Coaching

Step 3-“Deep dive”/Career Coaching

Do you ever wonder what else you might have done, if you hadn’t taken the paths you’ve taken? Are you thinking about a career transition? Or considering staying where you are and making some changes?

DON’T PANIC! This programme helps you see that it is not too late!

It’s especially useful if you aren’t sure where to start. Through 1:1 coaching and a series of thought-provoking exercises, you’ll come to understand yourself better, and choose a direction for the next step of your working life.

The 3 step framework - Explore, Dream, Discover - is inspired by the above Mark Twain quotation. It’s a proven framework, created by career change experts, and it takes you from confusion to clarity:

1. Explore: First of all, you build up a picture of who you are - at work and outside work, as a human being. You also get a clear understanding of which parts of you might try to convince you to make career choices which aren’t in line with what you really want deep down.

2. Dream: Then we get creative, looking at options which light you up!

3. Discover: And finally, we narrow it down to a choice which feels right, and build a plan.

It’s amazing what can happen when you get some clarity and start putting it out into the world.

A personal story: When I did some coaching exercises during a course back in 2008, I came back to work and told my boss I’d realised I wanted to do something to support the environment. A couple of weeks later, as if by magic, he was asked to identify someone on the management board to run a sustainability awareness programme. This set me on a new track, being able to pursue something more meaningful whilst staying in the same job. I’ve continued to work and volunteer in this space ever since and have also made new lifelong friends as a result.

It’s for you if...

• You’re in employment and want to make a plan for what’s next, which is more aligned with your values and who you want to be/who you REALLY are.

• This might mean moving, or it might mean you stay where you are and make some changes to bring things in line with your values and who you really are, if you’re in a position to do so.  

There are different types of career coaching and advisory services. This one is suitable for people who wish to take the time to do some exploration.  If you have a more immediate need, e.g. you are being made redundant and your main priority is to find another job quickly, this programme is not the best one for you. If you wish, I can connect you with a professional CV writer who offers career support advice.

Duration: The process typically takes 3-6 months if you are in full-time employment.  It includes 12 hours’ coaching plus exercises for you to do by yourself and bring to our meetings to discuss.   You choose how often we meet for our 1:1 coaching, to fit in around your schedule and allow you time to reflect and do your homework.

Shorter option: If you already have an idea of what you want to do and would just like to test it out a little, we can do a shorter version of the career coaching programme. We’ll discuss your situation and I’ll share the options so you can decide what you want to do.

“Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it.

Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”  

(Howard Thurman)

(Thank you to Carlos and Laurence at the Happy Startup School for bringing this quotation into my life, and for all the wonderful work they do!)

Step 4: Build and implement a plan

You’ve got your mental fitness foundations, you’ve identified some priorities to focus on to get you closer to your ideal future. Now I act as your thinking partner, as you articulate the direction you wish to take, build a plan and put it into action.

So, for example, you might say:

• I’d like to get better at healthy conflict and be comfortable working with people who have different styles to mine.

• I want to build a life which I can enjoy now, not putting things off. How can I get more involved with my local community whilst still doing a good job at work and being present for my family & friends? Could I fit it all in without overcommitting myself?

• I’ve completed the “deep dive”/career coaching and have identified my perfect next step. I’d appreciate the support of a thinking partner as I embark on this new leg of my journey.

As your thinking partner, I listen to you and I challenge you. No criticising or judging. I won’t tell you what to do, but I will help you keep on track and I’ll help to keep you honest. I’m like a kind but firm personal trainer for your mind.

If you “fail” at something, DON’T PANIC. This is where the gold nuggets lie, and I help you explore what you can learn from the “failure”. Maybe even turn it into a gift. This is one of the key learnings in the Mental Fitness programme.

I help you make conscious decisions and become a leader in your own life.

“Until you make the unconscious conscious,

it will direct your life and you will call it fate”

(Carl Jung)

If you want to read a little more about coaching with me, there’s more in the FAQs.

Duration: The standard package is 10 hours 1:1 coaching over 3-6 months. Depending on the pace at which you wish to make changes, we can meet on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis. As a rule, it tends to be more frequent at first, to get clear on the direction and get some momentum, and then it can be less frequent once you’re on track and just want to keep up the momentum. Sessions may last between 45 minutes and 3 hours, depending on what you wish to achieve in the session.

Longer term plan option: If you already think you’d like to work together longer term, I offer a 20 hour contract over 12 months. We agree checkpoints/intermediate goals and can do a new audit as needed to identify new focus areas and begin the next phase of the plan.

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Not sure? Apply for a taster programme:

For people who aren’t sure if they’re ready, or want to make sure I’m the right coach for them, I get it! It’s a big commitment, to sign up to work with a coach. I have a couple of special programmes which allow you to see what it’s like to work with me:

• Mental Fitness and 1:1 coaching taster package: this includes the mental fitness foundations programme and 3 hours of coaching, to be used over a 3 month period.

• One month “Sprint” option: I also offer a special 4 hour “sprint” over a one month period, to help you get unstuck and make progress on a short-term goal.

Please get in touch if you would like to apply for one of these programmes.

If you’d like to know more about my background and what it’s like to work with me, take a look at About me and Testimonials.

If you think you might want to work with me, feel free to connect with me on Linkedin and book a free discovery session.

“Life is an echo. What you send out comes back. What you sow you reap.

What you give you get. What you see in others exists in you.”

(Zig Ziglar)

Reminder of coaching programme structure:

Step 1: An audit to set the direction; Step 2: Build mental fitness foundation; Steps 3 & 4: “Deep dive”/career coaching and Build and implement a plan (see above)

The “rubber duck” story

Once upon a time, two IT guys were sitting in their cubicles coding.

Dave was struggling. "Rick? Can I just talk something through with you?" He described the problem while Rick listened. He then concluded "Actually, it's OK, I've worked it out all by myself! Thanks, mate!"

It happened the next day, and the next.

On the fourth day, to Dave's surprise, when he said "Rick?", Rick said “STOP!” He handed Dave a rubber duck, and said "Talk it through with the duck! I'm busy!"

I was devastated when I first heard this story. Why? Because, as a trainee coach, I had just asked a client for feedback and he told me this story. He said he’d found the coaching very helpful, and added: “And - don’t take this the wrong way - but sometimes it’s a bit like talking to a rubber duck”. He then told me the above story.

Gulp! I had just spent 7 months training to become a Business and Leadership coach! And I was being compared to a rubber duck.

I’ve since used this feedback to reflect on what the difference is between just putting a problem into words yourself and working with a coach. I’ve also become a better coach. I’ve got better at listening, and noticing unhelpful patterns in my clients and speaking up about it. More about my thoughts on coaching on the FAQ page here.

After all that time in the corporate world, and now exploring my new identity as an entrepreneur, the duck image is a good reminder not to take myself too seriously!

“One is never alone with a rubber duck.”
(Douglas Adams)