Wednesday 13 December 2017

Are you in the right career?

If you have a feeling or even a pattern of thoughts about being in  the wrong career then this blog is for you.

In my experience the most typical reason for your thoughts and/or feelings is due to the lack of congruence between your values and those of the work that you are doing. You may interpret this as a lack of job satisfaction or not enjoying your work content.

Just now I was talking to a client on an initial complimentary call to discuss her career needs now. This individual soon alerted herself to her 'family values' background and how these were at odds with her current 'sales' focused role. We are going to be working on identifying her work values as part of a career transition diagnostic that starts with a blank sheet of paper!

What are your values? What is important to you at work and in life? Remember that you bring your whole self to work so whole life values will impact your work and what you think and/or feel about it.

I suggest that you start by reflecting on your values. If you require help with this or any other career support please get in touch on 01761 237400 or through enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk

Tuesday 21 November 2017

Outplacement Coaching

If you are facing redundancy from your organisation then this short post may be of interest to you.

It is worth your while I think to initiate a conversation with your Human Resources representative about outplacement coaching even if there is no policy in place on this. You can but ask...

Many organisations have some budget for outplacement coaching for staff that are made redundant.

Outplacement coaching gives you the opportunity to work with an outplacement career coach to move into a new work role. This can be a time when you need extra support to work on a number of things from your confidence to your CV to preparing for interviews.

Here at West of England Coaching and Counselling we provide tailored packages to meet your budget and coaching needs so that you feel confident and take the right steps to move forwards in your career.

If you are or think you may be facing redundancy some time soon, do have that conversation and put yourself in the driving seat of your career.

If you have any questions or would like to book a complimentary initial meeting please get in touch via 01761 237400 or enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk


Tuesday 26 September 2017

Coaching to improve your Communication

If you recognise that you could improve your communications with your colleagues then this blog may be of use to you.

We often acknowledge that communication is the key to success in our personal relationships and especially where we are cohabiting.

In fact communication is key to our success in life as a whole and that includes our working relationships.

On one large project in my work as a management consultant my role was entirely to manage the communications aspects, which demonstrates just how important communication is in the workplace.

Many medium-large organisations have heads of communications that manage this business critical success factor internally and externally.

Who are your key stakeholders? Who are the key people that you interact with regularly? Who could you improve your communications with?

The starting point is to identify who your key work colleagues are and why. Next prioritise who you need or want to have a conversation with and why.

For example, you may need to make your line manager aware of a problem that has been on your mind for some time. I think that if you plan what you want to say and think about what they can do to support you, this may help you to book time and feel better one you have bitten the bullet.

Whatever communication need you have in mind at work, it is best to think why you have that need, what you want and how things could be better once you have had the conversation. Also think about when and where as timing for the other person and a private location are important to a good result.

Most of my business coaching clients come with a communication scenario to discuss that involves a work colleague. To feel good at work the quality of your working relationships is an imperative.

If there is a work relationship that you want to improve and would like some help, please get in touch. We would be happy to hear from you on
01761 237400 or
enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk

Tuesday 12 September 2017

Career Change and Fear of Failure

If you are fearful of career change even though you want this please read on.

Fear of failure is one of the most common irrational fears known to human beings.

What to do about it?

when you catch yourself being pessimistic, negative, look at your beliefs driving this and dispute them comprehensively to change how you explain the way the world works to yourself. It is the same with not feeling 'good enough'.

Ah, you say back, 'but I have failed before'. With some optimism on your part failures do not have to feel like failures. Rather they can be framed as learning experiences.

People that you and I deem to be very successful like Steve Jobs or Richard Branson for example, often talk about having failed a lot in their lives and only succeeding after major setbacks. I like one definition of an expert - 'someone who has made more mistakes than others'.

Persevere in the face of setbacks with your career wants as with other wants in your life.

Ask yourself if you had a short time to live who you want to be. Do you want to be your real self or live your life defined by fear of changing careers?

Speak to yourself kindly and consider what could go right for you as well as the skills that you would bring to bear on your desired career.

It is worth remembering that when we are passionate about what we do, at work and play, we often excel.

Go for it!

If you would like support on your career journey please get in  touch on 01761 237400 or via e mail enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk

Friday 11 August 2017

Career Change Procrastination

If you are often telling yourself that you want to change careers but never do, please read on.

