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"When I first met Anji I had experienced two serious setbacks in my life, and had lost the vision to
develop and focus on my career, and did not know how to change things for the best.
I was in desperate need to talk to someone honestly without being pre judged, and Anji's
coaching techniques were perfect for my situation, being both professional and sensitive,
giving me a mental platform to prepare for future opportunities.
Anji helped me to address my problems in a sympathetic and constructive way, consistently
challenging me with questions and exercises, often outside of my comfort zone. This made me
clarify what I really wanted from my work - life balance, and define the values I have.
Most importantly, I would like to thank you for all your encouragement,
your compassionate nature and drive to succeed with your coachee are
always at the forefront of your mind. The transformation that happened to
me can happen to others too.
I now can approach my new teaching career with increased confidence and motivation knowing that I have the tools to tackle the job properly!"
Sarah – Career shift from Graphic Designer to Teacher
"I was unsure and disheartened about my career direction but with Anji's help I realised where my
passion truly lay – in publishing. The three months of coaching that I had with Anji were intensive
and highly productive and I felt rewarded for the progress I made at each stage even if it was a small
triumph. I was encouraged to overcome my phone phobia and approach potential employees proactively, and
Anji gave me some extremely useful research hints and advice on my CV and cover letter, both of which have
attracted very positive recognition from interviewers and my new employers alike.
After I resigned from the job I'd had for five years, I spent three months in a position in an investment
company whilst looking for my next move. During that time I had a fantastic offer of a new position as
an editor for a prominent children's publisher that I took immediately, and have now held for five months
and I enjoy even despite the occasional pressures.
I'd like to thank Anji for being a great, positive coach and for giving me new perspectives on the job
hunting process. It has certainly paid off."
All the best
Beth – Children's Book Publisher
"When I began my coaching with Anji back in the summer of 2007, I was stuck in a rut, desperate for a
change but lacking the confidence to be able to take the necessary steps. With little belief in my skills
and their value outside the organisation in which I had spent the last 12 years, I had no idea where to
take my career next.
Things couldn't be more different today following 10 months of coaching with Anji. Coaching has helped me
to understand myself better, from my values to my strengths, it has helped me gain greater clarity and
focus about my career path, and most of all, coaching has helped me take the steps to make positive changes
to my career!
Early in our coaching relationship, Anji picked up on my passion to help those in Africa and encouraged me
to explore it as a career opportunity, despite my initial misgivings. However, it became clear through our
work that a move into the charity sector was a real option. Having identified the areas best suited to my
skills by attending a course, transferring to the voluntary sector became the focus of the job search
strategy Anji and I worked on. As a result of this work, I decided to take a short sabbatical from my job
to volunteer for a charity as a way to gain experience. This has now led to me getting a permanent job at
the same charity and leaving the financial services company I had worked for virtually since graduation.
With hindsight, it all seems to have happened relatively easily but at the time a lot of hard work went in
to it.
Not only is Anji a lovely person, she was a fantastic coach to have by my side over the course of my journey.
Her belief in me and the value of my skills was a constant source of encouragement. She kept me focused on
my development plan and she pushed me when I needed it, for example, when I was struggling to write a CV,
Anji wouldn’t let me give up, even though I wanted to! Of course, I'm grateful now because I have a great
CV which has already proved its worth. My coaching experience was made all the more rich and rewarding
because Anji gave me lots of suggestions for research tracks and additional reading and I enjoyed exploring
these.
I can honestly say that as a result of my coaching with Anji, I have much more confidence in myself and my
abilities. Not only do I feel liberated from my old job and all the constraints that went with it, I can now
"feel the fear but do it anyway" – I've left my old comfort zone, taken risks and realised that your
confidence grows with each risk you take. I will always be grateful to Anji for having helped me break the
cycle and in the process, given me some great tools to use when I make my next career change! Thanks Anji!"
Anissa – Career shift from Financial services to Charity sector.
"Anji is an amazing transformational coach. She was very systematic in getting to know me, taking me
through all sorts of tools to assess skills, strengths, values, vision and dreams. She helped me to reprocess
past successes and failures. She suggested some fantastic materials to stimulate presence and connection and
put me in touch with some great people doing cutting edge work on values, presence, connection, potential and
energetics.
