What I’ve learned about how to be successful

It seems almost surreal but I have been running my independent coaching & consultancy practice for TEN years. Ten whole years!

Incredibly when I first started, I had NO IDEA what my business would be. 

I knew I felt trapped at work. The role I had was incredibly inflexible because of the size of the organisation and the fact that I was the only manager in the UK, indeed in Europe. 

I wanted to more available for my children as they moved up into secondary school so that I could be a better mum.

I wanted more flexibility, more balance and more fun! 

The decision to launch a business was inspired by my first experience of working with a career coach. I thought I simply needed to find a way to create a more balanced way of living and pluck up the courage to request to work from home one day a week. 

Instead, after 25 years working in technology, I decided to quit my job and set up my own business! Even my coach nearly fell off her chair when I told that I’d handed in my notice!

At first, I had NO idea what my business would look like or even what services I would offer. 

I did know that:

a) I am determined

b) I am successful

c) I know how to work hard and

d) I have an amazing network. 

I sent an email to everyone I knew “Hey I’m setting up my own business, these are the services I can offer, how can I help you”. 

My first clients were in the legal technology sector and they wanted coaching. That’s how it began ten years ago – working with the technology teams in law firms to help them build and develop strong teams delivering incredible service to their clients. 

Today I work with women in technology to help them get the clarity, inner strength and confidence they need to fully unlock their career potential.

I also partner with technology and cybersecurity companies who want to do more to develop and retain their female talent offering workshops, coaching and leadership development programmes

That first year in 2012 was AMAZING. I worked with some incredible clients. I was a London Gamesmaker. I watched Bradley Wiggins win gold! I ran my first marathon. I won the User Representative category at the NCT London Region Stars Awards.

For a sneaky peak at what else I was up to and writing about ten years ago, check out my original Change For Success blog. I remember agonising for days over my very first blog post.

The Confident Mother was born when I ran my first online conference in January 2015. People kept referring to the business as The Confident Mother and it became the title of my first book. The name had stuck so I rebranded. 

What I’ve learned about how to be successful

In ten years, I have learned SO much about how to be successful and run a successful coaching practice.

Here are ten things I’m reflecting on today:

• Working hard is NOT a requirement to be successful. The two don’t have to go hand in hand. 
• Do work you love and it never feels like work. A cliche but oh so true. 
• Prioritise your self-care. Take time out, book holidays, do things you enjoy, spend time with family, potter in the garden and rest when you’re sick. I’m not so good at this but getting better. 
• Focus on the ONE thing that will make a difference to your career or your life. 
• Don’t get distracted worrying about the detail. Tough for me because I am a details person but sometimes that means I end up procrastinating.
• Take risks and be ambitious. After all, what’s the worst that could happen. And how likely is that?
• Listen to feedback from others. What you find incredibly easy and ‘common sense’ might be THE most valuable skill you have, it’s just that you don’t recognise it as such. 
• Find your cheerleaders – surround yourself with positive encouraging energy. 
• Get a coach – someone who will challenge you and stretch you beyond your comfort zone so you do things you didn’t realise were possible. 
• Don’t be afraid to ask for or to accept help. People are often more than happy to help but sometimes they don’t know how. 

I don’t often celebrate my business anniversary but 10 years is special, right? 

That’s why I’m offering you a special 10th anniversary discount on my Career Power Hour. You can use a Career Power Hour in any way you want – get fully prepared for your next job interview, get crystal clear in your thinking about your next career move, create a practical yet actionable plan for your first 90 days in a new job, discover how to get boldly visible at work so you stop getting overlooked for promotion or something else that will help you fully unleash your career potential.

The 10th anniversary discount gives you £100 off the normal Career Power Hour price of £199 so you pay just £99.

Book your discounted Career Power Hour here. The offer closes on 5pm Sunday 10 April. 

I’d love to hear from you … what have you learned about how to be successful?