Success is not linear- Unlocking Possibilities weekly news issue 9

It's ok if your progress looks and feels a little bit different in this season. Progress isn't linear. So give yourself grace you are doing a good job (author unknown)

A level results week

So this week has been A level results and many young people will be buzzing with excitement confirming their University places or job offers and looking forward to a bright future. ??

There will also be many other young people who were disappointed with their results and will be thinking about plan B. Perhaps a gap year for travelling or work. Or a resit year and a chance to reassess what they want.

I was in the latter category back in 1993.

There is no failure only feedback

After passing just enough GCSE's to follow my friends to sixth form for A levels, I quickly realised it wasn't for me. I wasn't particularly what you would deem as 'academic' in school. I did enough to get by, I kept my head down and didn't cause any trouble but I was in the 'middle of the road' category that didn't fail but didn't thrive either.

Back in 1993 leaving sixth form where all of my friends were, felt like I was a failure. Gaining work full time in the DWP and part time as a waitress wasn't really what I had planned. So whilst my friends were starting year 2 at sixth form, I tried again at another college only to leave after 9 months with a grade E and U.

At 18 it was hard not to feel in despair, lost and like a failure compared to my friends. Of course hindsight 20/20 has given me a fresh perspective and understanding but it was very difficult at the time. Two failed attempts at studying for A levels left me wondering what do. By this point my friends were planning University and I was a head waitress at Pizzaland. Whilst there was nothing wrong with this, I didn't see myself with a future working in hospitality.

At school I loved childcare classes and wished that I had pursued a career in early years education. With this in mind I applied to be a children's holiday rep and headed for London for an interview with Thompsons. Unfortunately I didn't get the job so went back to the drawing board! A friend introduced me to 'the Lady' magazine where I began searching for jobs in Europe as an au pair. 3 months later I was on a plane to Belgium and spent two exciting and life enhancing years working with several families living in Belgium.

Upon my return at 21 I moved to Leeds for a year where I completed a foundation course and then to UCLAN Preston, to complete a degree in Psychology where I graduated 3 years later with a 2:1 BSc honours degree.

My studies and learning continued as I became a teacher of Psychology and then a teacher within Health and social care becoming the programme leader for level 1 child care students which I loved .This career spanned over almost 2 decades and alongside my teaching career I ran a Psychotherapy practice specialising in anxiety and depression.

What is meant for you will happen

You can see by my non linear route to success that I intuitively knew what was meant for me but like many of us I got lost along the way. I loved early years but thought I had to go and complete A levels. I loved Psychology but didn't believe I was clever enough to follow this path. Things always have a way of working out though when we trust the process.

We often think that success is linear and that there is only one route to get to where we want to. If you are like me and have many years of experience to draw from, you will have realised that this is rarely the case. Success is not linear and it is also different for everyone.

So wherever you are right now, know that there is always a solution to a problem and that things will work out. I'm 50 in 9 weeks and am still enjoying this fascinating journey of life working it out as I go along. Life is a precious experience and the more we can embrace its surprise and uncertainty, the easier it is to navigate.

Unlocking Possibilities student success

Kerry Bridges has recently completed her NLP practitioner and will be embarking on her Master Practitioner starting in November. She is also a member of our coaching collective and takes part in the group supervision sessions.

Here is what she has to say ??

Having been a teacher for 30 years, I had reached the stage where the job had taken over my life and I felt stuck.? I knew that something had to change, but I had no idea how it would happen.? At that time, I had seen Sarah speaking about NLP and how it had really helped her in her teaching job and I thought “what have I got to lose?”.?

I signed up for the NLP Diploma for my own personal development and, once I saw how powerful even 3 days could be, I realised that it could not only benefit me, but it could be something that I could bring to the education space to really support my colleagues and the wider education community.

Since then, I have completed by NLP Practitioner training, will start Master Practitioner in November and, very excitingly, have started my own coaching business “The Teachers’ Wellbeing Coach” where I am on a mission to support 100 teachers by the end of 2024.? Not only do I feel clearer about my personal choices, but I have also become convinced that coaching is something that must be available to anyone who works in the education field, and I am on a mission to make it happen! Without NLP and Sarah, none of this would have been possible and I urge everyone to start their NLP journey as soon as they are able.

Amazing work! Kerry is so passionate about her work in Education and we are delighted that she chose to train with us. She is making incredible waves with her NLP training in the Education sector and we look forward to supporting her on her master practitioner.

Kerry is offering a free 5 day challenge in her facebook group HERE helping teachers to find balance and take care of their wellbeing.

The September NLP Diploma is fast approaching!

What do people who have trained with us say? You can read reviews on TRUSTPILOT and FACEBOOK.

The NLP Diploma is our flagship personal development course taking you on a 3 day exciting and enlightening journey of personal and professional development.

This is for anyone with a thirst and hunger for personal transformation who wants to know the 'how to' Psychology of personal success.

The NLP Diploma is certified with ANLP INTERNATIONAL CIC and is the first module of the NLP practitioner should you want to continue your NLP studies. The September dates are 13-15th and you can attend in person at our training venue in Blackpool, or online from anywhere. All 3 days must be attending for certification.

Find out more and book your place HERE

SIGN UP to the FREE NLP series Sept 9th and 10th for your introductory session on NLP for coaching, leadership, education and personal transformation. If you can't make the online sessions live then you can watch them on replay. These will be sent to you after the event.

Sign up HERE

Unlock your Potential with the KISS Your LIFE live event

Following on from the success of my number 1 best selling book KISS Your Life and the Live event in Blackpool in May, we are doing it AGAIN!?

?? Join me for 90 minutes of coaching where I will be once again bringing my book to life on the stage, showing you HOW to unlock your Potential and live an INCREDIBLE life!?

??Reprogramme your subconscious mind for SUCCESS

??ACHIEVE your dreams and goals

??FREE yourself from limiting beliefs and live life to the fullest

When: Sept 10th? 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm)?

Where: The Waterloo music bar Blackpool FY4 2AF?

Cost: ￡25?Book your ticket HERE

?Unlocking Possibilities with NLP & coaching podcast

There was no podcast episode this week but you can catch up with the other 75 episodes on SPOTIFY and APPLE. You can also watch some of them on YOU TUBE

Keep an eye out on my linkedIn page for what's on in the Autumn as we have our mBIT coach certification, coaching membership, NLP master practitioner and much more.

CAN YOU HELP?

We are also looking to connect with organisations who have mental wellbeing as an integral part of their culture.

I spent 15 years working as an associate therapist for DWP when I ran my private psychotherapy and hypnotherapy practice. I was a UKCP registered therapist which meant that I’d completed training, CPD and supervision that met their ethical standards and requirements for registration.

I specialised in anxiety, depression, burnout and stress working 1-1 with staff within organisations who were at risk of going off sick, or who were returning back to work after a period of sickness.

This work ran alongside my teaching career where I was a programme leader in further education and mental health specialist.

This year I brought together my extensive training, passion and 20 years experience and wrote a book, to help people improve their mental well-being and live happier and more successful lives

I’m looking for organisations who care about the mental wellness of their people to share my book with through workshops and speaking opportunities. The sessions are engaging, fun and practical and leave people feeling empowered and excited about what’s possible.

If you’d like to know more then please reach out and let’s chat. Email [email protected] to arrange a virtual or in person meet up. Together we can make a positive impact on mental wellness for all ??

As always thank you for being here, we appreciate you taking the time to read our news.

Until next week, have a wonderful week.

Sarah & the Unlocking Possibilities team