My focus is on creating the conditions for others to be their best selves. I know that I achieve this because I ask my clients for feedback as I coach. That feedback is captured confidentially, so it keeps me focused and motivated, but I can’t share it openly. From time to time, a client is willing to put pen to paper and share their experience. I am truly honoured and grateful when it happens. Enjoy.

Not what I expected but what I needed

“I want to acknowledge Brad and his unique coaching style.

I signed up for 15 weeks of coaching because I knew I could use someone to guide me on the next very different phase of my career path.

Late in life to even be considering starting a new business but considering it, I am – Covid gave us all pause for thought and out of it came a decision to bring a lifetime’s PR and Marketing skills to my own new e-commerce business with the aim of generating a passive income and the freedom, I’m seeking, to work from anywhere.

In working with Brad I was expecting to have a mentor, a guide, someone who would give me a structure and top tips to help me upskill (I’ve signed up for two essential courses in e-commerce and social media marketing) and get my business up and running – set goals, help drive me towards them; prevent procrastination, make the most of every spare minute to realise my dreams.

It’s only now, with hindsight, that, had I got ‘that Brad’ I would probably have jumped from the frying pan into the fire and burnt out – you see I was still doing client work for two companies while trying to get the side hustle going.

Instead of the coach with a stick and/or carrot, I got someone who walked along side me like an indulgent, intelligent and inciteful friend; somebody who gave me essential space once a week to explore what it was, I was trying to do and importantly, why? What were my values, why were they important, where do my strengths and weaknesses lie and where are the wins going to come from?

I was ‘struggling with the juggling’ and not getting done what I felt was necessary. My goals still have not been achieved and yet, I still feel my time being coached by Brad was valuable. No, it wasn’t a constant sequence of “aha!” moments but he created the space I needed to explore, in a non-judgemental, non-threatening environment, the landscape that lay ahead.

When tempted to disappear off on a tangent or down a blind alley he kept me on track. There was a little homework but nothing too onerous so if you’re reading this and wondering if you can afford the time, the answer is probably ‘yes’ but of course, like anything, you get out what you put in.

It was a valuable hour a week one wouldn’t give one’s self to ponder, reflect and plan – a luxury almost. But no, that undermines its importance – more like selfcare. In a way that enough sleep, a good diet and work life balance are important so too this time has been for me to gain that perspective and carve a path through the trees and see the wood.

Thank you Brad for helping me to learn a new way of thinking that helps me to help myself going forward – I now ask myself why I’m doing something, is it consistent with my values, have I done my best?

If you give a man a fish he eats for a day, if you teach him to fish he eats for a lifetime.

Brad taught me how to fish!”

Andrea ‘Panda’ Worrall