You could be a career change procrastinator creating your own barriers to finding your fulfilling career.

In this blog I provide three key tips for overcoming some of the procrastinating thinking.

1. You may believe that a fulfilling career is not out there for you. The truth is that we all have certain gifts, skills and talents. With the right mind set, tools and support, you can achieve it. I suggest that you start by doing some self-development around believing in yourself and asking people who know you well what they see as your gifts, skills and talents. Ask them for some specific examples of these in terms of what you have done that they have observed and record their comments. Update your CV with your 3 key skills.

2. You may be putting off finding a fulfilling career because sometimes your work day is not so bad and 'they pay me well'. I would like to remind you that doing work that fulfils you will provide you with rewards other than money. You may find that setting and adhering to a budget due to a lower salary is of little sacrifice.

3. You may be saying for one reason or another that 'now is not the right time'. My clients tell me that they have never found the right time to change careers. They took action because there is no right time and life is short...

I sincerely hope that you move forwards in your career journey.
If you would like my support, please get in touch with me by e mail, pam@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk

Tuesday 25 July 2017

Would you benefit from coaching?

If you are wondering whether professional coaching could help you to move forwards in your career perhaps more quickly than you are currently this blog is for you.

Like any investment of time and money I think it best that you consider the benefits of coaching to you before embarking on a series of coaching sessions or coaching programme.

I have developed a 10 point checklist for you to work through to this end. If you answer no to 2 or more of these statements then you will need to make adjustments for the coaching to be effective.

1. There is a gap between where I am and where I want to be

2. I have some time to invest in myself

3. I can keep appointments with myself to work with my coach and on homework

4. I am willing to do they work required to get me to where I want to be

5. I am willing to change or stop any limiting beliefs and self defeating behaviours that limit my performance and results

6. I am willing to give new things ago even if I am not convinced that they will work

7. Coaching is the appropriate intervention for the changes that I want to make

8. I have the patience to take consistent action towards my goals and drive for results

9. I have the desire to continually improve my performance

10. I have the support I need to make significant changes.

If you answered yes to 9 or all 10 questions and would like to discuss coaching benefits and approach, please get in touch via 01761 237400 or e mail pam@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk

Wednesday 19 July 2017

Building your self-esteem

If you are someone who wants to build your self esteem then you are not alone.

Most of us can identify times in our lives when we have felt low self-esteem and confidence.

Whilst confidence is contextual, I think that we can say that when life is going well we feel confident even though there will of course be contexts where we are not. When life hits us hard our overall feeling of confidence often drops too.

I think that self-esteem is somewhat different. This is how we feel about ourselves often regardless of how our life is going. This might stem from childhood experiences and memories when we were told we were not good enough or were hopeless at some things. In youth we are highly emotionally imprintable so we believe what we hear and carry this with us often into adulthood.

So how do you go about building your self-esteem? Here are my ten short top tips for you.

1. Have 'good enough' thoughts about yourself, avoiding the drive to be perfect that's impossible.
2. Help and support others, always aiming to do the right thing.
3. Do daily self-esteem habits, namely eat healthily (low sugar!), exercise and sleep well.
4. Remind yourself why? For health and happiness.
5. Ask people you care about what you are good at and note these down in a journal.
6. Write 3 things in your journal each day that you did well
7. Think about 'failures' as learning
8. Set small goals to achieve each week or month
9. Spend most of your time with supportive people and ask for what you need from them.
10. Remember that comparing yourself with others is the death of joy.

Often self-esteem issues rooted in our past can be hard to shift. Research shows that hypnotherapy can be effective in resolving subconscious dysfunctions such as low self esteem that are holding us back. If you would like help in this area please get in touch by e mailing me: pam@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk





Tuesday 11 July 2017

Your Career Mindset

If you are wanting to transition careers or even improve your career prospects in your current role please read on.

Looking back at my school years I realised that school success was as much if not more about mental strength as it was about learning and remembering for exams. I remember one friend who worked hard at school but was so worried about exams she left school with no qualifications.

I think that I will go as far as saying that for me mental strength including qualities such as assertive, confident, calm and positive, is key to success at school and at work and ultimately drives individual happiness.

What I am suggesting is that to progress in your career, whether into something new or improve in your current role or to be promoted, you really need to work on your psychology. Some might call this character or attitude or personality.

