Re-Entering Education Was the Best Decision I Made

The pungent smell of cigarette smoke hit me as soon as I took off the computer’s side panel. I started to gag as I used a pair of tweezers to pull a mat of tar and dust from the CPU cooling fan. Then a huge question hit me – is this really what it means to be an entrepreneur with an IT support business? Surely there’s a better way to use a lifetime of experience to earn a living? What essential life learning had I missed?

At age 11, the fact that Physics was my favourite lesson at school immediately labelled me as a geek. One day we were asked to observe as we stretched a piece of copper wire slowly until it snapped. Not many people know that the two broken ends are different, one end looks like a cup and one end looks like a bump. I was the only one of 30 that noticed this effect under a microscope and it may mark the start of my journey as a natural scientist, seeking to understand how the world works.

I started a computer repair business to combine my skills as a scientist and my desire to help people. Back in 2000 there was an obvious business niche for this service. 20 years later this area of technology became commoditised and devalued. After a lifetime of working with machines I realised it was time to become more of a people person. At business network events I heard about this thing called NLP so I made the decision to learn more. I searched for online courses on the topic and found Kain Ramsay and Achology.com. My life coaching journey had begun.

I talked to more than 10,000 people during my time as a computer technician but I’ve come to realise that the conversations were transactional and at a very superficial level. What’s wrong with computer? Give it here. Fixed now. Goodbye. Conversations as a life coach or skilled helper are totally different. We have to understand the story behind the story and ask insightful questions to take the conversation to a deeper level. We have to listen attentively and watch body language and facial expressions carefully to pick up on triggers of deeper truths.

Two things surprised me when I joined Achology in 2019 – firstly, there was a community of people who genuinely wanted to make the world a better place through meaningful conversation and secondly that many of these aspiring coaches said I was quite good at listening during practice sessions. These fellow Achologists continue to be my role models and inspirations in the field of personal development. At the end of 2023 I reached the Master Achologist level after completion of more than 100 hours of coaching practice inside and outside of Achology.

My biggest doubts and fears used to be that I would be useless as a coach and unable to hold empathetic conversations with strangers. Regular practice inside and outside of Achology provides evidence to the contrary. Somebody recently said that a 45 minute conversation with me had given more clarity than six months of executive coaching. Their greater clarity will make them a more effective leader. That is the sort of thing that defines success for me, the ripple effect of effective coaching reaching wider and wider circles.

For the last few years I’ve mixed with the climate change and sustainability scientist circles. I set up as a business sustainability consultant with the aim to make a difference with evidence-based action. This is obviously admirable but Kain and the Achology community have made me reflect at a deeper level. Are there enough eco activists and consultants already? Is this career choice making the best use of my skill set and experience?

A more thorough introspection led to a more strategic intention to broadcast my consistent message on communicating core values and critical thinking principles. This forms the consistent foundation of my current projects in coaching, book writing, sustainability and local community.

Now I use my coaching skills in every conversation. These skills help me make an impact in all my areas of interest – advanced technology and exponential businesses, genuine sustainability, personal growth, community action and my three generation family. I’ve never been at more peace with myself as I consider every action I take through the lens of my core values of truth and courage.

I hope my story inspires you to start or continue your personal growth journey by taking self responsibility, challenging your limiting beliefs and joining a supportive global community.