Some things were challenging and definitely outside my comfort zone, but because I trusted her, I threw
myself into it and was very well rewarded as a result. I now have a much clearer sense of direction and a
stronger foundation upon which to build.
Anji manages to be both very sensitive, kind and extremely direct, adaptable and practical at the same time.
She really listens but doesn't tolerate much self-indulgence or negativity. She is firmly focussed upon
bringing about transformational change in her clients. She has a wealth of experience and is extremely
professional. I thoroughly recommend her."
Nick – Psychiatrist
"Working with Anji over the last few months has had an incredibly positive effect upon me and upon
my business.
I feel as if I am now in control of my business, rather than it being in control of me. This has brought
me much more fulfilment, both personally and financially.
It's also empowered me to make some fairly significant life changes. I've been stuck in a rut for a
number of years, and Anji helped me find my own way out.
I would recommend Anji's Career Coaching to anyone who is ready to push themselves and their business,
but would benefit from a guide who’ll help them find the best direction."
Zoe – Marketing Consultant
"Dear Anji
I am pleased to be able to provide this testimonial letter for you.
Over the 18 months that you were my 'coach's coach' you provided me with a wealth of guidance from your
own coaching experience. Specifically, your coaching helped me by providing an objective input that helped
me to deal with some challenging client issues and challenges in developing my own business.
Your coaching helped me to develop greater resolve to issues that I otherwise would have avoided or handled
with less confidence.
The thing that I valued and enjoyed most about your coaching was the positive and encouraging approach that
you always displayed.
The most valuable ongoing contribution that your coaching has made is helping me to maintain a positive,
forward-looking approach to my own business and my work with my own clients. Consequently, I feel that
I have grown in stature.
Thank you for your considerable contribution to developing me and my business.
With best wishes"
Jonathan – ActionCoach Business Coaching
"Prior to the coaching I received from Anji I was sceptical about how useful it would be; I decided to
give it a go as I was struggling to reach a decision about my work/life balance. I knew something needed
to change in my life but I wasn’t sure what. My work with Anji helped me to make a decision that I feel
comfortable with and I now have a job closer to home. This decision has re-energised me and I have set clear
goals for the future, both in work and outside work. After all there’s more to life than commuting and late
night working!!
Even though Anji concentrated on the next career move, we discussed this in the context of every aspect of
my life, enabling me to set my own priorities. She helped me generate options that previously I couldn't see.
She did this in a non judgemental way using careful questioning and a variety of tools. Ironically (and
maybe a surprise to some) my new job looks like a step back on paper, however, this has enabled me to achieve
things outside work that I wouldn't have been able to a few months ago. Anji didn’t judge the decision and
respected what life I wanted for myself. She did keep me on my toes though…!
Since completing the 6 month coaching period in 2008 I have seen a profound difference in my confidence
and my ability to look to the future with positivity and energy. I now realise that I have many options
available to me and this initial change is a stepping stone to bigger and better things in the future.
I feel in control of my destiny and believe I have the necessary skills to be a success. Most importantly,
I know why I have made the change and I don't have any regrets.
I still reflect on the conversations I had with Anji and they give me strength to tackle challenges as
opportunities. I feel happier as a result. Thank you Anji."
KL – Senior Pharmacist
"I met Anji in the spring of 2009 when I was at a crossroads in my life. I was not sure what I wanted
to do with my career and I wanted to restore my work/life balance. I had lost touch with what was
important to me and most worryingly, I did not recognise the value of my skills. I wanted to work in an
organisation and in a role where I would feel valued, fulfilled and energised. I also wanted to enjoy my
life outside of work. Through Anji's support I have achieved this.
I really appreciated Anji's style, a balance of support and challenge which did not always feel comfortable,
but was absolutely right for me. Anji took time to understand what outcomes I wanted to achieve and the
blocks getting in the way. She led me to take responsibility for my learning and when I needed structure and
tools to move forward or a friendly word of advice Anji was there. I really appreciated Anji's tenacity and
friendship which helped me during the 3 months we worked together.
I felt I was on a real journey of self discovery. Taking a holistic approach to review where I had been;
and what was driving and motivating me towards the future. Both my confidence and energy levels have
increased dramatically. Situations which had once been daunting have become exciting challenges, now that
I am in touch with and managing my Gremlins. I have taken on a role where I am using my key skills and
living my values. Everything seems so much easier. I've even agreed to speak at a conference, something I
would have run a mile from in the past.
