By Sophie Brigstocke
This week a new doula was sharing that she hadn’t got any clients yet and wondered what she was doing wrong.
It’s been almost twenty years since I stepped into self-employment and I can still remember those early days when there was more fear than excitement around making it work.
It was so easy to look at what other people were offering and think that I wasn’t as desirable. It was so easy to dive into stories like …
- Why would someone choose me over that amazing doula over there who also offers hypnobirthing
- Why would someone pick me when I haven’t done any/many births?
- Why would someone pick me when I haven’t got additional feeding qualifications?
- Why would someone choose me when I didn’t have the “right” birth experience myself?
Comparisonitis as I like to describe it – the illness of comparing ourselves to others – it is rarely helpful!
Thankfully, on this call, there were other wonderful doulas – some really experienced and others nearer the start of their doula journey – who were all able to listen and offer reassurance and useful suggestions. I love the Nurturing Birth community so much – always compassionate and supportive. There was also a mentor who had valuable reflective questions to ask the doula about what they were actively doing to attract clients in.
Becoming a doula is not just about being passionate about supporting families in the perinatal period, it is also about stepping into running a business. We build business development into all our courses, however we also recognise the need for ongoing support which is why mentoring is so fundamental to everything we offer, as well as our weekly Virtual Cuppa gatherings.
Last week we had one of our regular Dreaming of Being a Doula workshops – an ideal opportunity for anyone thinking of training to be a doula – two hours of being in a Nurturing Birth space, hearing from recent Nurturing Birth course attendees and having your questions answered. Why not take a look at the next dates and sign up?
For anyone who wants to work one-to-one on self-confidence, removing limiting beliefs and setting positive goals for their future then come and spend a Step Into Your Power day with me. Those who have joined me recently have had such positive feedback, like Jan:
“I feel fabulous. The fear’s gone, the worry’s gone … Absolutely, would recommend this to anyone, it really, really has started another chapter for me, so thank you so much.”
Hope you have a wonderful week!
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