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Posted 3 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
What an amazing journey The Coaching Academy has taken me on! My initial interest was in taking the NLP Practitioner course and with an abundance of NLP providers in the market place. I was delighted to come across a Free 2-day Foundation in Life Coaching Course with The Coaching Academy which I attended in February 2016.
Posted 3 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Was there a time when you once said, 'one day I am going to ….…’ and then didn’t get round to do whatever it was you said you were going to? Maybe that day has now come; when we set ourselves goals we face an interesting dilemma: do we make the goal small that it can be easily achieved or do we make it so large that it feels too big to conquer? When facing a career or lifestyle crossroads, there are numerous things to consider.
Posted 10 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
My self-development journey has taken me full circle through a career as a veterinary surgeon, programme manager and management consultant and back again. My first experience of coaching was on the Leadership Programme for one of the Big 4 consultancy companies. I was writing my business case for promotion and through the coaching process, I realised that whilst it was a great job that paid well, it didn’t fit in with my personal values. I wasn’t desperately unhappy, but something just wasn’t right. I ended up writing my business case to leave the firm and return to vetting, taking a considerable salary cut but doing something I loved.
Posted 10 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Have you ever noticed how conversation just seems to flow when two people are in rapport? Their bodies as well as their words match each other. Just watch a couple in a restaurant or friends meeting in a pub, they dance the dance of rapport! Picking up their glasses in unison, matching each other’s body language and speaking styles - is all part of the dance!
Posted 17 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
We recently caught up with The Coaching Academy Graduate Nazma Kabir, who had the privilege to work with Mother Theresa at the age of 17, for a Q&A session for this week 's Coach in The Spotlight. We hope you enjoy it...
Posted 17 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Your procrastination habits may seem to be very deep rooted and, indeed, they probably are. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be changed. Forget everything you have ever been told about laziness, tardiness, lack of application and short attention span; procrastination is about how we think. More specifically, it is about how we allow certain thoughts to morph into beliefs. If we are serial procrastinators then we will have some underlying beliefs that are getting in the way of action.
Posted 24 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
My story began on a train journey a few years ago. I had been studying self-help and development all of my adult life, and because of my friendly curious nature, people tended to open up to me and would like to talk through their problems and concerns. This evening was no different, a friend of mine was having a difficult time at work and was considering handing in his notice. We talked through all of the angles and I reassured him that whatever he decided, it would all work out in the end. Then something unexpected happened - Just as he was getting up to leave he turned and said, "You would be a great life coach." It was like a bolt of lightning had just hit me! I didn't even know exactly what a life coach was, but something told me that this conversation was meant to happen and I had to do something about it.
Posted 24 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Do you ever feel that you are not fulfilling your true potential? Are there things about your lifestyle, choices or experience that may be holding you back? Our environment is made up of surroundings and influences that are familiar to us. It is the place where we can be ourselves without really trying. It is also made up of our thoughts and behaviours – the habits of daily life.
Posted 31 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Whenever someone asks how you are, how do you reply? “I’m great!”, “I’m fab, thanks!” or something else equally as positive and enthusiastic? Or is it more often the case that you reply with “I’m ok”, “I’m getting there”, or “Not bad”? If we’re being honest with ourselves, many of us tend towards the latter. Why? Because we’re settling for lives that are less happy than they could be.
Posted 31 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
My journey started about a year ago when I stumbled across a free 2-Day sample about coaching on Facebook. I signed up and it was at that taster session that I knew it-was-for-me.
Posted 38 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
I sensed the excitement as I walked into the room of the TCA’s free 2-Day event in March 2016. I sat down next to a lovely lady who introduced herself and we immediately formed a friendship, which endured as we supported each other through our coaching qualification.
Posted 38 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
We often hear people claim that they “don’t believe in having regrets”. Yet, whether they care to admit it or not, absolutely everyone has to deal with regrets at various points in their lives. Regrets come in an infinite number of shapes and sizes, from minor ones, like making an error at work, to big, life-changing regrets - such as not taking a job, or moving somewhere new, or ending a relationship.
Posted 45 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
How many times on average does someone attempt a goal before giving up? Would you guess – one, two or three? The real answer is less than one. Many people give up before they even try. “Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.” Lao Tzu
Posted 45 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
It was one day in late 2015, when I had a moment of realisation: even though, through my role as a manager, I had spent lots of time and energy encouraging others to develop themselves, my own development had been static for too long. In essence, I was not acting on my own advice. It was at this point that I decided that I needed to move forward, and that it was finally time to address my own personal development!
Posted 52 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Self-management of your emotional state is the act of taking responsibility for your emotions. It is a fact that your emotions can affect your decision-making process and behaviour. Therefore, the ability to be more aware of your emotions and actually taking responsibility for controlling them can help you to be more effective, productive and successful in keeping your goals in sight.
Posted 52 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
My journey to becoming a qualified coach with The Coaching Academy may be slightly unusual as I am the CEO of an accountancy practice, Sleigh & Story, employing 10 people in the UK and about to double that overseas. I started my business in my back bedroom 12 years ago with no clients. I now have over 400 clients and have an annual turnover of more than half a million pounds with six figure earnings.
