From watching life pass her by to thriving in her own business

Alaina felt stuck – worrying she was wasting time in a mundane job that drained her energy while others seemed to be moving ahead in their careers. She wasn’t learning anything, and had a sense she would be suited to something more people focused than her technical analyst role.

But her confidence was low after trying different avenues that hadn’t worked out, made worse for having recruiters “hands down” refusing to put her forward for roles she was interested in if they weren’t exactly the same as the one she was already in.

Alaina was losing hope at this stage, so she signed up for my 1:1 coaching, feeling she needed professional help if she was going to change her career and be happier in both her work and homelife.

Coaching helped Alaina reconnect with what was important to her, what she had to offer and, for the first time, give herself permission to imagine a work life that would give her the home life she also wanted.

Through exercises and discussions focused on values and interests, and identifying the skills and strengths she most loved using, Alaina built up courage and confidence to back herself.

Soon after coaching she negotiated different working terms so she could create a better balance between home and work time. And within a year had mustered the courage to apply for a role that was more people focused, despite not having all the skills listed in the job description. Her confidence and ability to highlight her relevant strengths (for example in relationship building and providing a great service) got her through – and this was the same type of role that the recruiters had said she didn’t have a hope in securing!

Alaina’s confidence grew – she continued to tap into the ‘clues’ uncovered in the coaching sessions to design her ideal work life and in a way that fitted with how she wanted her life to be. While excelling in her new profession, she realised she could take things even further – creating a career on her terms.

Alaina launched her own business, Tidy Life Solutions, and now gets to play to her strengths every day, helping people declutter and organise their homes, while choosing her client hours to fit around her family life. 

“I absolutely love it! It’s worlds apart from where I was. I get so much joy out of working with people instead of sitting in an office clicking buttons!

“I find it extremely rewarding, going to help clients transform their lives – and you never know what they are going to need, whether help with one room or a whole house. It’s the opposite of mundane!”

Alaina says without the coaching she would probably have stayed where she was.

“What I got from coaching with Lucy was the confidence to change my situation, and it opened my eyes to possibilities – the notion that I get to choose and that a career doesn’t have to look like 9-5 in the office. It really gave me the courage to try to do something different. And to not listen to others who might try to put me off”.

Alaina says the coaching gave her more confidence to back herself and her career decisions, to identify roles and work environments that are a good fit, and to pursue work that aligns with what matters most to her.

“If you’re on the fence about career coaching – just do it! Put self out there. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!”