Sue Counts

My name is Sue Counts, and I am the County Extension Director for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension in Boone, North Carolina (Watauga County).  I’m also a Coach in Training (CIT) with the Total Success Institute (TSI).  My plans are to retire in July of 2009 and become a full-time coach for TSI.  I feel that TSI fits very well with my own mission for life which is to “create an abundant and full life for ME—and make the world a better place to live by loving unconditionally, sharing freely, communicating openly and creating cooperatively.”

I was born in 1943 in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia to wonderful parents whose roots went back to the first settlers of the county (Dickenson) -- home of The Breaks Interstate Park.  My father served our country in the U.S. Army during World War II.  After the war, he returned home a broken, wounded man who took his life a few days upon returning.  This tragic event had a lasting effect on my life!  I believed that it was my responsibility to make everyone happy. 

I graduated from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA, having received both my Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in 1965 and 1968 respectively.  I have had a full, diverse career with the federal, state, and county governments and three universities—mostly in the area of health and education.  I have been creative and innovative in my approaches to educational extension programs to address the needs of the people in the community–all of this contributing to an Extension Program of Diversity.

I first heard about TSI from Dee Petersen in early 2004.  I took the TSI Basic 101 course in June of 2004 with Gavin Allinson.  The Intermediate 201 course was completed in the fall of 2004 and the Advanced 301 course was completed in June 2005, both with Cliff Stockamp.

At first I was a bit unsure that TSI was for me, but the past 2 ½ years have proven that my choice to take TSI was indeed one of the best choices that I have ever made.  I have continued to make progress (positive results) in all five areas of my life.  I feel that TSI is the most powerful personal development program I have ever experienced in the way of positive results and changes in my life.  These changes have occurred as a result of actions taken, coaching and a team of supportive people that encourage and hold me accountable for my actions.

When I did the “Self Assessment” for the first time, I scored myself 80%.  I immediately started getting results in all areas of my life.  I realized that my score should not have been an 80%, because if it were, I would not be seeing the improvements in the areas that I was seeing.  Then, I remembered hearing that most human beings operate at 10% of their potential.  This made sense to me!  I felt that if you compared me to most of my peers, I was operating at 80%, but if I compared myself to my full potential, then I was operating much lower—maybe 60% or lower.  THIS REALLY HURT!  I was not used to getting an “F” in anything, and getting an “F” on LIFE was a REAL AWAKENING!  I went back and did the Self Assessment again and gave myself a 60%.

I want to share some of the changes that have occurred in my life as a result of being fully engaged in the TSI Transformational Coaching Program:

Career:  Since taking TSI, I have been the recipient of several awards for distinguished service and leadership.  In addition, I have served on several state level board/committees.  My salary has increased 47%.  I made the decision to retire in July 2009 and become a TSI coach.

Financial:  I have increased my salary by 47% since starting TSI.  I am completely FREE of unsecured debt and I have a growing savings account.  I will be able to retire in July 2009 with monthly pension and social security benefits that exceeds what I was making before starting TSI.

Family: I am more open and honest with my family.  My relationship with my daughters, son-in-laws and grandchildren has improved, and I have increased integrity in all relationships with family and friends.  I am more self-confident and know that I want a wonderful man in my life.  I am ready for that relationship!

Social:  I am very involved with my church, community, friends, and family of origin.  I am a member of several Board of Directors, including the Chamber of Commerce, where I am presently the Vice Chair of the Board.  I am responsible for initiating and organizing family reunions.  I worked with members of my high school class to establish a Scholarship Endowment, and during TSI, I took a class to do a website for the Haysi High School Class of 1961 Scholarship Endowment Fund (www.hhs61scholarship.com). 

Physical:  I enrolled in Curves in the fall of 2004.  I exercise on a regular basis and I have been successful in achieving improved health and wellness.  I continue to work toward my ideal weight. 

I am the mother of two wonderful daughters, and the grandmother of three fantastic, beautiful grandchildren — Ashley, Daniel, and Hannah.  I consider parenthood the most important job I have ever had, and grandparenthood the most enjoyable and FUN.  I have been divorced since 1980.

I enjoy traveling, genealogy, spending time with family and friends, and serving my community to make it a better place to live.