What people say

This really works! : A Sceptic's Case Study

I came on the Goal Mapping workshop with Jenny Stewart really to see what it was all about.

Jenny’s passion about what she was doing did intrigue me, though I was a bit of a sceptic, however everything so far in my life has been about the kids. Turning 50 I felt I deserved some time on “me” and wanted to figure out what to do with my life and I hoped that the workshop would not only help me by showing me how to set goals, but also how to find and get my goal – I had been feeling a little lost and despite a strong faith in God hoped to get more of a direction back.

I also felt some others in my life could potentially benefit from the programme and wanted to check it out so that I could refer them with confidence.

However I was completely wrong footed by the course!

Despite the warm welcome and the fact I really enjoyed listening to Jenny, I felt very uncomfortable at the start of the day, The others there were excited and really clear about what they were wanting to achieve – and to be honest I ended up feeling I actually didn’t really know why I was there and like a bit of a fraud.

And when I discovered I was going to have to draw, with coloured pens that the others were grabbing like sweeties, I was horrified.

However there were a few moments during the day that really stopped me in my tracks. There was one exercise we did in particular that really pulled me up and made me think “this works – shut up with the negative self talk and listen - there’s more to this than you think” – it was almost a bit of a penny dropping moment for me.

And I realised I was focusing too much on the others enthusiasm versus my own panic about the drawings, rather than just getting on with it and getting the benefit out of the workshop that I should.

So at the end of the day when we came to draw our first Goal Map, I started mapping the first thing I could think of – having a calm Christmas, only 3 months away. It was going to be the last big family Christmas get together, so everyone was expecting a fabulous “wow” time – and I was hosting it.

And after leaving the workshop unusual things started happening – things I would have normally put down to a fluke or perhaps a coincidence at a push, but I now realise they’re not – I’ve been working with my subconscious to make these things happen. And as more of these things started to happen, my expectation about the whole process and my ability to have a calm Christmas grew as well.

This was definitely an unexpected benefit of the workshop – I’d always thought you couldn’t control the subconscious – but I now realise you can.

Turning 50 has also stopped being such a big thing too and as time has gone on I’m less worried about it and feel more comfortable with where I am.

And as for having a calm Christmas – that goal was well and truly met! We had the most successful Christmas get together ever – a lovely  time had by all – and no tears, arguments or storm-outs!

I would highly recommend this programme to anyone who is looking to get more direction back in their life. It's been of enormous help to me.