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Nurse coach

click a picture above to reveal that person's success story!

Claire Westwood: From nurse to nursing coach, author & leader

Claire lives in Gloucestershire in the UK and we first met at a weekend seminar I was running in Glastonbury called How to Create a Successful Business From The Work You Were Born To Do in October 2006. At the time, Claire was a full time nurse, enjoying it, but knowing that there was more potential to her that she wanted to realise.

Her passion for personal development had been lit and she was beginning to see the way ahead for her life. She was already writing for the Royal College of Nursing website and Nursing Journals.

Claire started a year-long coaching course for herself, and through this she got clear about what her nursing and personal development project could evolve into.

I Immediately saw that she had great manifesting skills – people, situations and opportunities began to find her as she took her own baby steps, starting her momentum. Soon Claire had her Happy-nurses project going, and began sharing her passion for personal growth with her fellow nurses.

Here's what she told me about how she overcame her fear and found her path...

What were the inner and outer forces calling you to change?

I knew that I would never reach my ‘full potential’ staying where I was. I felt the pull to live a life with more freedom and creativity than I had in my life at work as a nurse, a life that would really let me be myself.

Where are you now?

I left work in September 2007 after 10 weeks off with a broken wrist (!). I had spent time thinking and planning, and decided that the time was right. I had been asked to present at a Money Gym day and knew that I had to be free to say 'yes' to the offers I was getting. My articles were getting published, I had a fabulous plan, formulated with the help of my coaches, and knew I would be able to reach more nurses and make more of an impact on the world by being free to accept the offers that were coming to me. I have re-organised my finances to allow me to live off savings, until I start to make money. The big launch is in January 2008.

What was your turning point?

There were a few. Reading books started me on a journey of learning - ‘The Work We Were Born To Do’, ‘Feel The Fear and Do It Anyway’, ‘The Road Less Travelled’, and my first ‘life coaching’ book all helped me to look at my life and what I wanted to change about it. I also thought it would be a great job to have!

What is the work you feel you were born to do?

I now feel I am here to help nurses live happier, healthier lives. My role is to link the worlds of personal development and nursing, to teach nurses the skills and open their minds to some new ideas, tools and people that have helped me to create an amazing life for myself.

Which of your particular talents does your work utilise?

• My creativity, and my love of variety and learning.
• My intelligence, and the ability to learn rapidly.
• My love of reading and teaching
• My ability to think of solutions to others’ problems/
• My performing skills when I talk, present and speak

... but most of all, the opportunity to work in a team to create something truly unique and to make a real difference to the world

What do you most love about your work?

I love the fact that I am doing something amazing, that satisfies me and uses many of my skills. I am in charge of what happens, and there is somewhere for all my ideas to go. Working with my mentors and heroes, like Nick Williams and Nicola Cairncross. To really help other people live amazing lives for themselves, whatever that means for them. To be a role model for other entrepreneurial nurses, and business women. I feel I am truly making a difference in many peoples’ lives.

What are the obstacles you have had to face and overcome?

Many – doubt, fear, resistance, bereavement, illness......there have been lots of obstacles. I just kept on thinking, reading, learning and then going easy on myself for a while to just ‘be’.

What part did I play in your journey to success?

I read your book The Work We Were Born To Do and the part about a portfolio career sounded like an excellent idea! The whole book made me realise I could have a job that was a better match for me than nursing, and that you, Nick, had made a big career jump yourself – from computer salesman to coach, author and speaker. That was so inspiring. I went to a couple of your seminars on running an inspiring business, and bought some e-courses and CDs which all helped me to work through my fear and find the right path.

Do you have any particular tips you’d like to share with others?

Read, read, read! Learn as much as you can. Thinking you don’t know all the answers can stop you, but they are out there somewhere. Get a group who will help and support you. Find a coach. Keep going and take tiny steps if that feels right for you. Always know life can be different to how it is now.

Find Claire here: www.happynurses.co.uk