What can make a respected academic, philosopher and author feel like a waste? In this episode, I talk to Dr Stephen Backhouse about the paralysing effects of despair. On the wrong course, he found himself working within a system he had unreconcilable issues with. This led him into a sad place, one that he had no idea how to escape from.

But this is a story of hope and eventual success beyond his imagination.

It’s a story about the power of changing your story.

We look at how hopelessness can be a driver for change so that we:

• Put our energy and focus in the right place.

• Change direction so that we’re working in line with what we believe, what we value and what we enjoy.

• Quit chasing unattainable goals and get real about what we really want.

We then turn our attention to the ladder out of the ravine and how coaching can help you to feel:

• Listened to and validated.

• A sense of what’s possible.

• Able to flush out the old words and inner monologue that no longer serve you.

• Empowered to change your narrative.

• Relaxed enough to see the dead ends for what they are – opportunities for learning.

Finally, we lift the conversation further and talk about the value of:

• Getting a second pair of eyes on the matter: when someone else holds the mirror we’re able to see ourselves more clearly.

• Seeing things anew: is the problem at hand really a problem or an escape route in disguise?

• Coaching is not just about an investment in an outcome, it’s about the rewarding and enriching nature of the journey.

‘If you’re driving fast you can’t change direction immediately,’ Stephen says, ‘you have to slow down first. When you have a controlled slow down, you’re able to turn and start again.’

I can’t say it better than that. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did.

For more on Stephen, check out his LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-backhouse-59223ba/

For Stephen's podcasts: https://tent-talks.simplecast.com/ and https://jewishlivinglab.com/hyphen/

Check out Marianne’s website here: https://mariannewelshcoaching.com/ 

And drop her a line at: marianne@mariannewelshcoaching.com

Catch up with her regular snippets of encouragement on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariannewelsh/