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Coaches help people move towards a way of being, a way of working and a way of living that brings them more satisfaction – delight even – than they have at the moment. For some clients the main thrust of our sessions is about managing their working life, for many it’s how they feel about themselves and for other’s it’s to do with changing some aspect of how they’re living or interacting with other people. It’s always about improving on what’s gone before and there are usually a number of things people want to talk about.
A good test of whether there’s room for improvement is to ask yourself: If this wasn’t my current situation would I choose it?
The growing number of thoughtful women speaking to coaches like myself is testament to coaching’s many benefits. Have a look at the ‘Horses Mouth’ page for comments from real women I’ve worked with. They talk about feeling happier, calmer, better able to put things in perspective, feeling empowered, more balanced, more sure of themselves and achieving things they wouldn’t have done as quickly if at all.
Below are some brief headlines and descriptions of the situations and benefits my clients have experienced.
Jan, a director of a small and growing business, has been in touch with me when she wants to clear her head and explore ideas. Running your own business can be lonely and all-consuming and we've worked together on sorting out the illusive life balance thing and also on changing some thoughts that have held her social life back.
Similar to Jan, Mrs L had made the transition from working for a much admired brand to working for herself. A year down the line a friend recommended she be in touch with me to help her pin down her professional goals and to improve her sense of self worth. Together we clarified what she wanted, how she could achieve it, made plans for how she’d keep the business ticking over when her second child was born and I shared tools and techniques for operating more confidently with clients.
Ms W (early thirties, public sector worker) came to us because she didn't feel like she was in control. Work was very demanding as was her boss. Worried how she'd maintain any sort of a life when various projects hotted up, she got in touch. We've been boosting J's confidence in handling certain difficult situations and helping her draw boundaries and stick to them.
A new mother, M felt drawn to explore the next stage of her life with me after attending one of my seminars. She says she’s in a good place and wanting to capitalise on that, we began working together to see how she can retain and develop her sense of self during this period of transition. I’ve played a supporting and encouraging role as she finds her feet, tests and explores.
Ms R is an easy-going thirty year old, building a successful reputation in the legal profession. In her personal life negative thinking patterns, low confidence and weight gain had lead to her withdrawing from social occasions, frequent tears and a “I’m-beyond-help” attitude towards finding a partner. The trigger for getting in touch was an article I wrote for Limited Edition about thoughts shaping what we feel and do. Over two months IR's habits and thoughts altered to a point where she looked and sounded brighter every time we met and the things she'd been doing and thinking had shifted significantly. Her confidence and courage continued to grow beyond our coaching sessions.
Feeling miserable and helpless in a job that wasn't playing to her strengths, Rachel wanted to change the situation and the affect it was having on her closest relationship. Together we explored different options and worked through the getting-a-new-job process. It's great that in the end she hasn't had to leave her generous company to find something that she enjoys.
Jane is a madly busy lady who takes on a lot. At the top of an organisation with hundreds of people relying on her, our coaching appointments were a time to let off steam, be honest and think about her needs. At the end of our first session together in Waterloo station (the easiest place to meet given her schedule) her body had slowed down, she was sitting still and when I remarked upon this she said "Yes, my mind feels so much lighter."
Ms B works in broadcast media and several elements of her life were out of sorts which led to a sinking feeling. Together we managed her day-to-day state and over the longer term put plans in place to overcome the various negative niggles. For B it was important to have an independent, non-judgemental ear to listen and bounce ideas around with. That's what The Thinking Woman's Coach provided.
PC, a thirty-something, marketing director had a pretty good idea of where she wanted to go next professionally. In our meetings we helped her stand back from the situation and got P's mind working through the options. Our work was a thought clarifying exercise in the main and gave her the confidence to make decisions.