What brought you to coaching?
I had been experiencing an increasing feeling of ‘restlessness’ since returning to my career after starting a family. I was no longer getting the fulfilment that I had once got through my job and I felt it was time for a change. At first, I wasn’t clear what that new something would be but what I was absolutely certain about was that I could no longer continue what I was doing at the time. So, I took the first big step by quitting my current job in order to allow myself the head space to explore other avenues. Then, a few weeks later, TCA’S Free 2-Day Course popped up on my Facebook feed and it grabbed my interest.
I signed up and… fell in love with it! I realised before I had even got on the train home that it was the right move for me, it felt like the most natural thing in the world, I realised how coaching would exercise a whole host of skills and experience that I already had in order to help others achieve whatever they desired.
What was your profession before becoming a coach?
Before becoming a coach, I worked within the Pharmaceutical Industry in drug development, R&D.
Tell us about your journey whilst you were working hard to qualify
As I had chosen to quit my job only weeks before signing up to train as a coach, I was keen to be able to complete the course as quickly as possible so that I could get my own business up and running without delay.
This started with me purchasing a journal at the station on my way home from the 2 day taster in London. I started downloading all my ideas and thoughts about how I could start using coaching, develop my learning and start building my business.
I also got myself a coach. Having a coach, coach me, throughout the learning journey was invaluable. It helped me to gain clear sight of my goals from the outset, it kept me motivated and ensured that my own self- awareness was raised in relation to any self- limiting beliefs that may have created stumbling blocks along the way. I learnt so much about myself along the way, I learnt how powerful coaching is when helping my clients to navigate through complex thought processes that they had otherwise struggled with independently which was extremely rewarding.
What did you find most interesting to learn?
I came away from each and every one of the Accelerator days with increasing enthusiasm and interest in the field of coaching. If I was forced to choose one area, I would say that DISC was fascinating, it really increased my appreciation for how different people are from one another – how we are wired differently and how understanding this better can make such a difference in how we communicate with one another, manage (or avoid) conflict and get the most from people that we interact with every day of our lives. The learnings that I took from this field I have used every single day since I attended the Accelerator day.
What was the most rewarding part of the journey?
Coaching has changed the way in which I communicate with people. Even my children have benefitted from my newly honed skills. I am now able to coach them to be resourceful and problem solve for themselves which has been fantastic.
Which bits did you enjoy the most?
I loved the Accelerator days, if I ever felt a momentary dip in my confidence to succeed, attending one of the Accelerator days would always pick me straight back up. Absolutely fantastic quality training with very engaging and supportive trainers!
How did the qualification slot in with your current life?
Coaching fitted perfectly well within my current life, even though it was my sole focus ‘9-5’, I am a mother and have the usual demands that come with it to juggle day to day. I felt that the course structure gave me enough flexibility to manage this with no problem.
Where are you now? How are you using your coaching skills?
Right now I am back in full time employment, in a new industry. In my role, I am using skills and experience that I have developed over many years and applying these in a new environment. At the same time, I am developing a coaching programme for the organisation in partnership with Human Resources. This coaching programme will be based on the need to develop in house coaching capability within the company and support the development of a coaching culture within the organisation.
What is your coaching niche and why did you choose it?
My niche is career change. I choose this because of my own personal experiences and my strong desire to help others find a fulfilling career. In addition, I have a keen interest in change management which often forms an integral part of coaching within career change. Career change encompasses the full range of career shift from career starters, mid- life career changers through to retirement.
What is the best thing that could happen to your coaching business in the next 2 years?
Growth!
What are your top tips for:
People who are looking at coaching?
Do it! You will gain so much from it even if you are unsure as to whether you want to be a coach yourself at a later stage.
Those coaches currently in training?
Keep going! The sense of accomplishment at the end will be worth it.
Ensure that you try and keep up with your personal development journal as you go along the way.
People that are in a similar situation to yourself?
Your coaching skills can be used in so many different ways. Setting up on your own is one way but it’s not the only way to continue your journey as a qualified coach. You can look for opportunities to use your coaching skills within the existing role or organisation that you are in or you can simply use your new skills in everyday life!
If Emily's words have inspired you and you feel that Coaching could be a potential full or part time opportunity for you, or if you would just like to know a little more about what Coaching is and how it can benefit you and the lives of others, please contact our Specialist Course Advisor, Jamil on 0208 996 4830 or email: Jamil@the-coaching-academy.com
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