My Client Dona

Let me tell you about my wonderful financial coaching client, Dona. She’s not just successful; she’s a powerhouse! Juggling the roles of super mum, award-winning businesswoman, fabulous wife, supportive daughter, and a great friend, Dona wears many hats, or should that be pairs of shoes?. But as she has got a bit older and witnessed some of her family and friends die or fall ill, she has begun to reflect on her own life. Naturally, this has led her to ponder her goals, dreams, and that looming question, “Do I have enough money to do all the things I plan to do when I stop working?”

When Dona and I first started working together, it was in my capacity as a financial planner. We talked about pensions, mortgage repayments, income protection, investments, and so on. But what struck me was the language she used, over and over again, to describe her relationship with money. She’d always start our meetings with, “I am rubbish with money, so…”

But is she really? Why did she believe that? Where was her evidence to prove that thought?

This is where financial coaching—or financial therapy, as Dona likes to call it—comes into play. It’s a gentle and supportive process that helps answer questions like these and challenges the money stories ingrained within us. The goal? To change the language we use, modify our behaviours, and actually get excited about the possibilities for our money.

Dona’s attitude toward her finances has undergone a complete transformation. No longer afraid (her word, not mine!) to even peek at her bank statements, she’s now on a mission to give every pound a purpose. She’s learned that when she spends money, it’s because she’s made a conscious choice to do so. By setting aside funds for ‘future Dona,’ she’s actively supporting her future self to live the life she wants.

Little Kristen

Dona tells me she now has ‘little Kristen’ sitting on her shoulder, helping her make choices that align with her bigger picture. She describes having a “financial fire in my belly,” proving that when it comes to our finances, there’s nothing to fear when you have the right financial coaching support by your side!