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What brought you to coaching?
My first exposure to coaching was on a talent development programme early on in my HR career, it blew me away how someone who knew nothing about me could help me to decipher the next steps of my career path through a few simple questions over the space of half an hour.
The turning point was attending a two-day coaching course for front line managers. I knew there and then that I wanted to be a full-time coach rather than simply having coaching as part of my role.
What were your original thoughts for applying the coaching?
My dream at the time was to run my own coaching business however I knew that no matter where my journey took me, coaching would be an invaluable part of what I could offer, either as an employee, a self-employed coach or simply as a person interacting with others.
What was your profession before coming a coach?
Before becoming a coach, I was a Development Consultant in the arena of Leadership and Talent Management.
What did you find most interesting to learn?
My learning journey had too many mind-blowing elements to mention here, it’s hard to choose the most interesting one. A big breakthrough moment for me was learning the power of silence – both for my practice clients and myself. You can uncover so much by saying nothing and holding that space. Like I said – mind-blowing!
What was the most rewarding part of the training/journey?
The most rewarding part of my training was seeing the positive impact that coaching had on the wonderful individuals who agreed to be my practice clients. Being able to observe their ‘aha’ moments that helped them move forward was both humbling and a privilege.
Which bits did you enjoy the most?
I have to say it is the only qualification I have studied where I have enjoyed each and every single part of it – even the Learning Record Sheets!
How did the qualification slot in with your current life?
The flexibility of the qualification journey i.e. being able to choose when and where to do the Accelerator days and the dates/times of practical assessments and webinars etc. meant that I was easily able to slot it in around my day to day life in a way that felt I was making steady progress, without it taking over my life. Being a wife and a mother, this was hugely important to me.
What else did you have to consider whilst qualifying?
At one point during my qualification journey, I did have to pause and take stock of what I was doing and why. I realised that I had got into the process of simply wanting to tick things off and move onto the next one rather than being present in each learning element and taking the time to really let it bed in. Pressing pause at that time enabled me to enjoy the actual ‘journey’ rather than just wanting to get to the end destination. A useful realisation to reflect on when working with clients.
Where are you now?
Now, a little over a year since qualifying, I am also a qualified NLP Practitioner and I have been running my own Coaching Business since November 2017.
What is your coaching niche and why did you choose it?
My coaching niche is ‘Growth & Transformation’ in that I help clients grow into and/or transform an area of their life so that they ‘Burn Brightly (not out!)’. I chose this focus as I can relate to it personally. This enables me to be authentic and credible whenever I interact with people about my coaching business in whatever guise that may be.
What is the best thing that could happen to your coaching business in the next two years?
That it is an award-winning, financially sustainable coaching business in the Health & Wellness arena.
What are your top tips for:
People who are looking at coaching
Go for it! Coaching will enhance your life, your career or wherever you go with it.
Those coaches currently in training
Enjoy the journey, allow each new learning element to sink in.
Coaches that are about to qualify
Give yourself permission to let your amazing achievement land and celebrate it! Then rest up a little while before you embark on the next exciting chapter of your coaching journey.
People that are in a similar situation to yourself
Be willing to reach out to the coaching community for support and challenge. Operate from a place of abundance, as there are plenty of people who would benefit from coaching, not least of all, us coaches!
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If Donna'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
The Coaching Academy was established in 1999, and is now the world's largest coaching school.
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