“I have worked at the same Fortune 50 Company for 24 years and have successfully navigated myself through the ranks in various positions and earning promotions. I am also an Independent Consultant for a Health and Wellness Company as well as a Certified Health Coach.
In 2017, I had been feeling at a crossroads and generally not satisfied with my career. My husband had recently retired, at a young age, and it had me thinking a lot about my goals and plans for the future. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to spend the next 20 years in Corporate America as I felt that I had reached the top rung that I was going to reach at this particular company and the thought of starting over at another company was not appealing to me. One night while scrolling through my email, I received one from John advising that he had launched his coaching business.
I had researched head hunters in the past and had just been researching hiring a career coach so the timing was perfect! You see, I had earned my MBA as well as a Master Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma – my brain was tired and I wasn’t interested in going back to school AGAIN only to feel like my skills were undervalued but I was scared of leaving my job. At the same time, I was unhappy. So, I took the step in reaching out to John.
Best career decision in my life! I met with John to discuss how the program would work, the commitment level, the monetary investment and to discuss how I had been feeling as well as my goals. After our initial meeting, we’d both decided that we would be a good fit for each other, I discussed the investment with my husband and I took the plunge.
Over the coming months, we talked about why I was frustrated and he helped me define what drives me, what I’m passionate about, and how I’d like to make my mark in the world. John acknowledged my strengths but also shone some light on areas that I could improve my results. It felt a bit like therapy in the beginning and it was a little uncomfortable opening up about what was really on my mind and in my heart. I had to admit what was bugging me and I wasn’t good at that because it always seemed a bit whiny to me. I’ve always been a “suck it up buttercup kind of girl”. However, I began to look forward to our calls and having space where I could work through what was on my mind with an objective person. I began to see that I needed someone that wasn’t just on my side but was also willing to say the hard things and it didn’t make me defensive to hear them.
But what I love the most is that I made all decisions about steps to take. John guided me but in a coaching relationship, the coach gives you your power back to make decisions with clarity and confidence.
John is the reason that I added the certification of a health coach to my resume but he’s also the reason that I feel happy in my career again. Honestly, I have encountered some frustrating situations over the last few years yet I’ve never felt so in control and content. I move through each day with such intention and focus that minor setbacks are just that, a blip that barely registers on my radar.
If you are unsure of what you want to do, unsure of how you should get there, unhappy with your current job or prospects, I would highly recommend building a coaching relationship with John Neral. He is authentic and caring yet direct and focused. I have been coaching with him for 2 years and I just signed on for my 3rd because I truly believe that not only does my professional life continue to advance but my personal outlook has strengthened because of my work with him.”
Jennifer Miller
Program Manager – Verizon Information Technology and Services
https://verizon.com