Activate your natural potential

"Éadaoin O'Brien is a regular at Jigginstown Manor, transitional housing for young adults. She visits us from time to time and delivers tailored workshops on whatever the residents need at that time. Some topics varied from financial tools, personal development, academic readiness, etc. Éadaoin is kind, patient, and proactive and meets the clients where they are, providing them with a value appropriate for the level that they are at and gradually increasing their ceiling."

My coaching sessions with Éadaoin came at a point of real change for me. Having worked in the same organisation for 17 years and having reached a fairly senior level, I took voluntary redundancy in my mid 50’s due to a restructure. To begin with my focus was to talk through interview techniques but it soon became apparent that my need for a coach was much broader than this. I felt confused and my confidence and self-esteem was low. I was facing lots of uncertainty and I was unsure of what I should do next. My sessions with Éadaoin gave me the opportunity to talk through my feelings about the redundancy allowing me to move forward to discuss, explore and realise my strengths, values and personal motivations.  Éadaoin is a great listener with the ability to ask probing questions which often made me question my assumptions.  I came away from each session with a better understanding of myself and with greater clarity about the direction I might take next. Each session was a really positive experience and I found it really easy to open up and talk to Éadaoin which was incredibly important for me.

"Éadaoin O'Brien and I met for the first time in Tbilisi, Georgia. In 2018, I was a member of the Open Society Foundation Summer School cohort. As we went in-depth into the summer school, I got to see how professional, eloquent and proficient she was. For most of us coming straight from developing countries and for me an African country, the western education system was far from what I was used to. Éadaoin guided us all on how to write eloquent and persuasive essays presenting our ideas in an organized manner. She was understanding of our background, so she was patient with us, teaching us at our own pace, and spending time with each of us individually. At the end of the summer school, thanks to her continual guidance and encouragement, I was able to earn a distinction on my paper, which was a huge satisfaction and confidence for my next journey in my master's studies. The skill set she shared with me followed me to my master's program. Even there, Éadaoin has helped me get through the academic year as a mentor. I was able to complete my master's dissertation with distinction and have it published on the University website by utilizing the skill set I obtained from the summer school and the coaching that followed during my studies. Now working with UNHCR as a GBV Consultant, the foundation laid in my life in the summer of 2018 has come across in my work, which has me thank Éadaoin once again."

“I felt stuck at a time when I needed to identify alternatives for my financial and work life future. Working with Éadaoin helped me to kickstart my motivation and confidence and streamline my focus towards the next steps in my life. She establishes a safe and confidential space where you can explore and self-reflect with the intention of working towards identified goals. I’d recommend giving it a go!”