Case Studies & Testimonials: Career Coaching
Karen: I can't fit my job round school times. What shall I do?
Karen had somehow managed to juggle work and nursery for nearly 4 years although she had never been completely satisfied with the situation. Now, with her eldest son starting school, she was not sure whether she should try and find a new job as she couldn't afford to give up completely.
Through a structured career coaching programme, where we clarified what motivates her and where her key skills lie, amongst other factors, we looked at various options. As Karen is quite analytical, we used an analytical approach to compare the different options open to her. After narrowing down to 2 specific options she then researched them further to assess how realistic they were. Finally, after overcoming some of the fears which were holding her back, she is testing out a new job option before she makes the final plunge...we now have sessions whenever she feels she has reached a turning point, or needs little help to progress.
Sue: Do I want to return to work after having a baby?
Sue was just about to return to work after maternity leave and the thought left her scared and unsure. Questions kept popping into her head, could she leave her baby? should she leave her baby? how was she going to be able to fit work in around the nursery times?
We worked out what were her main areas of concern, and how she could help alleviate them. She also developed a plan with pre-determined "break-points" when she would review how she was feeling, and what her next steps would be. This gave her a feeling of taking control of her future and allowed her to go back to work, knowing that there were other options available in the future. She also decided to approach her employer about more flexible working hours.
Catherine: I've got a great business idea - where do I start?
Catherine was a busy corporate Mum who had a great business idea. She came to me as she felt that something was stopping her from embarking on her business dream (apart from lack of time!). Part of her was scared of failure, but she was also scared of succeeding, with the resulting implications for demands on her time just for starters.
With such a clear issue, we concentrated on the specific issue "how to overcome her personal blockages and launch her new business idea", right from the first session. Through a combination of understanding what was blocking her and through generating realistic step by step goals each fortnight, Catherine quickly put the pieces in place for her dream business. She now has a website up and running, venues booked and clients waiting, and there is no stopping her - brilliant!
Life coaching case studies & testimonials
Testimonials
“Anna Davis has been my coach for a couple of months so far; thanks to her guidance I have learned to aim for more than I have ever dared to wish for, in other words, follow my dreams by overcoming the voices screaming „IMPOSSIBLE!“ every time I wanted to follow my inner calling. My business started to florish immediatelly after I chose to oppose them – I got my priorities right and allowed myself to make a plan on achieving them. This gave me the necessary self-confidence. Anna helped me open the door I was afraid even to touch and showed me how to use my own wisdom to lead me to my dreamt-off goal. I am a much happier and healthier person now than ever before. What a blessing to have met her!”
Marketa Steinerova, Edinburgh
“Beforehand I was very insecure and nervous about starting a small new business. After being coached by Anna, I felt inspired to ‘go for it’. I am now 100% sure that I can succeed and have the self-confidence to embark on it. I feel that ‘I can do it’. What I really liked was that we worked out concrete steps which Anna made me write down. I started on those steps straight away.”
Cornelie, Edinburgh
“I came to the coaching sessions wanting to explore a possible new career balanced against the demands of being a busy working mum. The sessions provided me with the space and time to explore my work and life goals, in a supportive and structured environment. As a group we looked at our issues, skills and opportunities and, with support from Anna and some imaginative questioning, formed new ideas and approaches which I found helped me move my 'dreams' further towards reality. The sessions were both relaxing and stimulating and I really looked forward to the space and structure they offered. Since then I have taken several small but significant steps towards the next chapter, and understand where I want to go and what I'm capable of. The sessions were definitely an important stepping stone for me.”
Joanna about the group coaching
“I particularly liked how you facilitated the group - especially the last session when we all spilled over with ideas and suggestions for self and others - holding direction without interrupting the natural flow - that is what good facilitation is about for me. Well done! It was also great to have weeks off in between the later sessions (after momentum had been created in the first 3 sessions) providing an opportunity to digest 'big issues'Thank you for your professional yet friendly and open-minded approach which set the tone and created a fertile ground for productive work.”
Claudia about the group coaching
“Anna Davis has been my mentor and coach for a number of years through face-to-face meetings, phone and email.
Her approach is always practical, yet motivating, trying to get me to achieve (and deal with) more than I think I can.
She has supported me in both my work environment and personal life and the many times that the two collide. Through her coaching Anna has helped me focus on what is important to me and allowed me to identify what I'm good at and what is most important to me as a person. This has helped me become more confident in my career as a management consultant making me drive my career rather than sit back and let the tide take me where it wants. She has also also helped me through hard times personally and helped me better balance my work-life with my role as a mother, wife, sister and friend.”
Sarah, New Zealand