Coach In The Spotlight - Sue Atkins

Huge congratulations to Sue Atkins for recently winning “Most Inspirational Therapist or Coach" in the What's On 4 Me 2012 National Awards! Keep up the good work Sue.

What brought you to coaching?

I became very interested in self development and read a great book by Fiona Harrold called “Be Your Own Life Coach” and I wanted to apply this way of working to parenting so I went off to re train as a Parent Coach from being a Deputy Head Teacher!

What were your original thoughts for applying the coaching?

I love learning and I was ready for a new challenge so I read the brochure from The Coaching Academy and came along to a one day event – and I was hooked !

What did you find most interesting to learn?

The art of asking great questions and allowing people the space and time to ponder them. I just love asking questions to help parents find their own answers.

What was the most rewarding part of the training/journey?

Learning new skills that transform other peoples lives quickly and easily

Which bits did you enjoy the most?

I just LOVED the NLP training and I went on to train with Paul Mckenna and Dr Richard Bandler to become a Master Practitioner and Trainer.

How did the qualification slot in with your current life?

Seamlessly !

What else did you have to consider whilst qualifying?

Being structured and disciplined to keep up with the units

Where are you now? How are you using your coaching skills?

I am an internationally recognised Parenting Expert, Broadcaster, Speaker and Author of the Amazon best selling books "Parenting Made Easy – How To Raise Happy Children” published by Random House & “Raising Happy Children for Dummies" one in the famous black and yellow series as well as author of the highly acclaimed Parenting Made Easy CDs.

I have just launched the 1st in my series of Parenting Made Easy apps for iPhones and iPads. I offer practical guidance for bringing up happy, confident, well behaved children from toddler to teen. I regularly appear on the award winning flagship ITV show “This Morning”, BBC Breakfast and The Jeremy Vine Show on BBC Radio 2 and is the parenting expert for many BBC Radio Stations around the UK. I have a regular monthly parenting phone- in on BBC Radio Surrey & Sussex and my parenting articles are published all over the world.

What is your coaching niche and why did you choose it?

I am passionate about parenting and making a difference in the lives of families from toddler to teen.

What is the best thing that could happen to your coaching business in the next 2 years?

I get my own TV series called Parenting Made Easy with Sue Atkins

What is your favourite coaching question?

If I could be your Fairy Godmother and wave a magic wand for you – what would you most like me to change ?

What do you enjoy most about being a coach?

The difference I can make simply by asking meaningful and empowering questions What are your top tips for:

People who are looking at coaching?

Be very clear about your niche and WHY you want to coach in that area.

Those coaches currently in training?

Believe in yourself and don’t let doubts get in your own way

Coaches that are about to qualify?

Now go and celebrate! It’s important to pat yourself on the back when you achieve small and large goals as it keeps you motivated

People that are in a similar situation to yourself?

Be grateful for the journey and the difference you make to people that have never even met you but read your articles and books.