Posted 59 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
When I am coaching, I like to take my clients backwards and then forwards to their future. I invite them to enter a virtual time machine: my coaching 'Tardis' if you like – and I first invite them to seize the controls and take it back 10 years.
Posted 59 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
So there I was - fed up and frustrated with work and heading towards fifty.
Posted 66 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
This time last year, I was nearly qualified as an NLP Practitioner and had just started my journey to qualifying as a Personal Performance Coach with The Coaching Academy. Today, I have my own coaching business with a rewarding career helping my clients to improve and fulfil their lives. Sometimes, it’s hard to believe that was just 12 months ago, especially when I was then still managing anxiety challenges, didn’t really know what I was doing or how I was going to get there.
Posted 66 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
The comfort zone may feel safe and familiar and as a result it can be easy to get stuck there. However, when you want to make changes in your life there comes a time where you'll need to be brave enough to step out of the comfort zone and into your stretch zone where you can grow.
Posted 73 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Why do some people have more self-belief than others? Why do some people 'get on with it', while others prevaricate? Is self-belief innate within us, or is it a skill that can be learned?
Posted 73 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Wouldn’t it be great to be able to look at this DISC graph and give your client feedback so accurately that they pause for a moment before they look at you and say, “How could you possibly know that about me from those little dots on a graph?”
Posted 73 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
The lifeblood for so many successful individuals is to have a goal-setting strategy. It’s essential for them to know where they are going in order to know where to start.
Posted 73 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
My story with The Coaching Academy started when I went to London in December 2013 and signed up for The Academy’s free 2-day Foundation in Life Coaching Course. I was amazed at how well organised the course was: the teachers, the infrastructure and the materials they gave us. All this care contributed to my first very good impression of the academy. Not to mention the fact that serving as a catalyst for people’s progress - one of the first things Kris Robertson said at that event - totally caught my attention. It was love at first sight!
Posted 80 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
I first 'stumbled’ upon The Coaching Academy when their 2-Day Foundation in Life Coaching course details popped up on Linked In. I signed up thinking it might be an interesting couple of days. Those 2 days have changed my life!
Posted 80 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Do you find yourself setting out to do one task and ending up completing something else? Do you sometimes have so many ideas on the go, but are unsure which to choose first? Or perhaps the passion for the task has faded and you are spending time dreaming up new plans, but are unsure which to run with…
Posted 80 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Rapport is defined by "a close and harmonious relationship, in which the people or groups concerned understand each other’s feelings or ideas and communicate well".
Posted 87 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
My coaching journey began with The Coaching Academy’s free 2-day event back in 2015. These 2-days truly gave me the confidence to move on and enrol on the Personal Coaching Diploma course as they gave me an insight into what I would be doing and how the things I would be learning could help improve my personal skills and career goals.
Posted 87 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Whether it’s completing a project or everyday chores or finishing off something at work, most people are prone to procrastination – even the most productive among us. To be fair, it’s an easy pit to fall into because at the time, it feels so blissful to postpone undesirable responsibilities in favour of doing something more enjoyable instead. Or does it?
Posted 87 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Success, in any event, is made up of a collection of smaller events built on top of one another. Success, is not, like some people think - LUCK! Through research, life experiences, trial and error, I have found six crucial building blocks that when used can lead to success.
Posted 94 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
The power of our beliefs system is immense. If we all developed an understanding of the thoughts and ideas that we automatically have, those that we no longer question when they appear at the forefront of our minds; then we could all be leading a better life through banishing the negative chatter.
Posted 94 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Experiencing workplace stress rarely turns out well but Carmen MacDougall says it was the best thing that ever happened to her. Through it, she discovered coaching which has turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it led her to a new business and ultimately, to the development of a very successful coaching niche.
Posted 94 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
I have worked in sales and business development for many years and a large part of my role was in building and developing sales teams. I was responsible for training and mentoring sales consultants, many of whom had little or no sales experience. I found the biggest factor that hindered their success was a lack of confidence. The most satisfying part of my role was helping others feel more confident and motivated. I helped them to set goals and fulfill their plans.
Posted 101 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Confidence is a key ingredient to success in sport, business and life. There is a big difference between confidence and arrogance. In my opinion arrogance can be a way of compensating for lack of confidence.
Posted 101 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
One of the greatest challenges we all face is managing our own internal emotional state, especially in difficult situations. How do you deal with challenges? Do you like your friends to console you? Do you feel the boil of anger rise followed by a verbal or physical outburst or do you throw yourself head first into activity to stop you from thinking about the demanding situation? If you want to manage your state and perform effectively then read on...
Posted 101 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
I discovered coaching at a particularly challenging time in my life, which later, during my training with The Coaching Academy on Personal Performance Diploma, I found was not unusual. Like many others, I indulged my new passion by buying a number of coaching books from the internet. They all duly arrived through my letter box and I set about reading them.
Posted 108 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Talk to most people about the power of manifesting desires and their eyes will just glaze over. It will be apparent they are totally closed to the idea, some may argue, particularly those in western cultures. The mere possibility that your unconscious mind can have the power to deliver real physical things, to them seems absurd. And yet even the science of quantum physics, is now accepting that “reality” is not quite what they originally thought.
