A pandemic has a way of prompting deep introspection. Over the past year, we’ve learned a valuable lesson: never underestimate the things we often take for granted. Yet, it has also sparked contemplation about our desires and aspirations for the future. In today’s world, job security seems to be a thing of the past, leaving many of us pondering our next steps. I’ve recently sought the guidance of a personal life coach, and I’d like to share why I made this decision and the remarkable impact it has had on my life.
I have what many consider a portfolio career. This simply means that there are a number of ways I make money and these are fed by very different passions that I have. There are plenty of advantages to this approach – mostly that during a pandemic I have been able to continue earning and don’t have all my eggs in one basket. The negatives are though that I sometimes / often feel that I am not productive or efficient enough. If asked to sum up what I do at the moment I would say I manage my blogs, I am the co-founder of Top Blog Coaching, I tutor a bit and I help support parents of teenagers.
I also realise to outsiders that it might not be clear what I do or what makes me happy. I have found myself at a bit of a crossroads too as I move away from talking about my own kids on the blog to looking at how I can support parents of teenagers better.
I also want to use the vast knowledge I have picked up from blogging to its best advantage and there is no way I am ready to stop blogging, writing has always been a form of therapy for me!
Last year during the first lockdown Louise and I started Top Blog Coaching – this is born out of a desire to help others understand the power of blogging. Having an online presence is so very important for businesses, we are seeing the high street shrinking and the power of the internet for small business owners. Top Blog Coaching offers a complete service as we can create blog posts for clients and upload them and do all the SEO science behind the scenes. By outsourcing blogging, business owners can focus on the bit they really enjoy. In addition to the full service we offer power hours, audits and coaching packages for those who want to learn the art of blogging for themselves.
We are totally committed to Top Blog Coaching and have grand plans ahead!
Alongside this, I wanted to explore my own personal goals going forward. As most know I come from an educational background, I have worked in the classroom, in inclusion units and get great satisfaction from working with hard to reach children. I thrive when I am supporting and teaching others. I felt something was missing in my work life, that buzz I got from teaching but equally, I know I don’t want to go back in the classroom. However, I do want to use the skill set I have from working with young people if you are looking for a career after teaching read my post 15 jobs after teaching!
Over the past few months, using a personal coach, I have been exploring what makes me truly happy in a work setting. It has been quite a revelation let me tell you. It has involved tears which floored me and some real soul searching but I have learnt a lot about myself.
I started some life coaching with Lauren Iles who got me straight away. Like me, she comes from an educational background so I knew that she understood where I came from, but Lauren is a communication expert so I think most people would feel like that when working with her! Louise and I had three sessions with Lauren to focus on our business ideas and it really made both Louise and I question what drives us and where our passion comes from. We also looked at the blocks we have and how to remove them in order to be more productive. Children being back at school is an obvious one right now!
It is safe to say that both of us learnt a lot! I have then had a few life coaching sessions on my own with Lauren to address some specific issues. Mostly I was feeling a little uncertain on my path. I often question what I am doing and where I am going and I had two very different ideas. After a few sessions I have so much clarity now and a clear view of what I want my portfolio career to look like. Where I was worried that I was trying to chase two different goals I now realise how much they interact and why both appeal to me. More importantly, I understand what is driving me and what I am going to do! This might sound a little cryptic – it isn’t it is actually now very simple , well at least it is in my mind!
Lauren uses a number of techniques including asking you to draw and document where you are now and where you want to be. I am a words person not a drawing person so initailly found this tricky but as Lauren explained its not about the picture, it just stimulate different parts of your brain in the process.
Life coaching has been really beneficial to me and helped me get clarity and set myself some goals for the year ahead. After three sessions I am now ready to get to work on my plans and I know that we will continue to use Lauren to help us stay focussed and give us that clarity.
Using a personal coach or having life coaching may feel alien to you and a modern woo woo idea but the practicality is very different. I have really embraced the process and it has given me drive and ambition. The past year has been really trying especially for mums who have had the main responsibility for managing home learning and working from home. So if you feel a bit of a crossroads or want to help get some clarity and perspective then I totally recommend booking a session with Lauren Iles Coaching and seeing where the journey can take you.