What I have found is that mental strength must become a daily habit reinforced by certain contributory daily habits such as eating healthily most of the time, doing some exercise and getting the right amount of sleep for you.

I also find that daily affirmations work well such as 'just for today I will remember that I have mind strength and focus'. Repeating such affirmations first thing to yourself or aloud alone or with others helps set you up for the day. You will more likely do those actions that you identify as needed to move careers or up skill in your current career, for example. Compare that with 'I will do something tomorrow'. Let me remind you that neuroscience tells us that what we focus on now, today, is what we get.

Let me know how you get on. If you would like help in your quest, please contact me through
01761 237400 or by e mail, enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk.

Wednesday 21 June 2017

Become a High Performing Individual whatever your career

How would you feel if you knew that you are working you way towards being your best self?

Happy, right? Perhaps the most cited life goal by most of us.

For me, like a lot of you out there, being my best self and being happy is good for me and others because I have the optimal resources to help me and others.

So how do I become the best version of myself, I hear you ask.

We can provide a complicated answer to this question or a simple answer. The simple answer is the starting point that will lead you on to all the other things that you do as a result of this simple trigger. And by doing all of those things gradually you will be walking through life building on the best version of yourself.

The simple answer is to develop your confidence. Your confidence is directly linked to what you tell yourself, what thoughts you pay attention to, what thoughts you choose to invest in.

So, if you tell yourself negative stuff like 'I feel anxious...worried...fed up' then that is how we are going to feel. Those unwanted negative thoughts and feelings generate unwanted emotional and physical responses in our bodies. Ultimately the result is a negative impact on what we do, such as moaning to a friend.

Whereas if you tell yourself that 'I am going to feel calm, relaxed and in control of myself and my life' then that is how you are going to feel. Ultimately by focusing on this affirmation/mantra in the now each and every day, you will begin to notice and enjoy the positive changes in your life.

For example, you may find yourself dealing with problems better, taking up an enjoyable hobby or achieving better results at work.

Try it for yourself and let me know how you get on via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk

Thursday 8 June 2017

Career Transition Blog

If you are considering changing your career somewhat or radically then this blog is for you.

I would like to invite you to take 5 manageable steps to kick start your career transition.

I invite you to consider your thinking on changing your career as a hopeful opportunity rather than something to fear. This alone will help you to take the first steps on your career transition journey.

What would I recommend that you do next?

1. Make a true assessment of what you are good at. My tip here is to ask people that know you well, to include work colleagues and people in your personal life.

2. Fit what you are good at to possible careers. Use google, careers sites, ask others and use your own knowledge.

3. List your achievements that you can use in the future career options.

4. Step out of your comfort zone and move into the learning zone. Research the career options that come up at 2.

5. Take one step a day towards your new career. For example the first step may be to hone in on 2-3 career options. The second step may be to assess the 2-3 options against what is important to you, For example you may rule out a career with high travel requirements/a long commute due to your health.

My role as a coach is to provide you with my full attention, to ask you powerful questions to help to raise your self belief and achieve the outcomes that you want. We will clarify your direction, help you to overcome obstacles, raise your motivation and achieve your action plan.

If you would like help and support in moving your career dream to a reality or if you would like help in deciding what that career might be, please get in touch via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingndcounselling.co.uk or call 01761 237400.

Friday 27 January 2017

Career Development

Are you thinking about reviewing where you are with your career and wanting to develop it?
If you are then please do read on.

Early in the year is a good time psychologically to do a  career review. For your own learning and growth as well as to achieve progress in certain areas such as financial, are often good drivers.

How do you go about this?

I provide one tried and tested approach here.

Step 1: Brainstorm your key achievements over the last 18-24 months. Did you set career objectives and to what extent did you achieve those?

Step 2: What are your insights and learnings from these achievements?

Step 3: Have you been focused on the right things over the last 18-24 months in order to achieve your career goals and objectives?

Step 4: What is outstanding from previous objectives set? Perhaps develop an action plan with resources required and timescales to complete these.

Step 5: What are your current goal and career objectives? What is driving these?

Step 6: Develop a plan for the next 18-24 months for your career including actions, resources and timescales.

This 6 step career development review approach will help you to clarify your career direction ad provide you with some motivation and stricture to make it happen.

If you would like help and support on your career development journey please contact us on 01761 237400 or write to us at enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk or fill in the contact us form on our website www.westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk