Our Coaching Clients – Women and Leaders in Melbourne
My leadership, business, and life coaching clients are people who know how to fit into mainstream culture, but sometimes feel that there’s something missing with a traditional version of success.
Does this sound like you?
- You want to know yourself more deeply in order to feel a greater sense of inner peace.
- You have a vigilant ‘inner critic’ (and maybe you’re a little perfectionistic).
- You might describe yourself as an introvert, sensitive or someone who thinks deeply.
- You sometimes feel like an imposter or you may have always felt a little different.
- You hope to make a positive difference in the world in your lifetime.
- You value the idea of being creative, even if you don’t have a traditionally creative pursuit.
- Even if you don’t meditate, you like the idea of ‘living consciously’.
- You care about living in alignment with your values.
- You want to live a purposeful life.
- You care less about the external measures of ‘success’ and more about being true to yourself.
- You feel restored by spending time in nature and care about taking care of our planet.
- You might describe yourself as spiritual (even if you’re not entirely sure what that means to you).
While my work is especially tailored to support women, particularly those who identify as sensitive, thoughtful or high-functioning, I also work with men and people of all genders who resonate with my approach. I welcome clients from all backgrounds, including LGBTQIA+ and neurodiverse individuals, especially those who value creativity, inner growth and living with intention.
My philosophy
My hope is that my work will help you to discover a greater sense of equanimity, which is where the word ‘balance’ came from when I named the business all those years ago. In truth, I don’t think that we ever achieve ‘total balance’ in a literal sense but I think we need to look at the idea of balance holistically.
Here are some of the things I believe:
1. Real change begins with acceptance
Trying to ‘fix’ ourselves, can sometimes keep us stuck. The turning point often comes when we learn to meet ourselves and our lives with greater acceptance.
2. The more we release control, the more freedom we feel
Chasing certainty can be exhausting. Clinging too tightly to outcomes, roles, or identities, can create suffering. Loosening our grip, even just a little, can bring surprising ease and clarity.
3. Strength can be found in softness
Cultivating compassion (including self-compassion) isn’t weakness – it’s the foundation of resilience, courage and meaningful connection.
4. There’s nowhere to get to
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to achieve goals and improve your life, but peace comes when you stop waiting for things to be perfect before you allow yourself to feel fulfilled.
5. You’re already whole, even as you evolve
It’s human to want to keep learning, growing and unfolding, but you’re already whole and worthy of good things, even in you’re imperfection.
‘I absolutely adore Kate. She is a highly skilled, generous and enormously gifted business coach, especially for those who don’t traditionally consider themselves “business people”. I discovered her through sheer luck (thanks Google), and I remain sincerely grateful for the counsel she offered me back in 2010 when I was first fleshing out the bones for what would become Big Hearted Business. Thanks Kate!’
‘I loved my coaching sessions with Kate and miss them now we’re done! In a very friendly and positive manner Kate helped me to pinpoint exactly what I was looking for in my career. We identified my passions, my strengths, ultimate job criteria and a whole lot more, including balancing career and family life. As a result of our sessions, I am about to launch my own business – something Kate helped me realise I’d been wanting to do for years and that if I didn’t give it a go, I’d likely have regrets. Her supportive and no-nonsense approach, including a wealth of experience and professional network were invaluable in assisting me to take the first very exciting steps.’
‘I first met with Kate when I was at a real career crossroads. Kate helped me to nut out my values and aspirations, recognise my natural talents and then identify opportunities and pathways for me to put that all together so that I could actually make stuff happen. I love the way that Kate was able to calmly and pragmatically break things down to the basics. Put simply, working with Kate helped me to get clear – which has been nothing short of life changing.’ Leanne Clancey, Food & Travel Writer
‘I first engaged the services of Kate James as a business coach back during the initial stages of starting my business. Running a small business was still an unknown for me, and I felt alone and unsure of what I needed to do to make my business a success. Working with Kate really helped me clarify what I wanted to do and how I should go about doing it. She always gave me practical and achievable advice that worked well for my business and, importantly, aligned with my business ethics. Even many years after my initial meetings with Kate, I still regularly draw upon much of the advice she gave me. I credit a large part of my success to the advice and guidance she gave to me in the early days of my business, and the support she gives me to this day.’
‘Kate showed me how to plan towards goals and activities that match my vision and strengths. Change is not scary or unsettling, it’s reinvigorating and natural. It just makes sense. These are life-long skills taught with such grace, logic and empathy. I’ll always be grateful for Kate’s insight and support.’ Cressida Bradley, Director of Explosure
‘Like many small businesses, our growth was rapid and exciting. Working with Kate as our business coach enabled us to put much-needed systems and processes in place to effectively streamline and manage our business. Kate worked with us to clarify our business focus and the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead. Sometimes I couldn’t see the forest for the trees, but Kate had a knack for giving things clarity and putting things into perspective in a succinct and professional way. Meeting with Kate was always an enjoyable experience and we hope to continue our relationship with her as we take the business to another level.’
‘Kate has a real gift for helping her clients stabilise when they’re going through challenges, or a time of growth. She has a wonderfully calm presence. Her advice is practical, grounded and strategic and she expertly guides you to seek your own solutions. In working with me on my kinesiology business during a time of expansion, Kate was able to help me formalise plans, work through many decisions and provide strategic guidance. Kate is generous in her nature and wonderfully affirming and encouraging. I have also seen the highly positive effects working with Kate has had on some of my clients, who always speak of her with the greatest respect.’
‘What has been true with your approach right from the beginning is that you’re not like any other coach. You listened to my personal/business challenges, and provided tools and insights to enable me to understand ways I could overcome the challenges I was faced with. You understood me and what I wanted from the coaching. I could not have envisaged the benefits that your coaching has made, or the results I’ve achieved after such a short period of time. The investment has paid for itself well over: in my new efficiencies, and releasing my focus on the one thing that had me frozen – unable to make progress. I now approach the future with excitement, anticipation, and empowerment. I would not hesitate to recommend Kate James of Total Balance to anyone who has goals and dreams, be it for life or business, that they want to achieve and don’t know where to begin, or how to get there.’
Still have questions about personal and professional coaching?
If you still have questions about the way that Kate works, or about coaching in general, you might find the answers on our frequently asked questions page or please contact us for a copy of our brochure or a proposal if your workplace is funding your coaching program. Coaching is generally tax deductible.
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