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On The Table Read Magazine, “the best book magazine in the UK“, author and career coach Rebecca Kirk shares what inspired her to write new book, You’re Here For A Reason, and how she helps her readers.
I interviewed Rebecca Kirk about her life and career, how her new book, You’re Here For A Reason, helps readers on their Career Alignment Journey, and the work that went into writing it.
I work as a career coach for people who are on a spiritual path. I specialise in helping people discover their purpose so they can experience greater fulfilment in their working lives.
Prior to this, I spent 14 years in the world of corporate retail, working in commercial roles for the likes of Boots and Sainsbury’s. I then set up my own business as a retail and brand consultant, before taking a life-changing career break in Sydney in 2010. This led to an awakening which saw me make my ultimate career change and retrain as a coach in 2016.
I now live in Cheshire with my partner and cockerpoo. I am a huge lover of nature, as well as the practice of Kundalini Yoga.
I formally declared my desire to write a book in 2018 when I attended a Hay House Writer’s Workshop. Although I think it had actually been simmering in my subconscious for at least ten years before that! I used to have conversations with my Mum about writing a book, even though at the time I wasn’t sure what the topic was going to be.
I have been writing articles for my own blog as well as some guest blog articles since I began as a coach in 2016. I first began properly writing my book in March 2022.
It took eighteen months from putting pen to paper to releasing my first book. However, in many ways, it has taken a whole lifetime! The book is the culmination of both my own career change journey and the awakenings I have experienced in my life. The idea for the book was already in existence (when I started writing) as the concepts and tools within it are things I have been using with my clients for a number of years now.
Writing this book has very much been something I felt called to do. It feels like it has, in many ways, been written through me. I never planned to have it written at this point in time: it had always been something I planned to do further down the line, once I had reached other milestones or felt more ready. But I went to bed one Sunday night last March and said to my partner “I am meant to start writing my book. Tomorrow!” There was a wave of creative energy which entered the next day and carried me right the way through.
I wanted to write this book because I wanted to make what I do as a coach much more accessible to people. I understand that not everyone is in a position to invest in a coach, and this was my way of offering those people a way forward.
Also, a few years prior, I had been using a daily affirmation “I am accelerating my contribution in the world.” My intention was to reach more people with my work and to reach my own true potential. The book is what I believe transpired from that intention.
I feel very called to do my bit to help the planet become a little more conscious, just as I am raising my own consciousness. I have benefited hugely from the wisdom of some wonderful spiritual teachers and really wanted to pass some of that wisdom on – but in a new way. I wanted to bring a more spiritual approach to career change and help people integrate their working lives with their spiritual lives. It is my dearest wish that anyone who reads my book might awaken to a deeper understanding of who they truly are, and align their working life with greater peace, purpose and prosperity, just as I have been blessed to do.
Certain parts of the book felt a little ‘heavier’ and less joyful to write. This included what I call the ‘business end’ of the book – the more traditional career coaching elements such as identifying skills and goals and creating action plans. I had to dig deep and see the bigger picture and remember why those sections were in the book.
I think the biggest challenge was dealing with an element of perfectionism and the impending sense that, at some point, I would have to let my book go to print. At the very end of the writing process, I found myself in a loop of proofreading and tweaking which seemed never-ending. Luckily, I had a very understanding publisher and typesetter who made the process a little easier!
The research basis for my book was a combination of three things:
The basic structure of the book was born out of the natural sequence of events for what I refer to as a Career Alignment Journey. So, the first part of the book is about ‘preparing the way’ – getting into the right headspace to begin this journey. It then made sense to go deep into the heart of the book’s central topic by exploring the different types of purpose. Part three is then about the detail of what the reader needs to know in order to get greater clarity on what their purpose is. The final part is then about drawing everything together and creating some focus with a set of goals and a plan of action.
Alongside this, there was also an aspect of the structure which emerged intuitively as I was writing it. I had to tune into what a reader might need, versus a coaching client who I could explain things to.
Yes, I did have an editor who sense-checked the structure of the book as well as the copy itself. As I got closer to completion, there were further versions which I edited myself.
I found a great piece of writing software called Reedsy which was brilliant in helping me map out and navigate the different chapters and parts. I also drafted an idea for the front cover on Canva which got me excited and helped me visualise the end product. (I ended up working with a designer on the final cover, which I would ultimately recommend.)
Yes, I would love to bring a more conscious and spiritual approach to setting up and growing your own business. It feels like a natural move on from my first book. For anyone who reads the first book and discovers that their purpose involves being self-employed, it will give them a way of going about it which is similarly in alignment with who they are. Growing my own business in a way which feels congruent with who I am has been a journey (and still is). I feel I have a lot to share on this topic and can tap into my business background too.
I’m not sure I would use the word ‘proud’ actually! I would say more fulfilled. To finally be able to scratch this long-standing itch and to feel like I am realising my potential is hugely rewarding in and of itself, however many copies I might sell. And so, I would definitely say it has been worth the effort. Not just because of the end result, but the joy I have experienced along the way of being able to live out my dream.
My website is: https://rebeccakirk.co.uk
You can order my book via this link: https://rebeccakirk.co.uk/purpose-book/
And you can connect with me through these channels:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rebeccakirkcoaching/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-kirk-3106b95/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaKirkCoaching/
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