Posted 108 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Does your environment ever challenge how good you feel? Could you benefit from having a secret weapon in the fight against negativity in the world? How would you like to be able to control your state in any situation? It is possible to manage your thoughts and feelings no matter what is happening in your environment; this is the power of NLP. Here are some simple steps for using NLP in everyday life.
Posted 108 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
It’s a big leap of faith and not a little bit scary to decide to step away from the more financially secure world of education to one of uncertainty and volatility that is self-employment. But I did just that in 1989.
Posted 114 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Everyone has the same 24 hours in a day, so why is it that successful people are able to achieve so much, when many others are left struggling to complete a few tasks. As children, most of us would have learnt to tell the time by the age of nine but we may spend a lifetime trying to master it.
Posted 114 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Can you think of a time when you set yourself a goal, or wanted to achieve something, but for whatever reason, you didn’t succeed? Maybe you have a goal right now - an idea about what you might want to do, to achieve or to be, which you haven’t managed to achieve?
Posted 114 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Do you know what got me into coaching? It was having the experience of some great coaching for myself. And also - I must say - some bad coaching!
Posted 122 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
NLP or Neuro Linguistic Programming is an incredibly powerful approach to communication and personal development. Learning NLP techniques gives you greater control over your ability to be at your best more often. You will be able to effectively manage your thoughts and feelings no matter what is happening in your environment to affect you!
Posted 122 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
It’s been almost two years since I started my Coaching Journey with The Coaching Academy, and here I stand, transformed.
Posted 122 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Coaching was totally instrumental in me starting, continuing and finishing my book 'The Buddha in Me, the Buddha in You’, a handbook for happiness.
Posted 129 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Training with The Coaching Academy was the start of following my passion and finally achieving one of my goals of becoming a published author.
Posted 129 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
A must for Business Coaches to read : Part 4 - Managing the C-Style Manager
Posted 129 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Keeping a journal is something people have done since ancient times – and for good reasons. Journals serve a variety of purposes, from simply recording our thoughts and feelings, to being a personal outlet when we need one. They also offer a reminder of where we’ve been and what we’ve achieved, and can function as mission statements for where we want to go. While some people associate hard copy journals with troubled teenagers, they couldn’t be more wrong: journals are excellent tools for anyone who’s mindful of themselves, and of their life.
Posted 136 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
This week, TCA’s Coaching Academy Author Series, Part 4 continues with Ro Gorell’s short article, where the author reveals her journey to writing her own book 'Group Coaching’…
Posted 136 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
A must for Business Coaches to read : Part 3 - Managing the S-Style Manager
Posted 136 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
I made the decision at the start of 2016 that I wanted to change my career. Specifically, I realised that I no longer wanted to work for somebody else. Having left my previous job as Operations Director for a sports company, I started working for a friend’s company as a project manager on a freelance basis. I soon liked the freedom and creativity that came from my freelance work.
Posted 142 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
We are delighted to invite you to attend a brief webinar introducing our Business Coaching Taster Day!
Posted 143 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
TCA’s Coaching Academy Author Series, Part 3 this week continues with Rasheed Ogunlaru’s short article, where the author reveals the inspiration for his book 'Soul Trader’...
Posted 143 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
A must for Business Coaches to read : Part 2 - Managing the I-Style Manager
Posted 143 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Like many people I know, Spring is my favourite time of year. It’s a time of renewed hope and motivation as the days get longer, the mornings get brighter and the emerging buds signal the beginning of the end of winter.
Posted 143 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
We recently caught up with Coaching Academy Graduate Hamid Safaei for a Q&A session for this week 's Coach in The Spotlight. We hope you enjoy it...
Posted 151 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
A must for Business Coaches to read : Part 1 - Managing the D-Style Manager
Posted 151 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
The topic of personal growth really resonates with me because as a coach I want to be congruent when coaching others, either individually or in groups. If I am asking my client to step outside their comfort zone, I too want to experience what that is like. The coaching relationship is co-created: your coaching identity grows as your client learns and grows.
Posted 151 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
This week, TCA’s 'Coaching Academy Author Series' continues with a short article from Samantha Babington, where the author reveals what inspired her to write her book 'Serendipity’s Secret'...
Posted 151 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Wednesday 12th January 2016 was a grey, cloudy, cold and damp day. As I entered the Copthorne Hotel in Birmingham, about to embark on The Coaching Academy’s free 2-Day Foundation in Life Coaching event, my heart was pounding with both nerves and excitement. As I approached the building, I reminded myself of all the good reasons why I came to be here, remembering the many times when I had considered becoming a coach, only to talk myself out of it.
Posted 157 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
To begin our 6-Part 'Coaching Academy Author Series’, we asked TCA’s very own CEO Bev James to share a few words about how Coaching influenced her best-selling book DO IT! OR DITCH IT…
Posted 157 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
The Easter break has always been a great opportunity for me to pause, take stock and look ahead. It’s a time synonymous with spring cleaning and fresh thinking. It’s also a powerful time to connect with three important things: Space, Simplicity and Creativity.
Posted 172 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
When I found out I'd won the award for NLP coach of the year I was overawed and very grateful. It was great recognition for both myself and all the clients I have served so far, as well as testimony to the power of coaching and NLP.
