What it's like, when you Start working with me...

People have often wondered what it's like when working with me - especially as I have very different roles and tasks that I take on in order to support my clients.

So as usual there are differences... but certain things are similar.

And I've come to realize that those who wish to work with me in the future would really benefit from knowing exactly what to expect - and so I thought I'd demystify the process upfront.

Typically when someone works with me, a few interesting things will happen.

The List of Why's - and Yes

I have been a list person for as long as I can remember. They are incredibly helpful when you have so many things going on.

And I make lists in the affirmative, and then in contrast too...

So I will tell you great reasons why you will want to work with me. Reasons about you and what you think and believe, reasons about me and the way that I work.

Reasons like:

• You believe that you will get further, faster by working with me
• You came to PLAY - you are about moving to the next level and you are no longer willing to NOT have what you want. You are committed to making a change. I'm a pretty full on character, and I believe in those I work with...we will turn up, or we won't work together.
• You think that I can genuinely help you. Not necessarily from a place of deficiency or lack, but because you know that you don't have to be sick to want to get better. (and you may not even be sure exactly how when you reach out, but you know that I have something that you want in your space... we can hash out the details when we talk)

I am values-led. As a person, and in the way that I work too, so these come front and centre of the conversation - so you can decide if they are the kinds of things that you can get on board with. This quote says it best...

Values like

• Excellence - so I will never let you 'just do it' - doing it properly and doing it well (not perfectly, but) the best that it can be done in that moment is important.
• Integrity - which will always see me tell the truth, even when the truth is pretty tough to hear... or tougher to say. Even if no one has ever said that to you before or even if it's the opposite of what's always told to you.
• Innovation - which calls for finding new ways, new ideas, surprising (and often simple) concepts to get game-changing results - I am not the person to work with if you have a closed mind,

These and other values will feature in our conversation, and I will ask you if you can sign up to working with and alongside someone with these principles.

The List of Why Not

Call me strange, but working with me will also see me trying to qualify you. And give you reasons Why you should NOT want to work with me.

I know that it sounds counter intuitive, because every business seems to want clients. But here's a newsflash that might take you by surprise

But I don't want clients.

At least, I don't want 'just' clients

I want incredible women who genuinely want me to join their dream team.

The chance to help and facilitate someone to turn dreams that they were too scared to say with their lips into living breathing realities is such a privilege, and so empowering - it goes far deeper than merely client - service provider relationships.

And there are millions of coaches and consultants out there - I'm not the only one. I'm not the oldest one. I'm not the one with the most certificates, or letters after their name.

But to the right women, I am the RIGHT one, and that makes me the very best one in the world for them. In their journey, at this time.

And so my task is to find the RIGHT women, not just those who want to work with me, or indeed I want to work with (and yes, I have a list!!).

If we are about to work together, we are going to spend some time together - and the spending of our time... is SO precious and SO valuable. It has to be spent right - it can never be spent twice. So I'm particular about who I spend my time with and how. I love this quote - and know it will polarize people - but it's important to know this from the outset.

I know it sounds high maintenance. And it is. But I'm protecting you too. If you are investing in working with me, it needs to be right for you too. That comes from me being particular, and protecting my energy and mind to be at it's best for those that I'm blessed to work with, and those fortunate enough to work with me.

There is a reasonable height on that barrier to entry, but some reasons why you will not want to work with me is:

1. You think that I'm a magician and you are expecting me to do all the work... the fact is, it's not my dream, it's yours. We will work together to support you to achieve it - but notice I said we will work together... If you don't understand the balance of work required, then I'm not for you. I absolutely trade in magic, the results will be magical - but I'm not a sorcerer, a magician, and I don't sell
2. You don't want to make any changes, or try anything new. The fact is that you are likely to have done well already, but what got you here won't get you there... and if you knew what to do, you would have done it already. If you are not even willing to try new things ... I'm not the person for you. I have some of the weirdest combinations that you would ever have seen. I trained as a musician (flute, grade 8), competed in sport at the highest levels, I am so obsessed with Natural history, I've know the layout of the London museum by heart since I was as a child. I studied Economics and finance. I like spreadsheets and brushstrokes. Latin was one of the most useful things I learnt at school . I am a Black woman. I used to be so shy that I couldn't answer the phone as a teenager. - I have a weird and wonderful mix of knowledge and experiences, I draw on those to your advantage, if that's too weird and wonderful for you - then we are not a good match.
3. You don't see the value in what I do. I know that I offer good value for money, across the board. And I'll give you several chances to see it. Understand it and get onboard with it. But I also understand that value is less about money, and more about VALUES... If I explain it, and you don't get it... then I respect that - and we should probably keep it rolling.

Then it all Starts with a Plan

"If you fail to plan you plan to fail" - is a really powerful saying that I believe in whole heartedly, and no matter what we do together, the very first thing we are likely to work on is a plan.

It's ironic, because I also believe in this too:

Plans are useless, but planning is priceless

But working with me starts with a plan...

• A plan to succeed
• A plan for the obstacles
• A plan to thrive in your life as well as your business
• A plan of what to do when you don't know what to do
• A plan for different scenarios
• A plan for when life gets in the way
• A plan to make that dream a reality, in tiny little steps
• A plan to go full force
• A plan to manage your emotions
• A plan to deal with you, and get you out of your own way
• A plan for when the plan doesn't work
• A plan that excites and inspires you
• A plan that makes things achievable, and attainable, while challenging and stretching you.
• A plan for each precious time you have to focus on this, so nothing is wasted.
• A plan to see you THRIVE

No matter what we do together, I start with a planning process - it's always the first piece of paid work we do together. I offer different styles and levels of support - but the plan is where it begins...

Because once we make the plan, then you can work the plan. Your roadmap to success is outlined

That's the difference that makes the difference.

A plan that makes your success inevitable. That deals with the laughs, tears, jokes and PTA baking that will happen along the way!

Feel free to DM me if you want to find out more about getting me on your dream team, and getting that road map in place.

I'm not for everyone... but if you've been waiting for a sign that I might be for you...

(that picture makes me laugh every time I see it - it's so daft!! - Love it!!)