Fairytale Career

Achieving your dreams can sometimes seem unattainable. While aspiring to improve our lives discovering the methods to do so can be elusive.

With technology constantly changing, careers too are always evolving - new ones are formed while others become extinct.

One new job that has developed over the last few years is that of 'life coaching' - not only does it involve helping others achieve their goals, it also enables 'coaches' to make transformations in their own lives.

Heidi Hunter is one of the new breed of life coaches who is not only creating a business by coaching others, but bringing a new dimension to her original career as an environmental and safety manager for the leisure industry.

She left her managerial role at Dreamworld to study as a life coach, while aiming to develop her business, Enlisa Enterprises, in the environment, safety, health and lifestyle industry.

"Something that faces a lot of people today is finding balance between work, home and lifestyle, and it can really affect health, " she says.

While she continues to consult for Dreamworld, the development of her life coaching skills have enabled her to bring a fresher approach to her work, while also helping others to improve their lives.

"A life coach takes a holistic approach. You may be having a converstaion with your client's mind, but you are also listening to their soul - what's underneath, what's happening."

Heidi says her focus is directed towards the intellectual, physical, emotional and spiritual. It's all about realising your dreams - whether its to do with relationships, improving health, wealth, or career goals.

"It could be helping them come to terms with a relocation or a death. It's about asking them questions and the client could end up devising a better way to do something by themselves," she says.

"Life coaching is here to stay. It started in America over a decade ago."

"A coach guides, navigates and supports the client while they come up with the answers themselves."

"My goal is for the client to meet their goals by utilising empathy, support and by being non-judgmental," she says.

Heidi even has her own life coach who has helped her achieve balance in her life through a holistic approach.

She says coaching is different from therapy and counselling which target past events and issues.

"There is a place for all of that, but coaching looks at the person right her and now. Where they are at and where they want to go."

Heidi undertook her studies at the Life Coaching Academy, Robina, attending a residential weekend she describes as "full-on and intensive', before moving on to further classes.

"It's a great skill to have as a second avenue to a career. I wish I had done this when I was still a manager - it provides concrete skills and models to take back to the workplace and develop," she says.

"You develop the right muscles in your mind and train them in order to add your own style.

"Life coaching is not age dependent. One woman who is doing the course is retired, but she says this has given her the chance to do something with her time and also given her a 'new engine and chassis as well'.

"Its up to the coach how much they want to earn. They can do it full or part-time and it's great for single parents who want to work from home."

She says becoming a life coach can mean adding a new dimension to an existing career.

"We look at our client's goals and what they are or aren't doing to achieve them, and then we look at their options to move forward."

The courses runs for a minimum of three months and includes writing a book critique, as well as a thesis and an assessment item - all done with support throughout.

There is a video on building a business, mentor coaching and over-the-phone tele-classes.

Heidi said that clients usually stayed with a coach for a weekly session over a three to four month period.

"As a life coach I know my limits and when I should suggest a client may need a specialist like a doctor or a financial advisor," she says.

Heidi says she likes things to be simple, so her company's mission statement is that it is 'simply committed to continual improvement of the planet, people's lifestyle and the leisure industry'.

"When I was a manager at Dreamworld, I had a responsibility to guide people to be the best they could be and as a coach I can do that holistically."

"One of the skills you learn is to listen to what you are hearing - you can have a converation with the mind, but you are listening to the soul."

Those that want to experience life coaching or are interested in undertaking the course can call the Life Coaching Academy or Heidi for a free half-hour session.

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