Try Some Vitamin D!

At a recent workshop I attended we were all asked to give each other feedback at the end of the 2-day session; one of the other participants told me I was like sunshine! It was a lovely thing to hear. Other people have said similar things in the past. Perhaps it’s no coincidence that I was christened Dawn.

When I was little I was full of energy, excitement, hope and optimism. An exceptionally bright child, always smiling, school soon managed to dampen my enthusiasm and taught me how to toe the line. I conformed (almost!) to the school sausage machine and somehow, in the process, lost something immeasurably valuable. I lost the ability to connect with my instincts: my innate energy and purpose. I learned how it feels to be bored, constrained, criticised and made to feel not quite good enough. I stayed the course, got the grades and even managed to excel, but my life force had been shut back in its box. I felt disconnected from myself, just doing what everyone else seemed to be doing and hoping that at some point it would start to feel good.

Not surprising then that life felt challenging and uphill. My university and career choices were made by default, my employment opportunities pursued from the wrong values, my discomfort, stress and levels of dissonance only increased.

Luckily for me life gave me a second bite of the apple and this time I used it to follow my dream.

I re-built my life when I was 33, after a diagnosis of aggressive breast cancer prompted me to step aside from my Management Consultancy business. A strong voice in my head – one that I’d been ignoring – told me that I was on the wrong track, and that my survival depended on finding it.

Up to that point I’d had a conventional career path. After studying for a degree in Management Sciences I made a career in marketing, PR and attitudinal research, working for some of the big names in financial services and eventually establishing a London-based Management Consultancy, serving UK Blue Chip organisations, with my business partner, Nick Briggs. I’d always yearned for something different – something more – but felt it was out of reach… impractical… unrealistic.

Somewhere inside my head was a belief that it’s difficult to make a living doing what you love. It took critical illness to stop me in my tracks and make me explore the path that my subconscious was urging me to take. I’ve dedicated my life since then to doing what I love and I want to help you do the same, in a way which is rewarding on all the important levels.

I had always had a strong desire to do exciting and rewarding work, but after my recovery from cancer my values changed: it was more about human potential and less about business potential.

I moved into the world of complementary therapy – re-training first of all as a nutritional therapist, then working as a tutor and lecturer in that field, supporting other to change career. I enjoyed my work and the sense of purpose behind it. I got an enormous buzz from supporting people to move towards a life they loved.

After a while I started to notice that many of the students I had been teaching were not going into practice. They were staying in their old jobs and trying to practice one day a week, or at the weekends: they felt that they couldn’t make it as complementary therapists. There was no lack of enthusiasm but there was a lack of confidence that the financial side of the business could stack up.

Later on, when I did my Professional Coach training I discovered the same pattern: a lot of people with plenty of drive to change the world, all the right qualifications and not enough customers.

I reflected on my own history of running several successful businesses both before and after my life change and realised that I had the experience to help. What’s more I also had the inside knowledge of exactly what it takes to set up in business as a complementary therapist while keeping tight hold of your values. I understood and shared the altruistic attitude that can make it difficult to take a commercial view of a business primarily motivated to help others. It’s a delicate balance.

It took a while before the penny dropped: I realised that my true value and motivation was inspiring all these caring people to pursue their purpose and turn it into a practical way to make a living. I could help them bridge the gap between gaining their qualifications and running a successful business. And I really can’t think of a better way to spend my time!

Vocation Location has condensed that knowledge into an inspiring and motivating journey. It’s perfect for people who approach life heart first instead of head first: the caring professions, therapists of all types, coaches, and people who make their living out of making a real connection and a real difference in people’s lives.

My background in Business Management working and consulting for British blue-chips forms the bedrock of the programme; my extensive knowledge as a practitioner and lecturer in Nutritional Therapy lends a healthy perspective; a lifetime of experience in marketing, branding and (social) media provides creative energy and technological flair; and my skill as a Professional Coach creates the perfect environment for you to shine. My own career has varied widely between employment and self-employment, working in business, education and health care. I’m a director of a clothing business and I supplement my income with property development. In my free time, you’ll find me directing amateur productions and playing clarinet in a band. I’ve also published a cook book whose proceeds all went to charity.

If you’re interested why not book a free phone call to explore the idea further. Call me now to plan a more fulfilling future on 01892 512842.