The Woman Who Didn’t Want to Talk About Work (And Got a Promotion Anyway)

I would really love to share the journey of one of my beautiful clients, Naomi.

When Naomi first came to me, she was lonely. Not for lack of trying either, she kept herself incredibly busy, filling her days to the brim, and had no self-control when it came to spending. And yet that loneliness just wouldn’t shift, it was all the same thing really, staying busy, spending, saying yes to everyone and everything, all of it a way of trying to fill that hollow feeling inside without even realising it.

She was deeply shy and really struggling with her confidence, and in conversations people would often talk right over the top of her. To keep the peace, she would go along with what others wanted, quietly setting aside her own needs, wants and desires so that everyone else could be happy.

And here’s the thing about Naomi. This was a strong, independent woman in her 50s who absolutely knew how to advocate fiercely for others she loved. But somewhere along the way, she had lost sight of how to advocate for herself. She told me she felt like life was passing her by, like she was merely surviving rather than truly living.

She was a little unsure about working with a coach at first, but she decided enough was enough and that it was time to start choosing herself. And I’m so glad she did.

In our initial talk about what Naomi wanted to focus on, I asked about work, and she shut that down immediately. Work paid the bills, and that was enough, even though she felt completely underappreciated and undervalued there. She had no interest in exploring it, so we moved on to what she did want to work on.

Naomi set some beautiful goals around using her voice, speaking her truth, feeling worthy and showing up for herself. And despite her wobbles along the way, because that’s part of the process, she kept showing up, kept leaning into the uncomfortable, and did the work.

Here’s where things get really good...

As Naomi began speaking up and honouring her truth in all areas of her life, something unexpected started happening at work, the very place she didn’t even want to talk about. About halfway through our time together, her workplace started to notice. They saw how capable she really was, and she was offered a promotion into a role with more responsibility. Work was starting to feel fulfilling and satisfying, like she genuinely belonged at the management table.

But the shifts didn’t stop there. As her confidence grew, so did her willingness to be honest with herself about what she needed and what she was no longer willing to put up with. She got clearer on her boundaries and started standing up for herself with her family too. It was beautiful to witness.

Towards the end of our time together, she said to me: “I stood my ground, which felt really good.” And more than once, with a massive smile on her face, she declared: “You know what, I am worth it.”

Honestly, I get emotional even writing this, because the woman sitting across from me at the end of our time together was so beautifully different from the one who had first reached out to me.

To the outside world, Naomi had always been kind, caring and compassionate, beautiful inside and out. But on the inside she had been struggling for so long to connect with her own wants, needs and desires because she’d buried them deep, for too long, in service of everyone else.

When Naomi first came to me, she felt like life was passing her by, but something in her knew it didn’t have to stay that way. She made a choice, she leaned in, she did the work, and she is now living life her way, on her own terms. I am so incredibly proud of her!

If any part of Naomi’s story resonates with you, if you’re the woman who keeps saying yes when you mean no, who has been putting everyone else first and quietly wondering when it will be your turn, I want you to know that it can be different.

🩷 Because you are worth it too. 🩷

Ready to take that first step? Here are two ways you can work with me:

1. Join my free Masterclass, “No is a Complete Sentence”, where we’ll dive into boundaries, confidence and reclaiming your voice.

2. Work with me 1:1, book a no obligation Discovery Call and let’s have a conversation about what’s possible for you.