“Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action.”
William James
During my twenty two years managing continuous improvement initiatives in warehouse operations, I was curious how I could become the best version of myself as I led teams through change. My interest in personal development was born and continues to this day.
The ‘second half of life’ saw me having to navigate choppy waters through both a career transition and issues in my personal life. Both of these events, which could have been traumatic, were transformed into positive, undramatic, and ultimately self-loving learnings with the help of a coach. I was intrigued.
Spurred on by my own reading and these constructive coaching experiences, I decided to train, gaining a Diploma in Coaching & Positive Psychology. Whilst the tools and techniques I learnt are important in helping clients flourish, I bring a ‘way of being’ which I believe is much more critical.
Working with you on the issues or goals that you identify, I help you bring clarity to your thoughts and actions through listening, conversation and careful questioning. I approach this from a position of complete service. You: my client, are at the heart of what I offer and together we create the necessary actions to help move you forwards.
Coaching differs from both therapy and mentoring. A therapist helps the client address and process what has happened in their past; mentoring describes a relationship between two individuals where the more experienced mentor supports and advises the mentee, usually in a career or educational context. Coaching is a co-creation between two parties. My role as the Coach is to listen unconditionally to you (to what is and what is not being said), and ask the right questions to elicit the answers that are held within you. I therefore guide you into thinking and talking more deeply – thus exploring the goal in mind. The process can lead to ‘a-ha’ moments for you, and help you unearth new ways of thinking around what is being discussed. A realistic action plan can then be agreed and implemented.
‘The Coaching Journey’ usually begins with a Discovery Call where we talk about how our sessions together would work. If you have a particular issue or goal at this point then we can talk around that and effectively ‘coach’ on it, to see if we are a good fit to work together. We would then schedule sessions at a mutually convenient time and decide on whether these will be in-person or remote, whatever works for you.
Recent studies have shown that upwards of 70% of us are breathing dysfunctionally. We have the ability to influence our parasympathetic (rest & digest) nervous system with this most natural of tools. Harnessing the ‘power of the breath’ has become a major part of my own journey towards health and vitality, and something I am keen to share with the world. I have learned various modalities and am always exploring this ‘new science of a lost art’. Breathing correctly has myriad benefits. Alongside the calming influence it has on the mind, it has been shown to improve many other aspects of our lives including sleep hygiene, balancing blood pressure, and alleviating the effects of many auto-immune conditions.
If appropriate and of interest I can include some breathing exercises into sessions to help clients reset.
“To change one’s life: Start immediately. Do it flamboyantly. No exceptions.”
William James