“Following the darkest year of my life where my career and personal life were in tatters, I contacted Steve Preston, a former boss of mine, who had been very influential earlier in my career.
Steve invited me to attend a career transition workshop that he was running a few days later. My immediate inward reaction was ‘You must be joking. My football team has an important relegation battle that afternoon.’ But I quickly realised that in having asked for Steve’s help, I was being given an immediate opportunity to do something positive about my life.
There were just four of us at the 'One Step Beyond' Workshop. Although we all came from different backgrounds, we all had a similar reason for being there, looking for some inspiration and direction.
In Steve and Debbie, the workshop was run by two people who really knew their stuff and worked together as a great double act, bouncing ideas off each other and reacting to everything that was said. They were able to find a positive in every comment or suggestion that was made and were able to make people think about themselves in a different way.
It was an inspirational day and I left the workshop feeling much more positive and with a new determination. I’d missed an important football match, but I had gained so much more in terms of what my life needed.
My career and life really went into a new era following the workshop and I haven't looked back since. Soon afterwards, I applied for the BBC’s Lottery Jet Set quiz programme and subsequently appeared on prime time TV with my twin brother for three successive weeks. It was a fabulous experience and turned out be very productive in terms of job interviews. Appearing knowledgeable, calm and collected in front of five million people live on TV was probably quite an asset!
Following my TV appearances, I started doing some work for a company that reviews luxury hotels worldwide. Since then I have travelled regularly to the Middle East and also reviewed some of London’s top hotels. I have also done some interesting consultancy work for an Australian Travel company and been asked to consider various special projects.
The Full Day Workshop is for people from every conceivable background, who may need to give their career and/or their life a boost. It is for anyone who is stuck in a rut, have lost their way, or are frustrated by what they are doing, or maybe struggling to see anything positive ahead. It is for people who need experts to coach and guide them in the right direction, to assist with career or life choices and to instill confidence where it may be lacking.
Thank you Steve and Debbie for all your help and support"
Jes Paine
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