Testimonials
Hi Anna, I just wanted to say thank you again for helping me through a tricky patch, it really means so much. I will endeavour to move forwards with compassion for myself, taking time to listen and notice my emotions and actions.
I found our session genuinely helpful and grounding. It was valuable to have the space to reflect on my transition into the new role, as well as to explore how past workplace experiences have influenced the way I approach challenges today. I felt listened to and supported, particularly when discussing anxiety, overthinking, and confidence, and I appreciated the balance between exploring these themes and recognising progress and achievements.
The practical tools we discussed were especially useful. I’ve already started reflecting on which of them resonate most with me, and I’m keen to experiment further with the gratitude journaling, self-talk, and stress-regulation techniques you shared. I found your approach compassionate and empowering, which made it easier to engage openly with the process.
I feel stronger and more confident after reading your book – I realise now that the life I have is the results of the decisions I have made in the past. Reading your book has helped me to deal with the worries I have about my mum. I want to read the book again because so far has helped me to get to know myself better.
I have also learned about the importance of decluttering my mind – I know that the mind is very powerful and the quality of my thoughts makes a huge difference to the quality of my life. Thank you, Anna.
Anthony is a very successful solopreneur in the building industry. He is a millionaire. The joy, fulfilment, and benefits of his business success are negatively impacted by family circumstances that he wants to change. He has hired me to coach him on how to deal with personal issues that clearly are not working for him. As part of the process, he has created an affirmation that gives him power: ‘I feel free, loving and authentic with my family.’
Anthony has identified specific actions that will make a difference in achieving this goal and move things forward with his family.
Brian is a successful professional who deals with compliance. He is highly trained and effective. We have worked together for a number of years. One day I happened to be in his office, and I was rather surprised to see him behaving in a flustered and agitated manner. I asked whether he was ok to which he replied, ‘This client drives me mad! Do I really need all this aggravation?’ I asked him whether he would be prepared to work with me and get to the bottom of his frustration. He agreed.
I asked him to describe his relationship with this client, and what it was that he found difficult and frustrating. Brian replied, ‘He is so demanding and pedantic, he reminds me of my father!’ He then started laughing. He realised that this client was triggering emotions he felt when he was younger, dealing with his father. This had been going on for a long time, and there was a real danger that he would let the client go, just because the relationship was not as Brian wanted it to be. We did some more work on the whole issue, and he adopted a simple strategy that, whenever he had to contact this client, in addition to the technical element of the call, he would prepare himself mentally to ensure that he would not fall into the trap of being triggered.
Brian also acknowledged that, although his reaction to this client was quite extreme and strong, there was a common pattern in his reaction to other clients, and how he reacted to their demands. The practice of preparing himself emotionally before talking to this and other clients has paid off. Brian has been able to manage his reactions to their demands to such an extent that, to this day, he experiences an increased level of mental clarity and effectiveness. He no longer suffers from frustration and annoyance at the end of phone conversations. He has been using one of my strategies, StopByDesign, which includes acknowledging the current circumstances as well as the emotional implications of the situation in hand. Brian’s awareness of the possible triggers and his willingness for these not to be reactivated, give him real control over his emotions. Over time, the intensity of his negative emotions has diminished.
I started working with Andrew 9 months after he left his job to start a HR consultancy business. He was clear about what he was offering, and what he wanted to do, but when it came to sending out proposals, he would procrastinate. After several conversations, it became clear that, although he had left his job, he was still holding a sense of resentment and disappointment towards his ex-boss. There was unfinished business that he had to deal with.
He recalled a very uncomfortable incident when he was still employed. He thought he had dealt with it, but clearly the impact of his upset was still at the back of his mind.
He recounted that during a reorganizational phase within the previous company he worked for, he was asked to write his own job description for his new role. He spent much time and effort in coming up with something he was excited about. He submitted the proposal and the new job description was approved. Within three months a conflict arose between Andrew and his boss. He would plan something based on the agreed role, and his boss would ask for something else.
Andrew felt quite confused. It got to the point when he said to his boss: ‘I am just following what we agreed I should be doing.’ The boss replied: ‘I make the final decisions, and this is what you do.’ This reply contradicted what had been agreed. Feeling extremely frustrated, Andrew decided to leave the company.
We considered the impact and implication of Andrew’s emotional reaction to the circumstances of him leaving the company. He took ownership and responsibility for what had happened, and recognised that rather than communicating with his boss about the discrepancy between his job description and what his boss was asking him to do, he had stayed silent and complained about it to colleagues, friends, and family.
Part of Andrew’s action plan was for him to get in touch with his ex-boss, to find out what really went on during this reorganisation. Initially, Andrew was quite reluctant, and could not see the point in this. We discussed the importance of not letting thwarted conversations linger. He decided to make an appointment with his ex-boss and went to see him. Beforehand, we mocked the conversation he was going to have with his ex- boss, Andrew was able to clarify his thought process which gave him the opportunity to practise communicating in a way that would not come across as resentful and upset.
