How to age with attitude

Neuro Linguistic Programming (or NLP for short) may sound like a bit of a tongue twister and, frankly, many of us will have never heard of it, but Lindsey Agness is an NLP expert and says that you can use the technique to determine what you want in life, improve your relationships and increase your happiness levels. She explains why she feels life coaching can work better than cosmetic surgery at improving your happiness levels and why she has set up her Age With Attitude courses.

What first inspired you to write your book and then set up a business offering life coaching?

I set up my business in 2005 after 12 years as a business consultant with a global consulting firm. As soon as I discovered NLP I knew that I wanted to utilise it to set up my own business using NLP for performance improvement in business and to assist individuals to create change in their lives – whether that meant a new relationship, career, healthier way of life etc.

I was inspired to write my first book when I suddenly got sick in June 2006. I had a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) in my right leg and I was immobile for several weeks. What better time to start the book project!

What would you say to someone contemplating cosmetic surgery to improve their looks?

I’d tell them about all the evidence that suggests that cosmetic surgery does not create long-term change. It is a quick fix, which doesn’t resolve limiting beliefs that we may have about ourselves. I’d strongly advise them to experiment with changing from the inside out FIRST as this is the only to guarantee long-term change. This starts with reading personal development books such as my first book ‘Change Your Life with NLP’ or taking coaching or attending a personal development programme.

Why do you feel that confidence is a big issue with women in particular?

Many women spend time out of the workplace bringing up children or they may be in jobs where men still enjoy all the top roles. These situations start to dilute confidence levels.

Why are you targeting middle-aged women in your Age With Attitude coaching programme?

Because I am one and I’m fed up with the media portraying us as ‘over the hill’ and no longer sexy. I’m using the Age with Attitude programme to turn these out-dated media images on their heads. AWA is for women who believe in beginnings not endings. I can also use my own personal experiences to motivate other mid-life women to change.

You Age with Attitude Programme lasts 10 months – how much would it cost and is it more cost-effective when compared to having cosmetic surgery?

The Age with Attitude programme costs £2000 + VAT. This covers 10 days of training and coaching sessions. This is less than most cosmetic surgery procedures. AWA also delivers permanent change that’s why it’s structured in the way it is. Cosmetic surgery can lead addictive behaviour (one operation is never enough) which ends up costing many £1000′s more than my AWA programme.

Can you tell us what qualifications you have to be able to offer confidence coaching?

I am a Practitioner, Master Practitioner and Trainer of NLP. Also, a Master Trainer of Time Line Therapy and Trainer of Hypnotherapy. I am also training to become a Master Trainer of NLP, one of the few female masters in the UK.

How did setting up a business and writing a book fit in with your own family life?

I had to make many sacrifices in setting up the business. In some ways it’s flexible and there’s so much to do in the early days that I worked very long hours and travelled a lot. Writing can fit well around family life as it’s very flexible – you agree a deadline with your publisher and then you can write whenever you choose.

Did you undergo any life coaching yourself when you realized that Botox didn’t help your levels of happiness?

I’ve had coaching myself over the years to keep my own personal goals on track. This was not related to the Botox, which was an experiment to see what happened. It helped me understand the temporary nature of these treatments.

What does help to make you feel happy?

I believe that I choose whether I’m going to be happy each day when I get up in the mornings. Being grateful for all the great people, places and things in my life helps as well.

Do you have any examples of women you have helped in the past that you can share with us?

I’ve worked with many women – for example, (names changed) Mandy who recently left her relationship after 30 years. She needed to break away for her own well-being after working hard for two years to make the marriage work. She is now back on track with her own new house and new relationship.

Or Kay who set up her own business after 20 years working for local government and living life in the Grey Zone. She now is a personal trainer and coach.

Or Jane who had had a phobia of balloons for 35 years that meant she couldn’t have them at her children’s parties. I assisted her to get over this phobia in 10 minutes using NLP.

Finally, Maria who always had to be perfect at everything which was exhausting for her. She has now let that go and enjoys her life so much more.

For more information please visit: www.agewithattitude.co.uk

Tags: Inspirational Women, Self improvement & wellbeing, Women in business