Need a Career Kick Start?
If one or more of the following is true for you, then read on…
- I want to inject more mojo, interest, or meaning into my future career. Either there’s a clear promotion/path I want to go for, or I’m at a bit of a career crossroads and don’t know which option to take.
- I have to find a new role, because Covid has turned my world upside-down.
- I want to do something different, but I haven’t got a clue where to start.
- I think I know what option to take, but I’m struggling with how to go about it – how to ‘network’ (urgh!!), how to present myself, how to keep motivated.
If you've answered 'yes' to any of those then I get it, I really empathise.
I have coached hundreds and hundreds of people through successful career transition, so I have tried and tested methods, exercises and templates. BUT before I explain what’s in the Career Kick Start, I want to give you a bit of vulnerable self-disclosure as context:
I have had some MASSIVE Career Kick Starts over the years, they’ve made huge changes to my financial and emotional wellbeing and so I get how important this topic is:
In 1994, aged 21, I graduated from Oxford University with a good degree but I managed to cock up the graduate ‘milk round’ and found myself living back with my parents, having to ask my mum if I could borrow her car to head to town and having to turn down my music when dad said it was too loud. Meanwhile all of my friends had moved to London and started their lives. It was horrible, but forced me to learn about the importance of taming your demons. A few weeks later I bagged a great job with Ernst and Young, deferred my start date and headed to South America for the trip of a lifetime.
In 2009 my world collapsed. I had an ADHD toddler, a newborn baby, total exhaustion, plenty of bills to pay….and I was made redundant. It was a crappy year. But hand on heart I can look back and say that sh*t made great compost. It gave me a kick up the backside and opened my eyes to a fabulous career opportunity which had been hiding in plain sight.
In both 2000 and 2014 I was doing jobs I loved in great companies with great colleagues, but I still decided to make bold moves. In my heart of hearts, I knew I was drifting and would regret it if I didn’t get off the passive ‘career conveyor belt’ I was on. Both times these were big, risky decisions. I needed to step outside my comfort zone. If it hadn’t been for a network of support (outside of friends and family, who thought I was nuts) I don’t think I would have had the courage to do it. Thank goodness I did.
2020: Before Covid struck, a lot of my income came from conference keynote speaking. It was pretty terrifying to see all my speech bookings for the year disappear from my diary within 48 hours. I now realise that Lockdown has simply given me a sharp kick up the backside to provide my tried-and-tested Career Kick start online. Simples.
So, in short, wherever you are on the career-quandary rollercoaster of fear, boredom, frustration, excitement, doubt… I have an inkling of how you might be thinking and feeling and I’ve got your back. I know how amazing it feels to have a great job that has meaning, purpose, and allows you to flourish and contribute. I have a pathological desire to help people and make a difference – sounds vomity, but it’s true. I’ve poured 20 years' coaching experience into the Career Kick Start to help you you make a genuine shift.
What is in the Career Kick Start?
It’s a set of simple-to-follow online resources, combined with group and/or one-to-one coaching. This means you not only get the knowledge, but also the support and accountability nudges to make sure you take action.
What topics are covered?
You can access all of the following topics and more:
1) What do you bring to the party? – understanding your strengths, values and unique quirks.
2) Where do you flourish? Understanding your needs, the environment and context where you’ll thrive.
3) What’s out there? Exploring the opportunities – from the obvious to the leftfield.
4) What’s your path? Deciding what you are going for: removing unconscious bias, handling doubts, and making commitments.
5) What’s holding you back? Taming your demons – building the belief that it’s OK, you’ve got this, you deserve this, you can absolutely do this.
6) What’s the plan? Go blummin do it: taking action, avoiding procrastination, building momentum.Creating both short term and longer-term action plans
7) Who’s the support team? Galvanising the right network of people to help you every step of the way.
8) How do you show up? Pitching with authenticity and gravitas: how to explain what you have to offer without coming across like a dick!
How is the Career Kick Start delivered?
