I started my full-time coaching practice in January of 1991 becoming Minnesota’s first Professional Business Coach. For 10 years, I identified myself as "Jim Earley, Performance Coach." Then, in November of 2000, I sensed it was time for a new professional identity and created Trailblazer Coaching.

Let's talk about the word "Trailblazer." I wanted a name that would fit me, and would also fit my clients. I wanted a name that spoke as much about creating a direction in life more as it did finding one.
           
I wanted a name that hinted at the important choices we sometimes face in life that would be the context of our coaching relationship.

When I considered the name Trailblazer Coaching, I realized it fit. I had certainly blazed lots of trails in my life, including one for the business/personal coaching industry in Minnesota, so the name fit me. I also knew that nearly every person who had hired me had faced the need to do something they had never done before. Every coaching client faces a trail they need to blaze.

In July of 2001, I realized my life was great, better than ever. Yet there were a couple of areas of life where I was dissatisfied. I realized that in those areas, I had been consistent in how I'd approached them over the years and that what I had was as good as I could expect to have.

If I wanted something more, I would need to live differently. I'd need to blaze some new trails.

Out of that, the tag line for my business card was born:
When you realize the road you are on won't get you where you want to go.

Background
2008: Awarded the Gaston Award for Distinguished Service by the Minnesota Coaches Association.

Education: MA, Industrial Relations/Human Resources, University of Minnesota, 1983
BA, cum laude, Journalism, University of Minnesota, 1978

Coaching Training: Academy of Coaching Excellence, Coach University, The Arbinger Institute

Non-Traditional Education: Below are some of the insights about motivation and abilities relevant to my choice of coaching as a career and my ability to do it well.

Professional Organizations: Founding member of the Minnesota Coaches Association as well as former President and board member; International Coach Federation; University of Minnesota, Industrial Relations Center, Alumni Association (former President and board member); and the American Society of Training and Development (former board member).