Posted 172 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Most people never give themselves the opportunity to step back and see where they are in life. Like an artist stepping back from his easel, it’s a fundamental part of assessing how far you’ve come, and where you want to go.
Posted 178 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Like every other animal on the planet, humans are creatures of habit. Habit creeps into every aspect of our lives, from eating the same meals every night and going to the same bars every weekend, to jetting off on the same types of holiday every year. We sometimes think we've got the monopoly on what pleases us, and so replicate those experiences again, and again, and again, until they become routine. Consequently, we feel safe and comfortable, and perhaps content, but not necessarily fulfilled.
Posted 178 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
My journey into Coaching and raising the bar!
I have worked for a decade within the Corporate firms of the Financial, Management Consulting and Accounting verticals. I have enjoyed the sense of accomplishment that comes from solving problems. I strongly believe that for someone to succeed they need to train their body, mind and spirit to achieve success. I consider them as the three pillars of success. The edifice will not stand in my opinion if any one of them are weak...
Posted 185 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
We recently got the chance to catch up with Life Coach of the Year 2016 - David Hare for a quick Q&A for this weeks 'Coach in the Spotlight. We hope you enjoy...
Posted 185 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Recently, I've noticed there is a word that keeps coming up in the world of personal development. That word is 'Purpose'. But what does this word really mean and if we do know what it means, how do we find it? As a coach, these are two of the questions I most frequently get asked.
Posted 192 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
When I started my coaching journey with The Coaching Academy 5 years ago, little did I know just how much my life would change let alone those lives around me. In the words of Michael Jackson: "I'm starting with the man in the mirror, I'm asking him to change his ways and no message could have been any clearer, if you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make that change".
Posted 192 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
With our Coaching Within Education accelerator week coming soon, we asked Coaching Academy graduate Sharon Lawton to share with us what it's like to work in this booming sector.
Posted 198 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
As today is International Women’s Day, I feel this is a great time to reflect and honour some of the greatest female figures in modern history who have changed the world and fought against all odds to achieve amazing feats.
Posted 199 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
There are many thoughts and ideas around how and where coaching can and does fit into education and those involved. Many wonder whether there is a need and/or whether it 'pays'. Here is what I have done with it, this is an area I am passionate about; it is a huge privilege to work with these inspiring people (and I have been financially rewarded too!).
Posted 199 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Everyone makes mistakes and the busier you are, the more mistakes you can make. The only question is "How well and how effectively do you deal with the inevitable ups and downs of life?". In this article you learn the difference between a positive and negative worldview. You learn how to benefit from your mistakes and how to remain positive in the face of adversity.
Posted 206 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
How it all began? A casual conversation over coffee with a friend first got me thinking about learning to be a coach. My friend thought I would be good but advised me to get a 'proper' coaching qualification.
Posted 206 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
I am a coach... I am also a mindfulness practitioner... Whilst those two elements to my life compliment each other beautifully, there is an inherent conflict that I found myself learning to manage over the years.
Posted 213 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
At the International Coaching Awards 2016, multi-award winner, Rita Chowdhry was crowned Small Business Coach of the Year following her accolade of Best Newcomer in 2015. What a 2 years it has been for this talented coach who continues to go from strength to strength!
Posted 213 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
When times get tough and you are faced with any of life's complicated problems it can be hard to stay motivated... How do you stay motivated and keep your cool when things are going badly around you?
Posted 220 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Meet our Coaching For A Cause Winner from the 2016 International Coaching Awards, Meg Batch! Meg works for an organisation called Active Plus, who utilise the skills and abilities of wounded, injured and sick (WIS) military veterans to help people in need in the community.
Posted 220 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
As someone who is committed to making a positive and lasting difference myself, the topic of making a change and leaving your mark is one close to my heart. Being a change maker isn't limited to a special handful of people; we can all go out and make a difference in our own special way. Having had the pleasure of working alongside so many fantastic Coaches and Trainers over the years I've noticed some common behaviours that have assisted them in leaving their dent in the universe.
Posted 227 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
I love surprises. Some people prefer predictability and consistency, but I thrive on not knowing what's going to happen next. In coaching, the best surprise comes when you ask questions with genuine interest and no hidden agenda, to see what will happen. Both you and the client can be surprised by what comes out as the answer, and it can take the coaching session - and the client's life - in a totally new direction.
Posted 227 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Last year, on 10th December 2016, The Coaching Academy hosted its annual Awards Ceremony to celebrate coaching success and some of the formidable coaches working in our industry! Christelle Maignan was the well-deserved winner of International Coach of the Year. Christelle has been spreading the coaching message amongst the translation industry with her work specialising in coaching freelance translators and interpreters. Here's her winner's Q&A.
Posted 234 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
As many of these stories start, I wasn't in a great place and knew I needed to make a change... but what was the change to be? I held a senior marketing position in a global company and had a successful marketing career of 20 years but couldn't see a clear way out. All I knew was that I needed to get off the treadmill, take back control of my life and start living the life that I wanted - helping people.
Posted 234 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
I began coaching as a student of The Coaching Academy in 2014. I knew from the 2 day programme that this was for me - I wanted to be the best coach I could be.
