Clare’s Story
Clare’s Story
I decided to start coaching after discovering the benefits of it on my own career.
Having started out in mixed general practice and almost deciding to leave the profession within my first year, I stumbled into academia. I was extremely lucky to get a residency so early which allowed me to rediscover that I actually loved the challenge of internal medicine cases. None of my career was planned and like many of us I always felt something of an imposter. Maternity leave breaks were like time off for good behaviour but most of the time I felt I wasn’t doing a good job at being a mother either!
Even when I was promoted to Professor, I still couldn’t really believe that it hadn’t been some monumental error and tried to avoid using my title as much as possible. I was always bad at saying no and that did mean I was given a lot of opportunities – becoming clinical director of a large referral hospital and leading the small animal and equine clinical divisions at Glasgow University for many years.
During that time, I realised that my constant drive to protect my staff and do the best for the clients and pets led me close to burnout. I felt like the only reason I worked was to get the salary, and for the pension and sickness benefits (which I didn’t even use as I virtually never took time off).
When I discovered the One of Many tools, I found a new way to see my future and it really excited me. I became clear on my purpose and what I wanted to do. So, I gave up a well-paid, tenured job to run my oncology referral business whilst training as a One of Many coach, and started coaching the following year.
Life has changed immeasurably for me in this time. I work with some absolutely amazing vets and support them in differing ways – some through provision of oncology support and some through coaching support. Each day I feel inspired to make the veterinary profession a place where vets value the work they do and have the skills they need to enjoy our challenging but awesome vocation.
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“Before I started working with Clare my life felt chaotic and stressful. I felt overwhelmed by work and couldn’t see a way of getting rid of those feelings. I felt I was unable to prioritise tasks efficiently.
I felt guilty doing anything other than work as felt was continually behind. I had no time for ‘me stuff’ or for my friends or partner. I didn’t like the person I had become, I felt I was grumpy and not nice to be around. I was initially hesitant about coaching as didn’t want it to feel like counselling and was worried talking about things wouldn’t actually help and only take up more time.
However I realised that something had to give or things would only get worse. I felt I was becoming very anxious, not coping and this was really affecting me and my relationships with work colleagues and friends in a negative way.
Since working with Clare I have seen some really positive changes in myself.
I have realised that making time for myself is so important, giving myself permission to have times during day and week to meet my needs
I feel calmer, kinder, more considerateThe tools that have helped me most are soft play, hearth and realm, retiring superwoman (trying to anyway!), the need for different power types for different tasks and situations.
My life now feels better, I am not 100% there yet but a work in progress. Just like training a dog is an ongoing process, I’ve learnt that I am a work in progress, I am really striving to be the best version of myself every day.I realise now I may not always get it right but that’s ok and I can learn from this. I listen more to my team, to clients and to my family and friends. Making me look inward at myself and how I deal with situations has changed my life for the better.
I would highly recommend Clare for coaching, she has empathy and clarity, that she understands the pressure of veterinary profession and leadership has made the sessions so much easier. I look forward to continuing to work with Clare in the future.”
“I started my journey with Clare last last year after reaching a point of feeling overwhelmed and exhausted with running a business and being a busy mum.
My sessions with Clare teach me the tools to live a lighter life embracing my vulnerabilities and realising my strengths. I don’t think I would have navigated the difficult journey I have faced over the past few months without her guidance and I leave every session with her feeling lighter.
I didn’t anticipate how much her gentle coaching, empathy and understanding of the challenges faced in both my profession and being mum would help me, my family and even my work team! Can’t recommend highly enough.”
I’ve so valued this experience with Clare. She has supported me to grow, feel more trusting and confident in myself. I can see the woods for the trees, the importance of my vision and mission over and above the limiting beliefs and stuff, literal and metaphorical, that keep me pinned down in supposed safety!
I’m braver, calmer, more patient, focused and grateful than before.
“When I started Clare’s coaching course as a vet, mother, wife and business owner with a strong sense of imposter syndrome, I never imagined the impact it would have in my life.
As Clare is also a vet, wife, mother and business owner, her advice and her knowledge of how to work through each aspect of my life and pull me up have been quite life-changing. Clare has an extraordinary way of asking exactly the right questions and bringing out the very best answers through her coaching methods.
I have loved every session. I can only recommend Clare so highly to other professionals to experience exactly what I have and carry such positivity forward in every avenue of my life.”
Since undertaking the programme, I have noticed many changes in me, and with my home life. There is much less tension at home, and I am able to enjoy my life and my family much more. These changes have also filtered through to work, and I have a much clearer idea about where my life is headed and what I need to do to achieve my goals.
At the end of the programme I felt much less the victim and much more empowered to be true to myself and to ensure my needs are met. I would recommend this programme to any woman who seems to be stuck in a negative loop, but who wants to take control of their life back to make it better for them and those close to them.
Emotions in the time of COVID-19
Are you able to Keep Calm and Carry On, or Do you Lose it and then feel Guilty?
Do we need Resilience or Flexibility?
There has been a lot of discussion over the need to train veterinary professionals to become more resilient
Super Self Care
The term “Self-Care” is used widely these days as the antidote to stress in our increasingly busy lives
Declaration: As a Certified Coach, I am an Ambassador for One of Many™. This means that if you book courses or events from One of Many™, I will receive a reward. You will not ever pay anything extra. It’s their way of thanking me for sharing the great resources that One of Many™ provide.
Resources: Powertype profiling tool