Life Design and Become a Success Coach graduate Steven Decker, 39, is a husband, a father and a recently certified Success Coach.

(May 2007)

LIFE DESIGN:

GENERAL: “Before Life Design I always felt drained, my energy was very low because, as a rescuer with a deep empathy for people, I was always giving-giving-giving and I wasn’t getting anything back. I wasn’t allowing myself to receive from others because of my own Self-worth issues. Life Design helped me to learn how to receive. I was making other people happy but I was not happy with myself and my own life. Life Design helped me to realise that I deserved to love and serve myself more, but most importantly, it equipped me with great strategies to achieve happiness in all areas of my life."

MARRIAGE AND RELATIONSHIPS: “It was helpful for our marriage because it made Helena and I focus on what was important for a happy and successful life together. We are extremely happy that we decided to attend the program together as both of us experienced growth rather than just one of us going through the process. There was also a noticeable improvement in the quality of our other relationships at work and social circles. We are also conscious of fostering relationships that add value to our lives rather than detract from them."

RISK & INVESTMENTS: “Prior to LD I was a non-risk person who was always worried about finances, afraid of debt and anxious about almost all life decisions. Life Design shifted my paradigm to one that allows me to explore opportunities and not feel overwhelmed by decisions. We have bought two investment properties and now have three in total.”

EMOTIONS: “I would often experience mood swings and feel anxious about nearly everything. Now I just deal with challenges head on and take action to move through them. I have developed a Self-belief to know I have the power and potential within to do the things I want to do in my life. I am feeling very content with my life and who I am as a person.”

SPIRITUALITY: Prior to the course we had never participated in spiritual processes. Life Design gave us more awareness of our spiritual presence. We are starting to look further into meditation and we are taking more time out to connect with ourselves.

BECOME A SUCCESS COACH:

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO DO BSC?
“My coach inspired me. He’s been coaching me for over a year and he sensed an under current that I was not happy with my military career and finally just put it in front of my face. He said: ‘You need to make a decision and move forward’. I’ve always wanted to empower people through my work to have the life they desired and I felt success coaching was a great avenue to do that.”

WHERE HAVE YOU TAKEN THE BSC QUALIFICATION SINCE GRADUATING?
“I acquired 12 clients while wearing two hats professionally (the old job and coaching) before becoming free to focus on full time coaching in February. I have also been offered and taken the opportunity to work with another on-line coaching agency where I was nominated coach of the month in April. I am now running free monthly seminars at Castle Hill Community Centre on topics of relevance for the community (last month life balance, next month Self-talk). I am also about to commence running two day well-being workshops at Richmond RAAF base which I hope to use as a template to take to other government or corporate organisations.”

WHAT APPROACH DID YOU ADOPT FOR BUILDING YOUR BUSINESS?
•“I initially received clients by contacting people in my immediate environment. I then got a few clients through referrals and then four more by door-knocking the local Hills District business community to introduce myself and offer them a complimentary session. I have four clients as result of that strategy and I am planning to hit the pavement again soon.
•“I spent and still spend half an hour every morning on mental management. I read my purpose statement. I read `My Ultimate Day’ which is an inspiring emotional description of what I want my life to be like, and I read my seven year plan which is broken down into six categories of life. I also read my personal and business affirmations, my goals and reasons for wanting to develop a coaching business. This mental management is great in assisting me to manifest the results that I want.

ADVICE FOR OTHER NEW BSC RECRUITS?
“The main thing that worked for me was listening to my intuition and paying more attention to the signs in my environment. I took some time out and seriously reflected on what I wanted my life to be about and what made me happy and then I took action and started exploring opportunities while constantly seeking new learnings. My advice to people is to never see anything as a failure or fear taking action. It is important to be persistent and realise that it can take time. Get crystal clear on your passion and purpose, decide exactly what needs to be done and surrender to it. The happiness around being on purpose will then flow into all other areas of your life. It absolutely has for me.”

STEVE ON SUCCESS AND YOU:
“The thing I love about Success and You’s courses and the reason I recommend them to other people is that the learning is very experiential. All Self-development is good in theory but Success and You’s program activities offer a fantastic opportunity to really learn about yourself and I have found that to be very unique. They take you out of your comfort zone to make you a better person and to help you to break through what it may be that is stopping you from achieving all that you want in your life.”