People sometimes ask me what efficiency coaching is. Which I completely understand, because I made up the term to describe what I know I’m good at helping people with. But who better to tell you what efficiency coaching is – and isn’t – than someone who’s experienced it.
When Libby (the Director of a national consultancy; Libby is not her real name) first approached me about coaching, she was juggling what felt like too many responsibilities. She knew she was very skilled at saying “yes” and found herself squeezing more and more responsibilities into her time. She was busy, and she was tired.
What were you struggling with in terms of time, energy, focus, efficiency or clarity before you first talked with Nicola?
I was finding it difficult to concentrate on the more technical or “heavy” reviewing/analysis tasks and I would easily get distracted by texts, emails and social media from all parts of my life. I was finding certain aspects of work and voluntary roles difficult, including certain personalities and approaches.
What did you enjoy or find most helpful about your efficiency coaching sessions?
I felt validated that I was juggling a lot, and many aspects of my life hold significant responsibility. I really appreciated the solid hour long sessions, which were enough to cover the key matters, but also provide time to delve into things a little more deeply, providing some useful revelations.
What impact did coaching have on the issues you were initially challenged by?
I feel armed with a set of tools to apply not only when things get pressured, but to apply to my day to day life. I understood a huge amount more about myself, including how I react to both criticism and positive feedback. This isn’t a magic cure for life’s inherent busyness, but it helped me to understand that I control the activities I take on, the way I react to feedback and that I can make decisions throughout the day and at a big picture level which will positively affect how much I feel in control. I was pleased to see how far I had come over the course of the sessions.
How would you describe Nicola and her approach to working with you?
Nicola takes her role seriously – this is not just a talk fest. She applies research and science to the struggles identified which provide useful understanding, and she provides genuinely useful solutions. Nicola doesn’t pretend to have all the answers, nor is she pedalling a certain theory or approach.
Nicola has a wonderful non-judgmental, calm, supportive manner which demonstrates her intelligent positivity to the challenges being discussed. These sessions provide a rare opportunity to allow someone to take stock, slow down and identify what is important in life. She is the master of the silence – giving time for thoughts to develop and issues to be pondered over.
Who do you think would most benefit from coaching with Nicola and how/why?
Anyone who feels they are not in good control of the various aspects/responsibilities in their lives. In particular people with high pressure roles and responsibilities. Ideal for those people who put pressure on themselves to succeed and always be outwardly in control.
Any other comments?
Good luck for developing your business further Nicola – I am sure many people will benefit from your well researched, calm and positive approach.
- Libby
Thank you so much for your lovely words Libby, and for allowing me to share them.
If you would like to see what other clients have said after working with me, there are lots of other perspectives here. And if efficiency coaching sounds like something you’d like to know more about, you can read all about it on this page.
If you’d like to cut to the chase and find out if working with me might be a good fit for you, I would love to hear from you – you can apply here.
Nicola
