From Stressed Control Freak to Liberated Leader – a Coaching Case Study
So last week I shared Hannah’s case study of how she went from being unhappy and confused to thriving and relishing life through the realisations coaching opened up for her. This week I thought I’d share another case study – again I’ve changed some details and...
From Confused & Unhappy to Thriving & Flying – a Coaching Case Study
I recently finished a series of 5 coaching calls over 4 months with a client, and the difference in her was so marked, so fantastic to hear, I thought I’d capture a little of her journey in a case study. Obviously confidentiality is key in my relationship with all my...
What I Take For Granted (but I Shouldn't!)
I mentioned in my last post about our little visitor Valya making me see my life afresh, and today I wanted to acknowledge just some of those things I’ve noticed again that normally I take for granted: I’m grateful I live in a community full of caring thoughtful...
Our Life Through the Eyes of a Child
Our little Belarusian girl Valya arrived on Saturday. She’s staying with us for a month as part of the local Friends of Chernobyl’s Children group. She’s only 7 and speaks no English, and we speak no Belarusian (or Russian for that matter). It’s hard to even begin to...
Breaking out of the 'Shame – Procrastination' Cycle
After deciding to try something new to overcome my procrastination tendencies last week, this week has been a revealing and uncomfortable experiment! Yes, been able to tap into my compassion and desire to help ‘Future Rachel’ as I’d hoped, rather than assume that she...
Dealing with Procrastination and My Future Self
Uurghh, I’ve found myself falling into an old old pattern this week; assuming a future version of myself will prefer to do a task rather than the present version of me! “I’ll have more time for it tomorrow”, or “I don’t feel like it just now, but I’m sure I will...
Trees and How to Thrive in Your Life
Those of you who know me, or have been following my ramblings for a while, will know that once upon a time I grew and managed trees. My first career was in forestry. It took me a while (18 years) to realise I was better at growing people than trees (!) and to leave...
How to Find the Answers You Seek
I believe that, at some level, we all intuitively know the answers we seek are not ‘out there’, but really lie locked deep within ourselves – layer upon layer, chamber after chamber of deeper understanding and insight. Instead, what we are truly hunting for as we...
When Did Shame Get Put in Charge?
Shame has it’s sneaky insidious fingers everywhere in our life, permeating so much of our inner voice; all those secret fears and negative self-judgements. “I’m not thin enough” “I’m not fit enough” “I’m not desirable enough” “My marriage isn’t good enough” “I’m not a...
Does the Thought of Feedback Get You All of a Flutter?
There is an Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) presupposition which says “there is no failure, only feedback”. So why do so many of us fear ‘feedback’ so much? Performance assessments, grading, observations and feedback are very much a part of so many people’s life....
Can I Vote for a Leader Like This Please?
I've felt sad, disappointed and a little angry in the run up to this general election. I realise that it isn't the general election, or our politicians that cause these emotions; no, I've created them myself through my own thinking and fantasy of how I wish things...
Is Life Too Short for Neat Knickers?
I’ve had to laugh at myself this week, because after years of pouring scorn on people who have tidy underwear drawers, I’ve now joined their ranks. “Life is too short to fold my socks!” I used to cry, “I’m not likely to be lying on my death-bed regretfully thinking if...