Life coaching helped me put everything into perspective. Karen was incredibly supportive and believed in me and my goals. With her support I embarked on further training & I already have my business cards printed up.
R.S. Slough
 

The coaching definitely helped me feel more in control of my life goals and action plans. The sessions gave me the chance to step back, think, breathe and plan. It was good to have Karen there to ask questions I hadn't thought of, helping me to see situations in new lights.
Ella, North London

 

Hello, it's lovely to meet you!

..... and thank you for taking the time to get to know me a little better. So where shall I start? Well, my name is Karen Knott and if you're looking for a coach who uses compassion as well as enthusiasm, who coaches with humour and integrity and offers a service you'll look forward to, then please read on....

What can I tell you about how I coach?

My informal style is a reflection of who I am as a person - a blend of practical and creative, structure and spontaneity...all combined with one essential ingredient - a sense of humour. And if ever there was a time to access your sense of humour - midlife is IT! We may well be working through some 'difficult stuff' but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy the process and have some fun whilst we're at it. I don't wholly subscribe to the 'positive thinking' approach as this devalues the importance of recognising and addressing problems. However, finding positive ways to resolve these problems IS an essential ingredient in my coaching.  There is nothing 'magical' about coaching - (although the results are often pretty remarkable and transformative!) Whilst it may well be therapeutic, it is certainly NOT therapy - for me, coaching is something very tangible, purposeful and focused. As a coach I feel very privileged in being invited into other peoples lives but I'm always aware of the responsibility that comes with this privilege and I do my personal and professional utmost to help my clients move into the next stage of their lives having found their own sense of peace, purpose and fulfilment.

Brief Biog....

My background is in education, starting as a teacher in inner London for 10 years (which I found fulfilling and frustrating in equal measure if that’s possible), before joining forces with my partner to take on the role of training director in our IT company.  Along the way I had many forays into ‘other worlds’ in an attempt to scratch the nagging itch to ‘do something different’. (These tales are probably best left until we get to know each other better!)

I've done a variety of different things in my time but when I look back I can see that my key skills and enthusiasms have always centred around communication, connection and personal development. It was only through hiring a coach that I was finally able to put a name to what I wanted to do and finally led me to become a qualified coach - one of the best decisions I have ever made.  I started my training with the Coaching Academy and then went on to complete my Diploma with Newcastle College.

Why 'midlife' coaching?

People often ask me why I decided to work exclusively with midlife women. Well, for a start it's a place that is intuitively comfortable for me as a coach. I am a midlife woman and I know what it is to go through this transformative life transition. I feel that I'm now on the other side of my own midlife transition after a good few months - probably years - of being in what I now recognise as an extended limbo (sighs of relief all round from family and friends!).  I've stood where you are today and I continue to reap the benefits of the coaching I received during that time and now take enormous pleasure in helping others do the same. This is such an exciting life stage and working with women who are eager to stretch beyond their perceived limitations to ensure they make the very most of it, is a win-win experience for both of us.

The cultural messages we receive about midlife would have us believe that we’re on a downhill slide and yet research shows enormous dynamics in these middle years. I see evidence of this in the amazing transformations women make as they reconnect with their sense of purpose and enthusiasm and make lasting changes that have a positive impact on their lives.  If you can imagine how good that feels for me as well as my clients, then you'll understand the huge mutual satisfaction that can be gained from a coaching partnership.

A few personal details

I live in North London, UK, with my partner and our 16 year son - and not forgetting Jude the cat and Griff the Mini Schnauzer - the dog  I swore I'd never have but now can't imagine being without. (He's my daily 'never say never' reminder!)  Oh and one final thing.... I absolutely adore Bruce Springsteen - always have, always will! (End of confession.)

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