Posted 241 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Business has dramatically changed from what it once was 20 years ago and in today's digital age it has never been more important for a Coach and their coaching business to have an online presence.
Posted 241 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
My name's Sue and I'm a Glasgow based Life and Business Coach at Life Coaching Solutions. My story is a real one and I hope that not only do you enjoy reading it but also come away perhaps with a sense of everything that's possible if you follow your heart, put people at the centre of what you do and see coaching as an inspiring and exciting way forward.
Posted 248 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
I just love coaching. The positive results are so exciting and fulfilling. But how did I get here? I worked in the public and private sectors for 16 years on strategy & policy, performance, research, regulation and organisational development. I couldn't climb the promotion ladder fast enough.
Posted 248 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
A top tip for success in 2017 is to surround yourself with the right people. You've probably heard this before but are you putting it into practise? In the same way that nutrients and diet affect your wellbeing, spending time with positive people can have a huge impact on your success and happiness.
Posted 255 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
How is 2017 going so far? Did you review 2016 with enthusiasm and feel proud of all of the things you achieved? Or did you feel frustrated that you'd spent most of your time stuck on Someday Isle?
Posted 255 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
As 2017 rolled in, it brought a blank page of opportunity and a chance for us to create a fresh, new chapter in our lives. Now the New Year is well under way, how are your resolutions going? Are you still buzzing with excitement as you work towards the goals you want to achieve and are you taking the actions required to move you closer towards reaching your goals?
Posted 276 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
In 2016 we saw 16 days of competition in the 2016 Olympics with team GB winning an impressive 67 medals, endured a 'Brexit' and witnessed Donald Trump winning the election as the next US president. If 2016 has proved anything it's that a lot can happen in the space of a year.
Posted 276 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
One of the greatest gifts that you can give to yourself - and everyone else - is compassion. During my life journey probably the most magical discovery or re-discovery has been compassion. It has been enriching to me and has helped me to appreciate, respect and help others. If you often find that you are afraid or numbed by life, compassion is likely to be the tonic that you need.
Posted 283 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
The International Coaching Awards 2016 was a fantastic evening to celebrate the success and remarkable achievements of The Coaching Academy Coaches. Well done to all the amazing Coaches who were nominated for an award. We're so proud to see that so many of you are doing wonderful work and are a real credit to The Coaching industry.
Posted 283 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
On Saturday 10th December 2016 the red carpet was rolled out once again as Coaches, Trainers, Bev James CEO of The Coaching Academy, The entire Coaching Academy team and loved ones gathered together at Latimer Place to celebrate Coaching success.
Posted 290 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
I attended the Coaching Academy's two-day free foundation in coaching course in September 2014 at a time of transition in my life. My children had left home and I was looking for a new challenge. With a background in Nursing and Careers Guidance, I was looking for something that would enable me to use all the skills, qualifications and experience that I had gathered over the years. I knew by the end of the 2 days training that Coaching was the way forward.
Posted 290 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
The Personal Success Academy is packed with over 20 modules of tools, techniques and tips from world class experts in their field. Have your own personal coach at the touch of a button with hours of video content and techniques that are designed to accelerate your success.
Posted 297 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
I can't quite believe it was less than a year ago that I was sitting in the 2 day Introduction to Coaching event wondering whether coaching was for me. I had heard of it but frankly I couldn't see how I could make money from it. How could this be a full time job? How could people see ME as a coach?
Posted 297 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Granting yourself permission to go for that senior position, trying online dating or perhaps attending a high profile networking event can require far more confidence than some may care to admit. If you would like to cultivate more confidence and build up the courage to go after what you want, below are some tools and techniques that you can apply to help your self-confidence to soar.
Posted 303 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
'Oh no! What now?' It was May 2015 and after a year of uncertainty, I could almost hear the fear in my own words! It had taken that long to actually sign on the dotted line. I had a settlement agreement from my employer and would be leaving my post as a Childcare Development and Business Officer after 14 years; the longest period I had ever held in any one job. A totally voluntary decision on my part; they had agreed to 'let me go!'.
Posted 303 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Whether it's a fear of failure, fear of being successful or fear of change it may sometimes seem easier to give into our fears and turn AWAY from our goals rather than making a choice which could have the potential to change things for the better. Life can push us into making difficult decisions but if we continuously hand over our power to our fears, it's likely that we'll end up on a path of missed opportunities, regret and disappointment.
Posted 311 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Have you ever had a vision for yourself perhaps it was about being more confident or courageous, or having a better lifestyle? Maybe it was a vision about finding the work you were born to do. And you found yourself feeling overwhelmed and almost frightened by this vision. Negative thoughts started to flood your mind. It's not for people like me. It's not for people who come from where I do. I'm not good at... How could I make it...? I have no idea, skills...? For whatever reasons, beliefs, convictions, limitations, negative words you abandoned your vision of better tomorrow's.
Posted 311 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
I was first introduced to coaching when I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue back in 2003. I managed to conquer my illness and in the process qualified as a Master Practitioner in NLP. I came across The Coaching Academy in Feb 2015, at the time I was an Expat Wife (following my husband to where he was placed with his work), which at that time was Milan, Italy and I wanted a recognised qualification in Coaching that I could do whilst living abroad.
