Janet Brown: Why being a Life Coach is her passion

Janet Brown, Life Coach found some time to tell us about how she helps people to live the lives they should be living. Read to learn more…

Tell us about your background, how did you get started in coaching?

I previously worked with vulnerable groups in a number of charities. This has included ex-offenders,the homeless and those suffering from mental health. The roles were all supportive ones,working one to one with clients aiding them to make the perceived changes in there lives that they wanted.

I enjoyed this type of work as I love working on a one to one basis,in a holistic manner. Changes started happening within organisations which made this way of working became less holistic and more target driven. I also felt that I wasn’t being challenged enough and wanted more to bite my teeth into. I did some research on coaching and liked the idea of using coaching tools to enable clients to tap within for answers. I decided to attend a two day workshop with the coaching academy. I then registered to do the course.

Have you always had a love of helping and listening to others?

I have always had a natural talent for communicating with people,this comes with a keen ear for listening and allowing others to be heard. This is demonstrated with friends,family and in the work environment.

What do you enjoy with this work?

I have a passion for the work I do,it’s an empowering journey where clients can work on a goal and make preparation of the options available to move through the challenges to obtain the identified goals. I like the fact that clients are able to be charge of the process and the difference it makes when they actually can find the answers that suit them.

Transformation work is a wonderful sight to see,it is not without challenges,but even so, each individual is able to see their weakness’s and turn them into strengths. Building foundational relationships with clients is truly inspirational.

Was it difficult to build a business?

Buildling a business is an on-going process,learning each day. Coming from a situation of being an employee there are thinking habits that I had to unlearn. There is the yo-yo effect of highs and lows of obtaining want you want,there is the unexpected turns that you have to manage. I found that building the business goes hand in hand with the type of person you are,your character and attributes. Yes,there are times when you want to throw in the towel but you always remember the reason your doing it. I call it the” WHY”. I have met a number of business women who have been tremendous support in going forward.

Is there a split between men and women discussing their problems? Is one BW lookingupgender better than the other?

I would say that men and women on a whole have a different way of dealing with problems.

Women are socialised to talk openly, so will talk to friends,family and professionals. Women will talk to get the situation off their chest and look for others who may have been in the situation and may be able to give solutions.

Men are different and tend to keep it to themselves,if they do share maybe only with one other person. This may come from a view that they can deal with the issue it’s not as bad as it seems. Society creates more groups for women to socialise and chat. It is known fact that women will talk about themselves,and have general awareness. We see this with visiting the doctors women go all the time,men will going go if really pushed. Even when couples who have problems more than likely it is the woman who initiate visiting a counsellor.

Are there common issues you are seeing with clients? What is the biggest problems causing stress?

There are number of issues that surface for clients,fear is one of them the biggest one,the unknown of what will happen will all that is going on in the world. We are bombarded with doom and gloom of the antics in life,lack of job opportunities,money shortage,this all has an impact on how people live their lives,it can cause people to stay where they don’t want to be,this turns to stress. procastination,lack of confidence

What are your hopes for business in the future?

I want the business to have many tiers to it this includes coaching on a global level and employing other coaches.

You can learn more about Janet and her business at her website http://graceforlife.co.uk/