Turn and Face the Strange
Julia Shepherd
A fully qualified Financial Adviser and Teacher working as a Money Expert helping people master their finances, deal with debt, and finally feel in control of their money and their lives
'I can do anything I set my mind to' GS 2 Sept 2023
This weekend after 18 years and 6 months of super company, I dropped my daughter off to University and her Halls of Residence. (The TV room was a bit of a Prisoner Cell Block H experience but most communal buildings are functional to the point of soul lessness.)
In retrospect, I’d probably do most of the parenting and those 18 years differently but as she was the learner baby, we failed forward together.
My daughter is where she wants to be starting a Graduate Traineeship in Engineering and I think, has the tools she needs to survive the next stages. Fingers crossed.
Her journey to the apprenticeship was not easy. I facilitated in as much as I provided company for a couple of London trips and crept about silently crouching (trying to myself work) in the background while she was being interviewed online. I may have flung the odd sandwich in her direction too.
What she DID do was join an organisation called Young Professionals and attended meet the employer events. She kept an open mind and undertook weeklong work experiences online for Lawyers, Airlines and Accountancy firms. She attended an interview in London at a private bank and undertook and submitted projects to be able to participate in sponsored ‘women in STEM, courses. We looked at the University offer, visiting two, and she found the courses, campuses and cost all wanting. My daughter cleared out every cupboard. We calculated student loans and talked about interest rates and income potential and the impact of those loans on her potential wages ongoing. Every opportunity offered to her was taken and held up to the light and discussed. The pros and cons considered.
But really it came down to this. My daughter had a vision and a goal, she put the steps in place and made sure she completed the steps, there were contingencies and sliding doors possibilities. Failure for her would be a redirection or a wait, not a rejection (there were definite moments of self-doubt post A level- pre-Results was a shaky time so camping and bar work at the Reading Festival helped with distraction), she was open to other possibilities. Most of all she was disciplined. ?None of this really can be taught directly but it can be coached and/or demonstrated and talked about.
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So, with her off and busy it’s time for me to reflect on what I have learned in those 18 years and count the skills and strengths I may have gained and to use them in my coaching so that others can find ways to reach their goals.
Mostly though I am going to act. I have my vision and my goals.
September sees the launch of a Money Grows with Trees walking group where the focus is on Financial Wellbeing in the fresh air.
A one off ‘Head First’ Money Mindset Workshop
Two six week courses WIFE (Women into Financial Empowerment) Widows, Carers and Divorcees and WIFE pre and Post Natal! – You can even bring your babies! Please bring the babies.
All in person and fun and interactive and potentially life changing. I look forward to seeing you in person at one or several of them.
Julia is a Financial Educator, Coach and Mentor and runs I Depend on Me Ltd