Posted 318 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
I am still not sure if I chose coaching or if coaching chose me. It may sound strange coming from someone who now has two diplomas and is actively coaching but I was one of those people who thought coaching was either a flaky fad or bordering on mind control. I hadn't realised that I'd been coaching people already but had not put a label on it. My novice coaching was simply basic good intent to help others find what they wanted to do or work through issues they had at that time.
Posted 318 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
When we're going through a turbulent time, our goals and dreams haven't progressed in the way that we'd hoped or we're simply feeling lost or off balance, it can be easy to get sucked into a vortex of negativity which can make us feel even worse.
Posted 325 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
I started Life Coaching because I was confused, confused about how to get out of my dead-end job, confused about my next step to becoming self-employed and financially free and most of all, confused about which of my many interests to focus on. One of the most useful things I learned through being coached was that I didn't have to focus.
Posted 325 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Many people believe that there is more and better waiting for them but they may not know how to get it. Sometimes unconscious patterns of emotion, thought and behaviour can get in the way of personal success and this is where NLP comes in. Learn how NLP can transform your life at our introduction to NLP taster day held in London on 27th November 2016.
Posted 332 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
I trained with The Coaching Academy in 2008 when life coaching was little known and people assumed it was something to do with sports coaching. I'd been to a weekend workshop on sticking to your new year's resolutions and hung back after the workshop to find out more about what Life Coaching entailed. I knew that it was a really powerful tool and I left that workshop determined to find out more about coaching.
Posted 332 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Adversity can come in many different forms, whether our struggles are big or small learning how to overcome them is a life-skill that can move us away from falling into a 'why me' trap and into a space of self-empowerment instead.
Posted 339 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
I was working as an equine veterinary surgeon and although I really enjoyed my clinical work, I knew I had skills that I wasn't using. Having gone into the profession with a primary interest in animals, I had become more and more interested in the people I met and what drove their expectations and behaviours.
Posted 339 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Many books have been written on the subject of productivity, but in my experience the basics always boil down to the following seven points. If you want to learn some simple ways to be more productive read on...
Posted 346 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Coaching gives you a chance to get out there and transform the lives of others but if you're really serious about turning your coaching skills into a coaching business, you'll need clients to work with.
Posted 346 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
I was brought to coaching after having spent the first 20 odd years of my professional life working as a television presenter where I went on to achieve far more than I had ever believed I could as a nineteen year old starting out in the supposedly glitzy world of showbiz! After having pestered literally hundreds of producers I got my first audition, and subsequently my first job, presenting a teenage magazine show where I was given the chance to try my hand at all sorts of things, including presenting a piece to camera with a 20 foot python draped around my neck to playing football with some very cute lion cubs.
Posted 353 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Have you ever turned down an opportunity, business venture or even the chance of love because of the fear of the unknown-only at some point to have regretted your decision and sheepishly wonder "What If I had?" In life we can often discard many significant moments, open doors, new connections or relationships because of our reluctance to step out from our comfort zone and explore a new direction!
Posted 353 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
I would like to start by telling you a short story of a wise old man that lived high in the Himalayan Mountains. Periodically, he ventured down into the local village to entertain the villagers with his special knowledge and talents. One of his skills was to know the answer to ALL questions.
Posted 360 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Six months ago, facing some potential changes in my role at The Football Association due to a restructure, the Coaching Academy were recommended to me by my business coach and so I signed up for their 2-day free training course.
Posted 360 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
I have heard this statement proclaimed countless times by various people I have worked with in the past 11 years of my career being a leader of teams and now a corporate coach. Only yesterday this was repeated by a person who approached me to share their feelings of disillusionment and unhappiness in their current role.
Posted 367 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
The education sector is booming with opportunities to utilise your coaching skills and there is currently a huge demand for coaching across the entire sector ranging from young people and parents to teachers and school leaders. The coaching in education diploma is a methodology that has been specifically designed to meet the current demands of the industry to ensure that you can make an impact and thrive.
Posted 367 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
I was first introduced to coaching when I was working as a primary school teacher. Attending The Coaching Academy's 2-day event was a very positive experience, I went away with a newfound skill and something that I could explore further, in order to help me become the most effective leader that I could.
Posted 374 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
I recently celebrated a milestone birthday and I couldn't help but ask myself, "where has the time gone?" I wondered what fate would hold for me in the next decade and beyond. Having dreamt of running my own business for virtually most of my adult life I finally got tired of living on 'Someday Isle' and decided to take the plunge and make the next decade really count by trading in my flip flops, and choosing to go all out in creating an even greater and meaningful life.
Posted 374 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
I'd occasionally been helping people with their vocal confidence and public speaking skills for a few years and one of my massage clients, who writes training programmes, asked me to take her through how I work to see if I might be able to help her with a new programme.
Posted 381 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
I contacted a coach when I had my own health issues and was struggling to balance work and life, Coaching helped me to clarify my values and changed the priorities in my life. After experiencing the benefits of Coaching I knew it was a skill that would be useful to incorporate into my own consulting work and I enjoyed coaching so much that I made the leap to focus on it full-time.
