Amanda, Financial Advisor, Coventry

Amanda had been doing a job that hadn't fulfilled her for a long time. She didn't know what she wanted to do next and was afraid to make a move. In a three-month programme, she discovered her purpose—to help disadvantaged children. She took the steps to hand in her notice and retrain to be a teacher.

"Before I had coaching with Simon I was feeling unfulfilled in my career. I was lacking any drive and knew this wasn’t the job I wanted to do anymore but couldn’t work out where to start on a new journey, it all felt too overwhelming and scary! This was having a negative impact on my well-being emotionally but also physically with me lacking motivation to do anything at all after work. I also felt that I was a bit of a negative person to be around, constantly moaning about work to my partner and friends and just generally devoid of fun.

The challenges I was facing were mainly a lack of self confidence to push myself to explore new options, but I hadn’t really worked that out yet. I’d made so many excuses about why I couldn’t change my career path, I’d backed myself into a corner.

I wanted to find a job which I enjoyed, which felt like it had purpose and could actually help people. I wanted to feel challenged, but in something which was more ‘me’. Off the back of this new found enthusiasm I felt that that this would make my personal relationships better by being a more positive presence, someone who is interesting and interested rather than consumed by own drudgery!

Simon supported me by making me think outside of the corner I had backed myself into. He made me challenge some of the beliefs I had which had clouded my ability to see any other options. Sometimes these were practical steps, looking at finances, making connections, research etc. Sometimes these were a deep look at my core beliefs and a change to the internal voice I had been listening to for such a long time. Various exercises helped me to explore my ‘true-self’ to consider careers which were more ‘me’, they highlighted challenges I had faced in the past and re-built my self-confidence and courage.

Throughout the journey, I learned that new doesn’t have to be negative! New is good and life is full of opportunities but the initial building blocks of self-belief need to be there and I feel that I have truly rediscovered this.

Now I feel so much more confident and capable to cope with stress, fear, and challenges. I feel so excited to start a new chapter in my life and use this new attitude and confidence in my personal life, taking on new hobbies, and focusing on my physical health again.

I am due to start a new career in September, which I’ve wanted to do for about 4 years now and finally I have the tools to make that change, thanks to Simon!"