HOW I FOUND MY PURPOSE WITH COACHING
There's something inherently fascinating about coaching. How can one person inspire another to walk on hot coals and come out of it celebrating the experience? It sounds like pure magic, right? Well, it might not be magic, but it's certainly a powerful art.
Ultimately I believe that life is all about adventure, lessons and connection and I’d like to share my personal story about how my discovery of coaching ticks all these boxes.
I opened my first e-commerce business with my great friend, Nina after having kids. Perhaps I've always loved the entrepreneurial life?After the arrival of my first child, I stood at a crucial crossroads. The corporate world had been my playground, but now, a yearning for something more profound nudged me. I decided to run a small e-commerce business with a close friend of mine as we both needed the flexibility that entrepreneurship life can provide while we raised our young families. It was new and fun working with a friend yet we both knew it was more of a side-hustle than a full-time gig.
A few years went by and then my friend decided to move to Bali. It was a big change, and I found myself in the position of running the business completely on my own. Looking back, I realised that deep down, I didn't want to let go of that business while I was still figuring out my career path. I didn’t want to accept that I didn’t have something to focus on outside of my family.
I found myself wandering through a thick fog of uncertainty. I was caught in a web of thoughts, feeling utterly lost and stuck and frustrated with the weighty question of which direction to go in.
The allure of returning to work full-time for a renowned multinational company seemed enticing and I even went through rounds of interviews to head up their Events division. But deep down, there was a flicker of doubt if this was what I really wanted to do.
I decided not to waste anymore time swirling in my own cloudy thoughts and sought help from a coach.
You’ve Got This - Dr. Margie WarrellTHE MAGIC OF COACHING
Coaches may not be magicians, but wizards in their own right. Along with their guidance, I hoped to unravel my answers to all the questions I had brewing in my mind. Alongside a motivational audiobook by Dr. Margie Warrell (You’ve Got This) and the untimely passing of a dear friend, these pivotal moments played a vital role in reshaping my perception about what was possible for me, and most importantly, my potential within it.
Through thought-provoking questions and powerful insights, my coach helped me dig deep and unearth the clarity I had been craving. I realised that there was nothing missing from my life per se, I just needed to expand my perspective and make bigger, bolder choices for myself.
Coaches are like torchbearers in the dark, illuminating the path forward. They're not magicians, but their impact feels magical. Their guidance is a catalyst for transformation, propelling you beyond the limits you've set for yourself. Through their wisdom and insight, they empower you to perceive the world in a new light, igniting a fire within to strive for your best self.
It didn’t take long into my coaching that I started the journey of greater self-discovery and the immense power of a positive mindset. It was akin to cleaning the attic of my thoughts, discarding the cobwebs of self-doubt, and throwing open the windows of clarity. The coaches generously shared tips that helped me focus on my strengths, values, and interests, and offered different perspectives. Slowly but surely, a clearer path toward my purpose and direction began to materialise.
Through coaching, I also learned tools to tame the chaos of my mind and cultivate a positive mindset. It was about sifting through the clutter of negative thoughts, beliefs, and perceptions, and embracing a perspective that fueled growth and self-belief.
THE START OF A NEW ADVENTURE, LESSONS AND CONNECTION WITH SELF AND OTHERS
Fueled by my passion for events and connecting with people, a vision was born. I wanted to help simplify the overwhelm that it takes to find the right-fit coach, which is essential to creating great results.
It was a moment of pure revelation when AF Coaching Network (formerly known as The Power Within) came to life, bringing together the threads of my own personal journey through the corporate world, entrepreneurship, and self-discovery. The network is a pool of coaches, mentors, motivational speakers, and knowledge experts, all united by the belief that everything we need is within us; we just need the right guidance to unlock it.
When I started hearing the stories of transformation and personal growth that have emerged through AF Coaching Network, it left me awestruck and humbled. Witnessing individuals break free from self-doubt, stepping into their power, and embracing their new rewritten journeys has been an honour beyond words. I had found what I was yearning for - work with purpose, joy and fulfilment.
OVERCOMING IMPOSTER SYNDROME
During this time when I was running the network, whenever someone would ask, "Are you a coach?", and my automatic response would echo with self-doubt, "No, no, no. I'm not."
Deep down, I had told myself that I couldn't measure up to the remarkable coaches that I partnered with in the AFC Network. The fear of not being enough clawed at my confidence and held me back from giving it a shot.
Yet upon reflection, I realised I never gave myself permission to dream that I could be a coach. I never had the guts myself “Why not?”
I was the only one putting pressure on myself and telling myself that I would never be as good as the other coaches, when in fact, I could train up and practise, just like every how every other coach started out.
“Every expert was a beginner once upon a time.”
To rise above my self-doubt I signed up for my first coaching certification as an Organisational Coach with Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership, and I recognised how much I loved to coach. Coaching individuals on their path to finding clarity, direction, and unwavering confidence in their choices became my new passion.
I found the courage to stand tall, knowing that my unique perspective and experiences held immeasurable value for those I would guide.
I had to remind myself that coaching is not a one-size-fits-all approach and that there would be someone out there who would be the right fit for my style of coaching who I could help with their own self-discovery and advancement journey.
MY LOVE FOR LEARNING
For two years, I immersed myself in the world of coaching, thirsting for knowledge, honing my skills, and embracing every opportunity to learn and evolve. I sought wisdom from master coaches and world-recognised academies, gaining not one, but five certifications that enriched my understanding of this beautiful craft and when I finally passed my ICF exam, I knew that I had not only passed, but I had triumphed over my own self-doubt and took another courage step to opening my own coaching arm of the business offering Clarity & Leadership Coaching, to individuals and business owners seeking to understand and get clear on their next steps in the work, life or business.
Gaining my NLP Master Practitioner Certification in Sydney with Heidi Heron, Master CoachLessons I’ve learnt so far on this journey:
Be curious as to what’s possible
If you notice yourself putting a barrier to an opportunity, that’s a barrier worth exploring
Always be open to learning
Listen to your heart, head and gut. When the voices all align, you know you’re onto something big
So this was my journey and the wonderful myriad of benefits of coaching that has profoundly impacted my life.
As you embark on your own journey of personal and professional growth, I invite you to consider the power of creating a business that is not only financially successful but spiritually rewarding as well. What drives your soul? What sets your heart on fire?
In the pursuit of your dreams, remember that true success is found in listening to yourself, aligning your actions with your values and making a positive impact in the lives of others.