Mark Taylor BSc(Hons) Ceng MIMechE.
Coaching and mentoring international Accredited Coach.

My approach to clients

You’ll find me non-judgmental, understanding and empathic, with a relaxing manner and voice. I will encourage you to think laterally and innovatively. I will challenge any negative assumptions you may have about yourself and your capabilities.

I believe that we are all unique. That we all have massive potential and have a natural deep-seated drive to learn, grow and evolve emotionally and be the best that we can. Potential has no limits except those we impose ourselves or choose to allow to be imposed upon us, thus giving credence to the glass ceiling effect.

My aim is that your journey of change to fulfillment and balance in your life will be by your own design. That you will become self-motivated, enthusiastic and grow in self-belief.

You may already totally believe in your own potential, and are coming to coaching to help you achieve even more in your life. I have no doubt that we can help you achieve this. But I realise too, that right now you may have doubts about yourself or life coaching.

All I can suggest is to 'just try it'! I hope 'my story' illustrates to you that coaching can facilitate a process of change, fulfillment and balance.

My Story

My journey to life coaching began long before graduating in 1984 and eventually becoming a Chartered Mechanical Engineer. School and careers advise never really inspired me, so, even though I loved connecting with people I made my choice because I was good at science! Following the shock of having to work for a living, I soon began to focus my life on my career, gradually climbing the ladder. I married my long-standing girlfriend whom I met in Halls of Residence, and we had 3 beautiful children together. As we divided our responsibilities for the family unit along conventional lines, I increasingly conformed to the role laid down by my cultural heritage- work-work-work with family time during family holidays and some precious weekends.

In spite of the obvious signs, my wife ‘suddenly’ died in 1998 leaving me with my girls aged between 3 and 8 years. I was devastated, lost, alone- my assigned life purpose would be blown apart by what followed. I enlisted the help of a full-time nanny, and tried to continue my work patterns and family routines as before. Added to this was the sole responsibility for the emotional support and nurturing of 3 youngsters, introduced to their own mortality way before their time. After some months of turmoil and trying to be everything to everyone, I began to suffer burn out as a result of the stress generated by major conflicts in my values. I know that now, but not at that time.

I then heard about the French approach to what is now recognised as 'work-life balance'! My children deserved and needed more of me, I needed time for me too. That HAD to be where my priorities were. I negotiated flexible working with my boss but my heart was shifting away from money and business to helping people, starting with my 3 girls!

I continued on my evolving journey until I was given privileged notice of the impending retirement of the then MD. This position was my long held goal from a career perspective. I had been working towards it since I graduated in 1984, it should have felt right. But it didn’t!
Long before the career crossroads appeared, I had experienced counselling and coaching.
Now was the time to trust myself and listen to the feelings that accompanied what was 'up for grabs'. Coaching helps you to find strength from within. When I listened in, my heart was telling me to ignore this goal of nearly 20 years!

I’d got to the top of the ladder only to find it was against the wrong wall!

I took control of my life and took the decision not to put myself forward.
This action gave me the emotional space to look at what I wanted to do and be. I enrolled on a certificate in counselling course with Birmingham University to give me a theoretical base to the Diploma in life-coaching course with CMI, which would eventually allow me to fulfill my life purpose. And here I am, loving it, using my skills on clients like you (and my children) to help them be the best that they can.
I have fulfillment and balance in my life.
If I can do it, so can you!

‘Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure’.
-Nelson Mandela.

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