A big thank you to Anji"
Chris – Change Management/OD Consultant
"Working with Anji has helped me in three main ways. Firstly, she has helped me understand
where my skills really lie and how I can best apply these to future roles. Secondly she
has improved my confidence after a couple of setbacks and wrong turns so that I now feel
able to tackle new challenges effectively. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, she has
helped me define the values that are important to me and against which I can assess
potential opportunities to make the right choices to satisfy my needs."
Mike – professional actuary
"I sought coaching to help me make some career and lifestyle decisions that would also
take into account serious considerations such as finances, personal life, aspirations etc...
The main benefits of working with Anji as my coach were:
- Provision of a framework in which we worked together. Anji adapted her style
dependent on where we were in the coaching process. For example, sometimes we
worked through visualisations and reflection; sometimes we worked through key
practical details.
- Pace and focus. Whilst I was able to work at my own pace, Anji provided an
objective view of where we had got to and helped to set out where we went next.
- Support and insight. I felt able to share all of my ideas with Anji. Although
I felt that she was right behind me all of the way. I also felt that she would
have challenged me if she had perceived I was doing something that didn't make
sense.
- Depth. I enjoyed the experience of reviewing my career/life to date in an
analytical way that brought great depth and therefore conviction to the decisions
I was making.
A measure of the success of the coaching experience for me was that in leaving my job I
had no reservations about my decisions and have not looked back since.
Anji, here I am 6 months after our coaching together began, ready to set
off on my new life, one that I feel passionate about. Because of the work we have done
together, this does not feel like a leap into the unknown but a wide-open road with the
landmarks well mapped out. This is the start of the journey for which you have helped to
prepare me. I can't thank you enough!"
Jackie – Career shift from Customer Service Manager
to Professional Cook
"It has been a pleasure to work with Anji as my career coach.
I always felt that any issue, whether work-related or personal, was treated with the respect
and confidentiality that was deserved, and this was undoubtedly the most important factor
in our relationship. Laughter is also one of the elements of our relationship that has to
be mentioned.
In order for the coaching relationship to grow there has to be trust between both parties.
This was particularly important during times when Anji set me some challenges, designed to
help to bring out the best in me. The challenges had potential to be daunting or difficult,
and I had to trust that Anji was working for my best interests. I still use one of them
when I feel that I need to be looking after myself.
I firmly believe that my first few months in a new role and industry would not have been
as successful as they have been without the coaching sessions we had. Thanks Anji."
Fiona – Project Manager.
Career shift from Pharmaceuticals to Insurance
"When I first started to work with Anji about six months ago, I had an understanding of
what my goals were and I had begun to understand what makes me and my family tick. I
needed help to achieve these goals and further my self awareness.
Anji has helped me to:
- understand how I can achieve these goals, and just how long this may take
- develop a vision of the type of business I want to work in; and the type of
lifestyle I, and my family, want to lead
- move towards this vision steadily
- build my confidence so I can be positive about change
- develop a strategy to achieve my goals and vision and reshape my career
- find my way through issues and challenges that would otherwise become barriers
to me doing my job and/or enjoying it
- put together a CV
- understand my talents and strengths at work
- research job opportunities
- turn job research, into job interviews!
- challenge myself. What are the different things I can do? What will it take
for me to do it?
She has encouraged me when I needed it (often to start with, but less so now), and I
sense she understands the type of person I am and how to get the best out of me. She
also accepts feedback on the way she works.
Anji helps me in a practical way. I am busy at work and with my family. It is both
daunting and time consuming to make changes to your career and the way you approach
life as a whole. Anji makes sure I have objectives for each meeting, and that I have
concrete next steps to take my career plan to the next stage.
It has been 'no picnic', but very rewarding. I am very confident that through my work
with Anji, I will achieve my goals.
I thoroughly recommend Anji as a career coach."
John – Senior Manager Major Food Retailer
"Coaching has benefited me by: -
- increasing my self awareness, and my understanding of how that applies to
a rewarding career
- It's opened my eyes to new possibilities in terms of career direction
- It's allowed me to understand that I have a valuable contribution to make
in just being myself
- It's given me techniques to pursue my goals
- It's given me the confidence to accept that past mistakes should not impact
negatively on my future
- I feel more in control of my own destiny
I valued Anji's encouragement, acceptance, tolerance, positive attitude, firmness and
humour in our coaching relationship. I also think she is good at reading people and able
to communicate eloquently, particularly in speech."
