Hey girls! Today I wanna spill the tea on my experience with career coaching and how it’s been a total game-changer in my journey of climbing that corporate ladder.
You know, when I first started out in my career, I was like a lost puppy. I had these big dreams of making it big, but I had no clue how to actually get there. I was constantly doubting myself, wondering if I was good enough, smart enough, or if I even belonged in that cutthroat corporate world.
One day, I finally decided to take the plunge and seek out career coaching. And let me tell you, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! My coach was this amazing woman who just got me from the get-go. She didn’t sugarcoat things, but she also didn’t make me feel like I was a total failure.
She started by helping me figure out my strengths. I mean, we all have things we’re good at, but sometimes we’re so focused on our weaknesses that we forget about our superpowers. She made me list out all the things I was proud of achieving, no matter how small they seemed. And you know what? I realized I had a whole bunch of skills and qualities that I could use to my advantage in the workplace.
Like, I’m really good at listening to people. I used to think that was just a normal thing, but she pointed out that it’s a huge asset when it comes to working in teams. I can pick up on what others are feeling and thinking, and that helps me communicate better with them. And communication is key in any job, right?
Then, we worked on setting goals. But not just any goals. She taught me to set SMART goals – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Before that, I was just like, “I want to be successful.” But what does that even mean? With her guidance, I was able to break it down. For example, I set a goal to complete a major project within three months and to get a certain amount of positive feedback from my colleagues on it.
And let me tell you, having those clear goals made such a difference. I wasn’t just floating around aimlessly anymore. I had a roadmap, and I was determined to follow it.
Another thing that career coaching helped me with was my confidence. I used to be so shy and hesitant to speak up in meetings. I was afraid of saying something stupid or getting criticized. But my coach worked with me on building my self-esteem. She made me practice speaking in front of a mirror, pretending I was in a meeting and making my points clearly and confidently.
She also told me to focus on my body language. Standing up straight, making eye contact, and using my hands to emphasize my points. It sounds simple, but it really made a huge impact. The next time I was in a meeting, I felt like a whole new person. I was able to share my ideas without that nagging voice in my head telling me I wasn’t good enough.
Networking was another area that I struggled with. I always thought it was this sleazy thing where people were just trying to use each other. But my coach explained that networking is really about building genuine relationships. She taught me how to start conversations with people at work events, how to find common interests, and how to follow up afterwards.
I started going to more industry events, and instead of hiding in the corner, I was out there mingling. I met some amazing people who have become not only great contacts but also good friends. And you never know when those connections will open doors for you in your career.
One of the biggest challenges I faced was dealing with setbacks. There were times when I didn’t get the promotion I wanted, or a project I was working on failed miserably. I used to get so down on myself and think that it was the end of the world. But my coach helped me see these setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow.
She made me analyze what went wrong, what I could have done differently, and how I could apply those lessons in the future. Instead of dwelling on the failure, I was able to pick myself up and keep moving forward.
Now, I’m still climbing that ladder, but I feel so much more equipped to handle whatever comes my way. I’m not saying it’s been easy. There have been tough days, long hours, and plenty of stress. But having that career coaching in my corner has made all the difference.
So, to all you amazing women out there who are thinking about taking that next step in your careers, I highly recommend giving career coaching a try. It might just be the boost you need to reach for the stars! 💖