If you decide to go for it, you can choose from the following:
1) Online self-service resources so you can go at your own pace and fit your Kick Start around your current commitments. The resources are simple, humorous, appetising and highly practical:
- A series of short, appetising videos which give simple overviews of each topic and strategy,
- A collection of downloadable pdfs which give more detailed explanations
- Step-by step DIY exercises in downloadable pdfs
- Templates and cut-and-paste suggestions. For example, suggestions for emails to write to ‘cold’ contacts to ask for their advice
- Hints and tips and real-life examples from the hundreds of people I’ve coached
2) The online self-service resources, plus live group coaching. This will get you thinking, answer your questions, encourage you to keep momentum, - and celebrate your progress
- 8, weekly, hour-long calls with a like-minded, supportive community (max of 5 per call to ensure depth of attention)
- The option to involve yourself totally anonymously if your career quandary is confidential
- A chance to broaden your network and access peer coaching, advice and introductions
- A structured approach to allow equal ‘airtime’ and individual attention, constructive challenge and sharing of insights and different perspectives.
3) All of the above, plus one to one coaching with me: completely tailored coaching using my 20 years’ experience to give you the 100% high support and high challenge you need… whether that’s asking you the questions you’ve been dodging, respectfully slapping you round the face with a wet kipper, or reminding you what amazing progress you’ve made…. Or all of the above : )
Are you up for it?
You can have access to the DIY resources for £250 for three months. That's 20 years' worth of tried and tested strategies at your fingertips. A vast amount of high quality knowledge and actionable advice.
Or, you can have all that, plus the group coaching for £500 for 6 months. That's all of those lovely online resources PLUS 8 hours of coaching. You'd struggle to get Executive Coaching for that rate for just 1 hour, let alone 8, so this is an absolute steal :) I'm trying to make this option as affordable as possible because time and again I've seen the magic of groups supporting each other to take massive action. It's powerful stuff. THE NEXT COHORT KICKS OFF IN JUNE, SESSIONS RUN 9-10 am, UK time, every Friday for 8 weeks. First come first served!! (if that timing doesn't work for you, let me know and we'll figure it out!)
If you are interested in the one-to-one coaching option, email me directly and we can discuss your specific needs and tailor things accordingly.
I’ll also give you a full refund if you think it’s a pile of pants. I want to make a genuine impact. I want you to get the results you want and deserve, hence I'm putting my neck on the line and giving you this copper-bottomed guarantee. So go ahead and sign up here
You might still have some questions…
Where have I done this before?
I’ve coached people specifically through successful career crossroads at: Screwfix, Linklaters, Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group, SSE, Alexandra, Recruitment firms who want to remain nameless (sic!), Bank of America Merrill Lynch, AXA, Freshfields, and many, many more.
I’ve written the bestselling book, ‘Will It Make The Boat Go Faster? Olympic-Winning Strategies for Everyday Success’ which has chapters specifically devoted to belief, to motivation, to change, to bouncebackability. The book is recommended by Sir Clive Woodward and Sir Chris Hoy, by Helen Weir (NED of ‘JUST EAT’) and Dr Richard Ward (former CEO of Lloyds of London)
What are the resources like?
You can access a sample pdf if you click here
Ready for a Career Kick Start? Sign up here
What do previous coachees say about me?
"I heard you on Radio 4 and noticed the audience question about whether coaching works and I am here to tell you that it really does. As you know I would never have had the insight into my own drivers to make a decision to move on from my old firm without your help. It has been transformative for me. I would recommend it to anyone." Philippa
“Without a doubt the most useful thing I have done since becoming a coach. I feel like it has given me the tools I need to help me take my coaching to the next level’ Heidi
Game changer! 3rd coaching session of my career to date and the most impactful. So simple, yet so effective. Thank you.” Guy
Ready for a Career Kick Start? Sign up here
If you are still intrigued but have some questions or concerns, get in touch: If it turns out that this isn’t right for you, or this isn’t the right time, no worries – so if you’ve questions you want answering before you decide, get in touch: [email protected]