John – International Sales Manager
"You have the ability to enthuse and generate energy and a positive attitude
towards change. You also provide an enormous resource for progressing
appropriate career change. You have a very perceptive honesty, which you
are not afraid to express - it's powerful"
Helen – Independent Producer
"As the owner/operator of a small consultancy PR business, now 7 years old,
I had started to feel that I had stopped developing my own skills (now that I no longer
had the cushion of a corporate HR department behind me!). My business had grown considerably
over this period and I found I needed to acquire new skills that went beyond my core
consultancy competencies. I wanted guidance on managing staff, focusing on my business
and deciding its future development and direction.
Anji came to my rescue by providing a monthly coaching and mentoring opportunity to air
my worries and put structure to my planning. She provided advice on modern management
techniques and strategies, but importantly she didn't try to tell me how to run my
business. She supplied answers, questioned my assumptions and filled holes in my
knowledge, helping me to find the right path for myself by better understanding my own
needs and those of my staff and the business.
Over the nine months we worked together she has helped me get to grips with my
responsibilities and present a much more coherent management style to my staff.
Now, we all know where we are heading as a business and we have defined our core
ethos and non-negotiable principles, which everyone has bought into and feels part of.
My whole coaching experience has been very beneficial and I can certainly recommend
Anji to others. "
Kate – Business Owner, PR consultancy
"Anji has been my coach for six months. I asked her to coach me in the building of my
business for a planned and structured six month period. This has just come to an end.
My company has experienced exponential growth over this period, with a turnover up by 110%,
and current figures suggesting that this will be doubled over the next twelve months.
I am now undertaking more and larger contracts, together with the design and implementation
of new ideas for training and development in my sector. Anji's coaching has been an essential
element in this growth.
Along with clear benefits to my company from our coaching relationship, I have been impressed
by Anji's ability to highlight the importance of my personal development, particularly in
relation to work-life balance. She was aware of my wish to focus on company growth, but
was clear that this would depend on the maintenance of my own personal foundations. Her
support for my own personal development has led me into exploring new ways of working for
myself that fit into my plan for the next six years. I very much appreciated her sound
approach and its clear underpinning of values and beliefs that are the hallmark of good
coaching.
Although our six month coaching plan has just ended, I am in no doubt that I will be
approaching Anji in future to further my personal and professional growth."
Jennifer – Business Owner, training consultancy
"I am delighted with the benefits and results from my coaching with Anji, which include:
- Making some significant and positive changes to my life in a short space of time
- Being heard and understood
- Having an independent sounding board who is not emotionally involved in my life
- Receiving useful sources of material to read or research further
- Receiving from you other ideas on how to look at or tackle an issue or approach
a goal
Your conduct is most professional - not only during calls but also in your preparation
and follow up to coaching sessions. In addition, you are responsive between calls if the
need arises.
I have enjoyed your particular style of coaching and the ways in which you shared your
insights and intuitions, listened well, dealt directly with issues and recognised talents
and achievements.
Thank you for your valued contribution to my recent successes."
Carol - Business Owner and entrepreneur
"Following redundancy Anji focused my energy on establishing what I wanted for myself
and my family and assisted in making a plan to achieve my objectives in a very practical
manner. I am very grateful for the assistance Anji has provided, boosting my confidence
at a very difficult time, and given me the tools to tackle the job market"
Richard – Role shift from Company
Secretary/Financial Manager to Finance Controller
"I am self-employed and have a thriving therapy business, which I needed to restructure
in order to develop it. I am about to go into partnership with other therapists and
approached Anji, on personal recommendation, for some help and clarity with these two
ventures. From the start I found Anji to be approachable and very easy to talk to.
She was very clear during our initial telephone conversation as to how she could help me,
and after this discussion we were of the opinion that we would be able to work together.
Our subsequent sessions have been extremely helpful. Anji has challenged my thoughts
and ideas in such a way as to make me think and question. She has gently led me to
contemplate new conclusions and encouraged me to take my thinking to higher levels.