Posted 381 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Many of us can get so caught up in the 'busyness' of life that we may not invest much time or thought into getting crystal clear on what's really important to us. Having a lack of clarity on what matters to us and what we truly want can cause us to aimlessly drift through life without direction, which can trigger a sense of feeling 'lost'.
Posted 388 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
One of my clients recently gave me permission to share the results of her sessions with me to demonstrate the power of coaching. She’d got in touch after receiving a poor performance review, we talked about her strengths and how by raising her profile with key people, she might make a move within her organisation to a role to which she was better suited and shortly after our discussion we agreed to commence a coaching relationship initially for 6 months and then for a further 6 months.
Posted 388 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
As our life is constantly changing and we set new goals for ourselves, it is inevitable that these changes, willingly or unwillingly, can cause us to feel certain fears. We may want to set a new goal, dream about changes or find solutions to our problems but the feeling of fear holds us back.
Posted 394 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
In 2007 I was in a position where I had just sold my previous business and was looking for the next stage in my professional and business career. Having always been in the business of 'helping people reach their potential' through my mathematical and business skills, I was interested to find out what coaching might have to offer and where it could take me next.
Posted 394 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
I've often noticed that the driving force behind indecisiveness usually stems from a fear of being disliked, criticised or failing. Some may find it more comfortable to stay in the 'safety zone' than choose to rock the boat with change.
Posted 402 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Our mind is the most powerful tool we have; it can store either inaccurate conclusions about who we believe we are or assist us in turning our dreams into our reality. Depending on our thoughts we can either use our minds to limit our potential or enhance it.
Posted 402 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
What brought you to coaching? My daughter! I had taken voluntary early severance from my previous employer and was looking around at what I might go on to do. She reminded me that I had 'invented' a coaching process for her when she wanted to combat her nerves going into an ice skating competition and she said that it really worked for her. She told me I should do it for a living and so I decided I would look into it.
Posted 409 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
For a good part of my life I allowed a strong Ego to emerge. I created my own internal limitations, deep seated fears, illusions and powerlessness as a woman because deep down I didn't have the intention, strength or courage to take responsibility for my own life. I have now come to a point of living which reveals that there is more to life than appears on the surface of what we call our "reality".
Posted 409 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Many of us live in a fast paced digitally obsessed world where we may have become accustomed to instantaneously getting what we want or need at the touch of a button. This on-demand lifestyle can cause many of us to rush from one place to another whether it's to and from work, picking up the kids from school or fitting in exercise and social commitments; it can feel like most of us are continuously on the go.
Posted 416 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
When I was a Careers Adviser for schools I volunteered to go on a Life Coaching taster course. I'd heard great things about life coaching and how it could benefit the work I was already doing with young people.
Posted 416 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
The motivation to set a goal usually stems from recognising that you would like to make a change in a certain area of your life. Making the decision to set a goal is a great way to break through your barriers but a plan is not an action and it is only by taking action that you can truly get the results you are hoping for.
Posted 423 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Life coaching to me is transition and transformation. Transition because coaching forms a bridge between where we are now and where we want to be. I have recently learned from a very talented intuitive life coach and author from NY that bridges in fact are metaphors for the transitions in our lives. They represent that 'unknown' stage between the past and future, which could result in the feeling of uncertainty for some.
Posted 423 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Resilience is the ability to bounce back, recover and grow from life's adversities. Those who are resilient are able to cope with stress more effectively and maintain a positive outlook on their circumstances. Research has shown that whilst some are naturally resilient these behaviours can be developed.
Posted 429 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Is learning part of your daily life? Are you always in search of the next great idea? Do you refuse to settle for the status quo? Are you inquisitive? Are you curious? Are you fond of asking questions? What kind of questions do you ask? Curiosity is a great virtue - the playwright George Bernard Shaw said, "Some people look at things and ask, "Why?" I look at things and ask, "Why Not?"
Posted 429 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Many of us can experience life transitions at various points in our lives, it could be moving to a new city, a redundancy, retirement, becoming a parent, a divorce or simply wanting to create positive changes in your life. Going through a life transition can bring up a mixed range of emotions which can cause many of us to feel uncertain, question our identity or revaluate what we truly want.
Posted 437 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
How you begin your morning often sets the tone for the rest of your day. When you wake up feeling enthusiastic and energised you're more likely to have a productive and positive day that helps you to perform at 100%. Read our 10 ways to start your day the energised way.
Posted 437 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
My journey started in January 2015 and it has been a fascinating one. I've had the chance to meet an amazing array of people from all walks of life and it has been great to exchange stories and share the successes along the way.
Posted 444 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Sometimes we can have a bad day where things may not always go to plan. When we have a 'bad day' it can be unsettling and if we allow ourselves to dwell in these thoughts it can lead to feelings of frustration or sadness. If you want to break out of a bad day and turn things around, below are 5 ways to make a bad day better.
Posted 444 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
The seed was planted in 2008 when I applied for a trainer position within the company I was working for. At the end of the practical interview, I remember hearing one of the assessors asking me: have you ever thought about coaching? I remember that even if I didn't know exactly what coaching was, I felt curious.
