Take Control of your life …before it takes control of you!

'Doing the right thing' & putting others' needs ahead of yours, just to keep them happy - often has consequences!

It is often easier to see a situation more clearly when you are looking from the outside in. This is why when life takes an unexpected turn, or you become stuck in a rut, the services of a life coach can be worth considering.

Mary Berkopec, an accredited life coach and director of 'Direction - Life Coaching', tells us about the experience of one of her clients, Joanne, to demonstrate how life coaching can make all the difference in working through life's challenges.

"Emerging from a stressful work environment with her health in tatters, Joanne hit rock bottom before she finally, decided it was time to do something about it. Due to a stress related illness which she developed working for her previous employer, Joanne became unemployed. She was trying so hard to please others and 'do the right thing' that she forgot her own needs in the process," Mary explains.

"The first few steps we took were crucial. We set three goals, which were inspiring, challenging and achievable within 12 weeks. We carefully developed several strategies and soon Joanne was on her way to achieving her goals."

"Within four weeks, coaching had made a dramatic difference to Joanne's life. Working through the actions each week clarified a lot of the confusion in her life and finally, she had direction. Coaching also opened her eyes to new and exciting opportunities she hadn't considered before. As her coach, I made her accountable for her actions, kept her motivated and on track. Through questioning and reflection, we set actions each week which enabled Joanne to find the answers she was searching for. At the end of twelve weeks, Joanne achieved her goals beyond her expectations."

"Joanne is now happy working in an exciting new role with a dynamic company and her income has increased substantially. Joanne has taken control of her life and is confident that she will continue to take charge of life's opportunities and challenges."

If you think that, like Joanne, you would benefit from career or life coaching, contact Direction - Life Coaching for further information, or to arrange an obligation-free trial session phone Mary on: (02) 9817 6704 or e-mail: info@directioncoaching.com.au

Confidence Can Make All The Difference!
Why is that some people know exactly what they want in life and seem to get ahead, when others have no idea? You're either 'doing it' or you're living a mere existence where you're doing the things that you do because it was what you were doing yesterday. Most people are either afraid of change or lacking in confidence.

Mary Berkopec, accredited Life Coach and director of Direction-Life Coaching speaks to us about the benefits of developing confidence, particularly in a work environment. "Not all of us are born confident. However, there are many disadvantages to lacking in confidence, namely that you could be missing opportunities in life, and be subject to pressure in a work environment." Says Mary.

"Without the confidence, employers may start to view you as shy or distressed and therefore, avoid considering you for any new career opportunities. Which is exactly what happened to one of my clients, Theresa.

"Theresa is a very intelligent, ambitious young lady who came to me in search of ways she could increase her chances for promotion at work. We carefully set a goal around this. Theresa needed to take responsibility and then action. Over twelve weeks, we worked through various strategies and actions, tackling Theresa's confidence level by getting Theresa to look at her self talk and to change the way she believes in herself.

"Within six weeks, Theresa's Manager could see potential in her and began to delegate more responsibility. Her co-workers also began to see her in a different light and Theresa finally gained the respect and recognition she's long deserved.

Coaching taught Theresa how to believe in herself, build her confidence level and take control of her career path. She no longer feels vulnerable, and timid. Theresa believes her career path once lost, was back on track to new and exciting opportunities.