The meeting happened. It was very useful for Andrew to discover what was going on during the period prior to him leaving the company. He realised that the conclusions he had drawn about his boss’s behaviour did not reflect accurately the facts. This conversation made a huge difference, so much so that his ex-boss was able to provide useful connections that led to Andrew obtaining his largest major client to date.
As a chartered accountant, Martin wanted to develop his own training company. He had the necessary training and expertise, and had identified a gap in the market. His intention was to make use of freelance trainers and subcontractors. However hard he tried though, he seemed unable to find the right people to work with. He would get as far as drafting contracts, and then something would happen that meant the arrangements didn’t go ahead.
Martin felt rather frustrated and despondent. We worked together over a period of a few months. He identified his main limiting belief to be: ‘People can’t be trusted. They only connect with you when they want something from you.’ This went back to a series of incidents that happened when he was training as an accountant.
I asked Martin to consider in what other areas trust was missing, and the impact this was having on his business and personal life. Martin also agreed to be in communication with the people he was involved with during his training. Within a short period of time, Martin obtained a level of mental clarity that made a huge difference to the success of his company.
I worked with Loretta for 6 months. She was in her mid-20s, and worked as a Customer Service Manager within a medium size retail company. Although she was proud of her success and the way she was treated, she felt unfulfilled and wanted a change. She decided that she wanted to go into teaching.
Loretta completed the necessary research to narrow down where to go and what to do. However, I realised that something was not quite right when she missed a session, and was not keeping to her promises. We decided to look at what was going on in the background that perhaps she had not considered. Why was she sabotaging herself? As we went through a process of uncovering the possible blocks, she suddenly remembered that years earlier, when she was considering her career choices, she had investigated teaching. At some stage, she had created a belief that women only go into teaching so that they can combine work with family life, and Loretta had decided that this was something she would not do.
Years later, this belief contradicted her renewed interest in teaching! This was a great revelation to her, and the shift in her thinking and actions was remarkable. Within a short space of time she was able to secure a teaching job!
Anna has been acting as my personal Life Coach and mentor since January 2020. The transformation in my life has been nothing short of remarkable. When we started this journey together, I felt like I had a powerful new car but no clear destination. I had just moved offices with the intention of expanding my business, and I was at a crossroads, feeling stuck both personally and professionally.
Anna’s coaching and mentoring have been a game-changer. She approached my circumstances objectively, helping me acknowledge my achievements and verbalize my short and long-term goals. Together, we identified the gaps between where I was to where I wanted to be, exploring various aspects of my life – from my professional work to relationships and health.
As an experienced lawyer, I can liken Anna’s coaching and mentoring to that of a coach training an Olympic athlete. I have won many races in life, and now, with Anna’s support, I’m tackling even more significant challenges in both personal and professional development.
Anna’s listening skills, consistency, and unique techniques, including introducing me to energy medicine, allowed me to focus on the actions needed to reach the next professional level. Despite the challenges of the lockdown, I maintained excellent energy and good vibrations, implementing my plans successfully.
Moreover, Anna’s guidance extended beyond the professional realm. I achieved incredible results in my relationship with my ex-husband, especially concerning our daughter. Thanks to Anna’s coaching and mentoring, I experienced a newfound sense of peace and harmony that was previously unthinkable.
What sets Anna apart is her approach – a spontaneous and conscious process that considers personal aspirations and inclinations. It’s not about forcing change but enhancing what truly matters, allowing me to honour myself in the process.
During my coaching and mentoring journey with Anna, I also experienced a challenging period marked by poor physical health, emotional turmoil, and the termination of a disempowering relationship.
This implied the reality of making very important and long term choices. Anna supported me in creating a team around me and I have been able to navigate the challenges with resolve and a commitment to deal with whatever I was required to face.
I have been able to tackle financial matters head-on, bringing clarity to the financial health of my practice. Anna’s ability to integrate personal and financial development into the coaching and mentoring process added a layer of depth and authenticity to our work together.
In essence, Anna’s coaching and mentoring consists in a holistic approach that encourages embracing challenges, fostering not only business advancement but personal growth as well. Anna’s approach revolves around creating a life of harmony and purpose, a philosophy that became evident in every aspect of our coaching and mentoring journey.
I am deeply grateful for Anna’s unwavering support throughout this transformative period. Her guidance has been instrumental in propelling me towards success and fulfilment. For anyone ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth, I wholeheartedly recommend Anna’s coaching and mentoring services.
Thank you, Anna, for being the guiding light on my path to a more purposeful and successful life and look forward to 2024 with enthusiasm and power.