Posted 451 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Pause for a moment. Drop your gaze, release your hands, sit back in your chair and feel your breath. Pause "doing" mode and allow yourself to open up to "being" mode. Simply sitting here breathing. All sorts of shifts have just happened as you followed that simple guidance. Your heart rate will have slowed down, your body will have relaxed, your mind will have settled and your awareness will have opened up.
Posted 451 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
I had spent most of my early 20's with a negative lens; I would expect the worst, worry excessively and lacked confidence in myself and others. When I turned 24, I finally started to think about the future, the hope of a better lifestyle, career and happiness, I knew that in order for me to achieve that I needed to work on myself and reconsider my attitude to life.
Posted 458 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
As Life Coaches go, I guess I am fairly new to the Industry. I started my solo career 3 years ago and have been training and coaching one to one since then, but I believe coaching has been in my blood for a lot longer.
Posted 458 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
My first two years as a qualified Solution Focused Motivational NLP coach have been full of learning experiences. My initial diploma training in Coaching and NLP finished at the end of 2014. Since then it has been increasingly clear to me that at the centre of my personal coaching philosophy lies my core belief in the ability of people to realise and exceed their own expectations of themselves ie 'People are amazing!
Posted 465 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
What beliefs do you hold about yourself? The dictionary defines belief as "A principle accepted as a truth or real without proof, an opinion, a conviction".
Posted 465 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
I had no idea of what coaching entailed until attending The Coaching Academy's initial two day course. The two days changed my career path and the mini coaching sessions made me realise that I had to move on and so I went into work the day after and handed in my notice.
Posted 472 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Coaching is all about asking powerful questions which can help us to create breakthroughs in our careers, relationships and overall wellbeing. When we ask ourselves the right questions we direct our minds towards seeking answers, considering different perspectives, altering our moods and finding solutions to our challenges.
Posted 472 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
I was having a discussion with a friend and we started talking about coaching programmes. What initially drew me to the 2-day coaching academy event was the certificate of attendance. Coaching perfectly matched what I was looking for at the time, I'd been in a leadership and management role in the energy industry for several years and my role was becoming mundane, I felt like I needed new knowledge and skills to push myself further in my career.
Posted 479 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
It's a beautifully bright November morning, slightly crisp and chilly. The smell of coffee permeates the room, with an undercurrent of treacle from the tarts, somehow in keeping with the ornate splendour of the wall panelling. A hush descends and Bev James asks with a steely stare "What is your goal?". I'm shaking slightly and worry that the others will notice. But 'No' I'm saying to myself 'don't focus on that. I can do this' and so I start.
Posted 479 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
In September 2013, I started a company, delivering management training in education and business. With that established and going well, a year later we decided to add coaching as an additional strand to the business. I had been involved in professional development of teams and individuals before and the buzz from helping people change and grow made me realize that coaching was not far away.
Posted 493 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
International Coach of The Year Award Winner, Dominika Miernik shares her Coaching Journey.
Posted 486 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
During teaching for 15 years in the 11 to 18 sector, both in mainstream and the special educational sectors, I became increasing dissatisfied. However, I didn't know what else I could do, listened to those who told it was a 'good job' and was far too exhausted at the end of each working day to consider my skills and options.
Posted 486 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Courage is a quality that is available to us all. It can help us to grow, push through our fears and doubts and go after the things we want. When we're courageous we can feel more confident in pursuing our skills, passions and purpose which acts as our guiding force to create a life we love!
Posted 493 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
It is a Thursday afternoon in May 1982 and I am sitting with a sixteen year old pupil in the library of a school for children with moderate learning difficulties. We are talking about life beyond school. It is an upbeat conversation about how he is going to get a flat of his own and have a job that brings him all the money he needs. Clearly he has ideas that need a reality check and I am the person who is going to help him plan his exciting future.
Posted 500 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
A while ago I was going through a very difficult time in my life, a time of changes and insecurities where I felt very lost. A friend suggested I see a life coach as it was really helping her to gain clarity in her life, so I decided to give it a go.
Posted 500 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Do you wake up every day feeling accomplished, confident and great about yourself? Or do you find yourself doubting your abilities? If so, you aren't alone, many of us can struggle with low confidence at points of our lives.
Posted 505 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Juli Kenworthy qualified through The Coaching Academy Protege programme and has enthusiastically agreed to share her coaching experience, so we have put her in the Coaching Hot Seat. Here is Juli's story...
Posted 505 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Having had the pleasure to meet and train many amazing life coaches over the years it has been extremely rewarding to hear the success stories they have had not only in their own lives but also when working with their clients. Life coaches have had the pleasure to see their clients attain their dream jobs, drastically improve their relationships, build up their confidence to set up their own businesses, win awards, travel the world and live a life full of purpose.
Posted 514 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
I was at a real crossroads in my life: I knew I wasn't happy in my job but didn't know what else to do. I stumbled across an ad and the rest is history!
Posted 514 Days Ago in: Coaching Articles
Last week we hosted an accelerator week for international students and I popped along to say hello. It was lovely to meet with coaches from all over the world and when getting into discussions with some of them I noticed that some coaches were clear on their coaching niche and others wanted some guidance.
