SUZY'S LIFE COACHING CLINIC

For those of you with a magazine addiction as big as mine was, you may recognise Suzy as a health journalist. She wrote for - among others -The Daily Mail, The Sunday Times, Marie Claire, The Mirror, Red, She, Zest magazine and the Times.

It was through her work as a journalist that she discovered the joys of life coaching. Her mission as a health journalist was to report on new and effective ways to live a healthier and happier life.

Suzy tried many things in the name of journalism – anything from dancing naked outside a teepee in Glastonbury in order to rid herself of emotional baggage (rather her than me…) to sticking a plastic tube up her bum in an attempt at DIY colonic irrigation to stop smoking! (again, rather Suzy than me…)

She hired a life coach in 1997 and says that it was the one thing that actually improved her life immeasurably on every level. Over the last few years, she became health editor of New Woman and OK! magazine, went back to being freelance, tripled her income, trained to become a life coach, wrote a book and had a much longed for baby.
Suzy says, “I am presently creating a life that even I never thought was possible.”

And now, here she is, bringing the benefit of her wisdom to readers of Relentlessly Positive. I’m really delighted to be able to welcome Suzy as our resident life coach. If you have any pressing questions you’d like Suzy’s help with, please send them through and I’ll pass them on.

Change your life in your lunch-hour - This month: Double your energy.

1. What is really draining your energy? Putting up with rubbish in your life holds you back – be it needy friends, the junk in your cupboards or the junk food in your diet. It’s time to get clear. Make a list of three things you are tolerating at home or at work and commit to doing something about it right now.

2. Get some adoration. Make a list of three people who you adore and who adore you and book some time to see them this week. Now cancel all the appointments you have with the people who drain you, waste your time and energy. Basking in negative energy will get you more of the same so hang out with the people who want nothing more than to love you

3. Get more than you need in every area of you life. What do you need more of in your life to feel more energetic? Time, space, money, love? Be Specific – one hour of pottering at the weekend? £500 extra in your wage packet? Figure out what you need, then double it. Then plan a way of getting it – whether that be sitting down your loved ones and asking for support or scheduling in three nights a week where you do nothing but lie in bed and sleep.

Life Coach Q&A – SeptembeR

I hate my job and want to leave - I have a great business idea and I’ve been thinking of giving a go but I’m not sure whether this is the right thing to do. Help!
Karen, 29, Leeds. 

A: Write a very specific vision of what your business would look like. Do you work from home or hire offices? Who is your ideal client? Why would they buy your service or product? What’s your competition? Is it a global empire or a cottage industry? How much is your turnover? Get specific about details – what car does your ideal client drive? Plan out your ideal day at the office.

Work on your vision until you get so excited that you have a ‘bingo’ moment – the moment when you know you’ve got a success formula gripped in your hot sweaty hands. With excitement and passion in your belly, you are half way there. Now ask yourself - what would you have to believe about yourself to set this business up? For example - "I can achieve anything I want when I put my mind to it."

Self-belief is an important piece but money is too so start saving. Do whatever you have to do to build a six month financial reserve so if you decide to take action, you have the cash to cushion your move. Then write a baby-step by baby-step action plan you would need to transition from your current job through to your first six months of trading.
 Now you can make the informed decision about whether you’re willing to make that first step. It might be helpful to remember the actress Katharine Hepburn’s words: “Life is to be lived. If you have to support yourself, you had bloody well better find a way that is going to be interesting.”

Be your own life coach - This month: Improve your job

Answer the following questions and create your own coaching programme:
1. If you were to become the ideal employee in the next 30 days – what would you do differently?
2. If you were to improve the working conditions and morale dramatically by doing three things today – what would you do? Perhaps bring a plant in for your desk, chocolate for your team?
3. On a scale of one to ten, how much do you enjoy your job? What would you have to do differently to turn up the scale at least three more notches?

Emotional Rescue! “I’m feeling directionless! (the latest self help books /CDs /tools)

Feeling blue / unappreciated / sad / rejected / heartbroken?
Read this: Finding Your Own North Star by Martha Beck. Oprah’s life coach
will inspire you to get back on track.