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Nicolene's Story
From the age of nine, right through my teenage years and up to my early twenties, I ate, drank, lived and dreamt music.
I received an excellent musical training from dedicated and much-loved teachers, and had my sights set on a performing career.
But, life, a husband, five relocations and three gorgeous children intervened. I threw myself into motherhood with all its attendant joys and heartaches, and the day came when I kissed my youngest and sent her off to school.
Time For ME!
It was time for me again. Although I had kept my musical skills going, I had no idea which direction to take next. Having been ‘off the scene’ for so long, I was also well aware that my self-belief about re-entering the musical world wasn’t that robust!
I had previously read some magazine articles on life coaching, and after a little research located Sue Clarke. I contacted her and we had a chat, and I decided to give it a go.
From my first appointment with Sue, she was approachable, enthusiastic and on my side. We identified that my greatest wish was to write music for radio and television.
Small Steps
Sue and I set about breaking down this ambition into small, achievable steps. I left with a small TO DO list, and arranged to see her again in a month’s time.
Returning for my second session, I had been able to tick most tasks off my list except one or two that frankly scared me rigid. But this was okay… with Sue’s help I broke these tricky tasks down into even smaller steps.
After another month, my list was looking great; I’d enrolled in a course in media music and completed the first module, had secured a ‘gig’ writing theatre music for a local company (that was a huge tick!), and had made contact with a number of former colleagues.
Equipped For Success
My other wish was to earn enough money to buy better equipment. Sue and I had discussed how I could get a job teaching music, and I saw a part-time teaching job advertised and asked Sue to help me produce a CV.
By the next week I was shortlisted for the position and so saw Sue again – this time to help me prepare for the interview (my first in eleven years!) I got the job, after a successful and enjoyable interview.
The school where I teach has turned out to be a hugely supportive and stimulating work environment.
Work In Progress
My career is a work in progress, where I constantly define and redefine my goals and ideals, and then chase after them. With Sue’s help, I have learned that you have to know where your enthusiasm is, because chances are that your skills and inspiration will be in the same location.
I’ve also learned that it’s important to go with what feels right, and not just what looks good from the outside.
Nicolene Gibbons
Words From Sue:
Keep true to you!
One of the things that ensured Nicolene’s success is that she saw that by going with what felt true to her, she was able to keep taking steps towards her goal.
This didn’t come without being tested. During one of our sessions, the possibility of another teaching job came up, a lucrative and high profile role that had many attractions – attractions, moreover, that were highlighted enthusiastically by her friends and loved ones!
So, at this point we stepped back and reviewed the goal we’d set in our first session together. We redefined what Nicolene really wanted, in an environment of total acceptance that original goals and ambitions can change, especially as new ‘data’ in the form of experience and achievements arrives. The key is, although goals may change, the need to be true to you doesn’t.
So we explored the high profile teaching job, what it offered, what it didn’t… and Nicolene was able to clearly see that it was not going to meet her real needs. Then she was able to remove the distraction from her mind and focus once more on what was right for her.
‘How can I help this client be true to themselves’ is the most important question I ask myself when I’m coaching. Often, helping clients identify what ‘being true’ means to them is the first step; we don’t all come being able to clearly articulate that. And sometimes, like Nicolene, once we’ve defined what being true means for us, life has a way of throwing up some seductive distractions that can take us off our path. But that’s okay, because wherever we are, there’s always a way to get on our true track.
Warmest wishes,
Sue
