting in at her new job. Her co-workers were aloof, and unfriendly. I said, "They're acting like cats, defending their territory. My advice is this: Don't be catty like them. Instead, be the dog. Bounce in with your tail wagging, approach these people with warmth and enthusiasm." It worked! Tensions melted away, my sister made friends and thrived in her position. The whole environment changed to be one where the group worked as a team. It benefited everyone in the office.