Inspiring Interview With Emma Dechoux, Chief Inspirer At Inspired Learning

We catch up with Emma Dechoux, Chief Inspirer of Inspired Learning, which is a Training and Coaching business where Emma inspires you to achieve results through learning in workshops, programmes and coaching.

Tell Us About Your Career So Far.

At 27, I started my role at Phones 4u in Recruitment and quickly moved into my first role as a Trainer and I loved it!  I get a huge sense of satisfaction from seeing people learn and develop. I progressed my career within Phones 4u as a Management Development Consultant but the company I loved and worked at for 7 years closed its doors for the last time in 2014 and I was left without a job.

I completely changed industries and moved into healthcare as a Learning and Development Manager and then to a facilities management company with 55,000 employees also as a Learning & Development Manager. Whilst in this role I was also the Ambassador for the Women’s Network.

In 2018 I made the decision to set up my own Training and Coaching business and Inspired Learning was born and I’m loving every minute! I’m also very proud to say that in March this year my partner Marc left his graphic design role after 24 years to join me as Operations Director.

What 2 Things Do You Do To Build Your Confidence?

I shut out negative people, as long as the people that are closest to me love and care for me, that’s all that matters.

I don’t take myself too seriously and if I look silly doing something or make a fool of myself I just laugh it off. Life’s for having fun not for worrying about what other people think of you.

Whenever I’ve got an important event or meeting, I make sure I wear one of my favourite outfits that I feel amazing in. If I look good, I feel good and will ooze confidence!

What Has Been Your Biggest Life Lesson So Far?

Don’t wait too long for the things you want. I put off some things in my career like setting up my own business because I thought, I’ll do it after I’ve had children.

I’ve had some complications over the years which has led me to being 38 and still no children.

In 2018 I thought, I’m not waiting and putting it off any longer – life is too short.

How Do You Feel About Getting Older?

I don’t think anybody really likes the thought of getting older and I especially don’t like the frequency of how often I have to dye my hair these days to cover the greys.  But I’m a big believer in not focusing and pouring all your energy into the things that you can’t control in life as you’ll have no energy left for the things you can control.

It’s inevitable, we’re all going to get older and I can’t control that. What I can control is having as much fun as I can, making the most out of life and making memories that I can look back on and say, ‘we had a brilliant time’.

What’s Your Purpose In Life?

To inspire as many people as possible to see the true potential inside themselves and have the confidence, skills and tools they need to be successful in whatever they want to do.  And to love and look after those around me to the best of my ability.

How Do You Balance Work And Life Responsibilities?  What Sacrifices Have You Made?

I’ve sacrificed a lot in the past, working all hours in the office or at home on the laptop till the early hours of the morning and it has sometimes made me ill.

As I’ve got older, I’ve realised life is about much more than constantly working so I’ve worked very hard to work smarter and not harder. I deliver time management workshops and I use the tools I train myself to ensure that I am organised.

Now that I have my own business, I make sure that my partner and I take at least 1 well-being day out of the business a month to do something relaxing, fun and ultimately to switch off for a few hours.

It’s so important to make that time as it will make you more productive in the long run. It’s about being proactive with your self-care not reactive.

What Are Your Top Self-Care Tips?  How Do You Relax?

As above, I take out well-being days. I make sure that for my own self-care I do things that are good for my body and my mind. I love a spa day, a nice long walk or something completely different that we’ve not done before.

We hired a narrow boat for the day in June and it was so peaceful and relaxing on the canal.

I find running and yoga are best for my mindset.  Running really helps me clear my mind and I feel so full of energy when I come back. I’ve been known to come back for an early morning run and say to my partner ‘come on we’re painting the kitchen today’. I think he dreads me going sometimes as he has no idea what I’ll get him into when I return!

What Advice Would You Give The Next Generation Of Girls?

Stay true to you.  Do what makes your heart sing.  Take time out for you and don’t feel guilty for it.  Take chances and make mistakes but learn from them.  And most importantly HAVE FUN!