She has also given me many tools with which to work, all of which have been helpful,
particularly the vision seed map. I never knew that planning could be so much fun!
One of Anji's strengths is her enthusiasm, which is wholly infectious. Since speaking to
her, I now have a renewed vigour, courage and motivation to move both projects forward -
and with the tools and skills which Anji has imparted to me, feel that I am better place
to do this in a business-like and structured manner.
Although it is her job, Anji is an excellent listener and I always felt 'heard'.
She is totally present whenever we speak which allows none of her own agenda or any
judgement to colour her opinions. She has a great talent for gently 'leading' me to
make my own conclusions and think things through for myself so that the conclusion I
reach is one that is right for me and my work. At no time have I felt out of control
or 'browbeaten' by her opinions, which have remained firmly in the background. I also
greatly appreciate her sense of humour.
Anji has a huge depth of knowledge on many work and career related subjects which has proved
extremely useful; however if there is something she cannot help me with Anji is at great
pains to point me in the right direction and will often contact me via email with additional
points of reference. It has also been useful to have summary emails after our sessions
reminding me of what I have committed to do before the next session and also highlighting
anything which I may have overlooked.
I consider myself very fortunate to have been coached by Anji and feel I have benefited
enormously. I am approaching my new ventures with very much more knowledge, confidence
and resolve. It is also very reassuring to know that I can pick up the phone at any time
and use Anji as a ‘sounding board’. I know I will get friendly, impartial, professional
support and encouragement plus knowledge-based advice if I need it."
Sue – Business Owner & Therapist
"At the time of our meetings, I was stuck in my life feeling unhappy, that I had no
direction and I couldn’t see how to change things.
I found that I could be really honest with Anji, which was a huge relief, I could say
what I really thought and felt without being judged. Also Anji was very focussed, her
full attention was there for me which helped to make me feel more 'worthwhile'.
Anji never dictated what we would discuss or what I should do; she made suggestions -
sometimes practical exercises to help me clarify things for myself, getting feelings
and ideas down on paper or books to read.
We looked at the different aspects of my life, which parts needed working on and Anji
encouraged me to decide for myself and come up with my own ideas as well as listening
to some of hers.
She asked questions, which made me really think hard about what I wanted and deserved
from life. Anji also came up with 'challenges' for me, a goal for the coming week which
would take me out of my comfort zone - again it was up to me if I wanted to do it but
if I did, I felt that I had her support which was very important for my self-confidence.
I also liked Anji’s directness, I always knew where I stood with her."
Denise – 'returner' to work
"Thanks for being a friend and guide on this long and often difficult journey. You have
provided much needed encouragement and support to overcome unexpected obstacles and kept
me focused on the road ahead. I’ve learned a lot about myself and the value of friendship
and the importance of pursuing new interests and networks to provide balance in my life."
Chris – Career shift from HR Manager
to Interim Management
"Anji Marychurch has a superb attitude, she's very professional, practical and down to
earth. The last thing I needed following redundancy was tea and sympathy - luckily, Anji
was focused and pragmatic - just what I needed"
Mary – Marketing Manager
"I just wanted to thank you so much for all your help and encouragement. You made
me feel really good about myself and of course, I now have a cv to die for!"
Annette – Career shift from
Drama teacher to Medical Centre Manager
"I set my business up in Nov 2003 and contacted Anji by a recommendation from a business
colleague - this was truly one of the best recommendations I have ever had...
To say Anji has changed my life would not be an exaggeration. I found myself in the middle
of a pond, lacking direction... do I stay small and focused or fulfill my burning ambitions
to take a risk... By analyzing both the business and my skills; we came up with a plan that
was truly achievable. Anji listened, encouraged and made recommendations - never judging me.
Coaching gave me the ability to believe in myself and an understanding of the skills that
I needed to develop to make it all happen.
From a small business start up run from home, in less than one year I am now in rented
offices with a team of staff - all because I was willing to explore, understand and seek
advice...
It's also vital to understand your weaknesses and plan to compensate for these as well
as work on developing your strengths - if you are prepared to open your mind - then
Business Coaching is right for you.
One final word... Business Coaching will open your mind in lots of ways.
It's helped me personally as well as in business.
Truly I can’t thank her enough."
Roz – Business Owner, e-marketing
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