Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Churchill.
Hi Barbara, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit and have built three successful businesses. While each was different, they had a similar thread running through them – helping people manage their self-doubt so they can own their talents and become their best selves. When I started having kids, I knew I didn’t want to work in an office anymore, and that is when my first business was born. I raised three amazing kids during it all. Lots of nights and weekends. Lots of making mistakes and learning, too. I learned the most about myself and how resilient I am. I never let my failures keep me down. I kept going because deep down I believed in myself. I coached and trained employees, trained salespeople at national conferences and added speaking to my offerings. You know the saying, “all roads lead to Rome,” well, for me, all roads led to being an executive coach and professional speaker. It’s my passion.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No road is ever smooth when you’re dealing with people and building a business- which sometimes makes it fun. I’ve had a home office long before it was in vogue, so there’s a balance thing that I needed to address. I had to learn how not to work long hours. When you work for yourself, it’s easy to think you have to always be working. Our society supports that as well with all the “make it happen” and “work hard play hard” messaging. What they don’t tell you is that if you work all the time, you don’t have anything left – especially for play. I burned out not once but twice. Talk about an overachiever! I had to set boundaries around my office and personal hours – and enforce them with whoever was butting up against them. It’s knowing when to shut it off and be mom, wife, friend, or just me. Making space just for “me time” is crucial. We’re a society of doers. That’s great but not sustainable. In order to create something new and fresh, you need space in your brain to allow creativity to flow. That’s when ideas rush in.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I work with high-achieving professionals in the corporate space and entrepreneurs. My specialties include effective communication, executive presence, confidence in a new role, and creating team culture. I am known as the confidence coach for high achievers. You may think they don’t need more confidence, but they sure do. The more successful you are, the more you may lack a belief in yourself and your abilities. The bigger your job, the more pressure you feel. That’s all imposter syndrome and it can be crippling if not dealt with. You think you need to be perfect or work even harder to prove you have value, or people please, so you don’t make waves. It can be very costly to have a leader who makes decisions from this mindset. I like to say I help people own their seat at the leadership table and lead authentically.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Coaching has exploded over the last decade, and I don’t see that changing much in the future. Just think about it. You have someone in your corner, supporting you, helping you know your mind and how certain patterns of thinking and behavior are holding you back. You learn to trust your instincts and own your gifts and talents. Just think of me as your strategic partner and coach who is master certified in a couple of coaching modalities, tells you the truth, and helps you see yourself without all the judgment. You get to become the best version of you. What could be better than that?
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.barbarachurchill.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbarachurchillcoaching/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barbarachurchillcoaching
- LinkedIn: https://www.
linkedin.com/in/barbara- churchill
