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The Creative Life

Coaching for creatives

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I’m here to help you thrive as a creative professional.

You are a musician, writer, artist, designer, photographer, entrepreneur. You work in the arts, or a creative industry such as TV, film, fashion, or publishing.

Perhaps you’re taking a new direction with your work. You’ve reached a certain level of success, but you want to go further. Or you just want to keep up with the rapid pace of change in your industry.

Maybe you want to do your next big project with less drama, fewer sleepless nights. You want more balance, more fun – more inspiration.

If any of this feels like you, then welcome! You’re in the right place.

My name is Sheryl, and I help creatives find the success they want, making work they love. Because what you make matters.

Creative Thinking

Tools, tips and resources for living your most creative life

Let's talk about confidence

Let’s talk about confidence.

Two coaching sessions, with two A-list performers who lack confidence. Success is no cure for a loud inner critic!

Read moreLet’s talk about confidence.
Clean up your creative life

Clean up your creative life

Declutter. Reset. Reorganise. Refresh. Give your creative life a spring clean, to make work easier!

Read moreClean up your creative life
Want a consistent flow of ideas?

Want a consistent flow of creative ideas?

Ideas are currency. Whether you’re starting a business, writing for a living or making art — here’s how to have more of them.

Read moreWant a consistent flow of creative ideas?
Mistakes, and how to correct them

So you’ve made a mistake in your business. Now what?

Don’t let perfectionism hold you back. Learn to own your mistakes, and how to correct them gracefully

Read moreSo you’ve made a mistake in your business. Now what?
Micro-breaks

Micro-breaks: How to make space, even on your busiest days

Tiny habits that make a huge difference when you’re stressed and overwhelmed

Read moreMicro-breaks: How to make space, even on your busiest days
My 90-day LinkedIn experiment

My 90-day LinkedIn experiment: the results

I posted on LinkedIn most days, for three months. The results surprised me.

Read moreMy 90-day LinkedIn experiment: the results

Are you ready to grow your creative business?

A ten-day course to help you make the most of your skills

Created especially for artists, designers, musicians, writers –

and anyone else who makes a living from their creative work.

Ten days, ten emails to help you build a business – and a life – that works for you.

Stop surviving as a self-employed creative, and start thriving.

Get day one sent to your in-box now – it’s free!

GET YOUR FREE COURSE NOW!

Making It

Creatives at the very top of their game share their thoughts on success, failure and the creative life

DJ Paulette

DJ Paulette in the house!

A DJ pioneer who is still going strong, Paulette has done it all. With style.

Read moreDJ Paulette in the house!
You don't need permission

You don’t need funding to make your art

You just need to begin. That’s how the magic really happens.

Read moreYou don’t need funding to make your art
Artists at work

Artists at work (saving the planet)

Can art save the world? These artists are quietly trying, with a new book showing how they bring sustainability into their work and practice

Read moreArtists at work (saving the planet)
William Shaw

William Shaw on a life in crime

William Shaw is now a successful crime writer. But it took 30 years and three failed novels for him to find the audience his writing deserves.

Read moreWilliam Shaw on a life in crime
Tom Hodgkinson

Tom Hodgkinson: the hardest working man in slow business

The editor of The Idler magazine on his new book, and why we should all be a little more idle

Read moreTom Hodgkinson: the hardest working man in slow business
$100,000 a year from piano lessons

$100k a year from piano lessons

Ayana Webb has an impressive business teaching piano online. Whatever your skill, if you can teach it, you can do it too

Read more$100k a year from piano lessons

Success Stories

Here’s what some of my coaching clients say about me.

Sheryl is an extraordinary listener

I’ve always loved the story of The Three Bears and I’m telling you that Sheryl is ‘Just right’! She has a direct, simple approach tempered with a touch of whimsy. She deeply knows the process and pitfalls of the creative life and can be vulnerable without being self-effacing. She is extremely insightful and gets right to the heart of things very quickly but remains respectful and is not pushy or proselytising. And above all she is an extraordinary listener. You can feel her acceptance and empathy and know she is rooting for you. I’ve taken her 10-week group coaching programme and am starting one-on-one coaching. Can’t wait to see what will unfold this year!

The sessions made a real difference

I enjoyed the coaching sessions, and they have made a real difference. Starting with outlook, then practical solutions, which have filtered through to all aspects of my working life.  I am much happier as a result, in my work practice but also generally. An effect I hadn’t expected!  It’s been great going through working methods and getting a different perspective – interesting hearing about tools Sheryl uses herself for work, as well as those of other people.
Sian Pattenden
Artist, writer, presenter

My creativity sparked back to life!

coaching for writers
I hired Sheryl to help me get back into the discipline of writing and out of a creative rut. She quickly found the reason for my creative drought: I was working far too much under too much stress, and it was sapping my emotional, mental, and physical energy. She slowly helped me to pull back from work and as I did, my creativity sparked back to life. After 12 sessions, I had left my toxic job, was enjoying quality time with my family, was in the best mental state I had been in for well over a year, and had written over 30 pages of my book. I am now in a new role in a new industry (which I pursued with Sheryl’s championing) and feel confident this book will reach completion. If you are searching for a creative coach with real expertise to help you change your mindset and take the next step in your creative career, look no further!
Chelsea Angeletti
Writer, Chicago

My business is growing, I’m playing and releasing music

Patter & Hum
Before starting coaching, I was afraid I would never figure out how to make my musical and creative skills translate into a career. I struggled with my confidence and a lack of clarity.  Sheryl helped me put those fears to rest.  She encouraged me to think big, and let go of things that weren’t working. Pretty soon we had a plan. Now I have my own small studio, and I’m regularly booking clients for music and audio production services. Sheryl helped by insisting that I value my own work and my time, put my work out there for the world to see, and make a regular practice of reaching out for new opportunities. My business is growing, I’m playing and releasing music, and I’ve never been more motivated!
Harrison Adams
Musician, sound designer and producer, USA

Sheryl gave me a toolkit I’ll draw on again and again

Before Sheryl, I was hurtling through life, a ‘YES’ machine in guilt overdrive, all balls in the air, with no end goal. Sheryl helped me to unravel my work ethic and lay it bare. She has given me a toolkit that I will draw upon again and again. She has provided me with nuggets of wisdom, life hacks, seemingly obvious solutions that I’d have never thought of.

Beyond that, a new confidence in myself and my choices. I feel I’m much closer to the great mystery that is, a work-life balance as a working mother. I would wholly recommend her as your life, business and creative coach.

Jaina Minton
Set designer and prop stylist

Six weeks after our session, I have a book drafted!

Piers Sanderson

It is testament to the session we had that so much has happened since. I can’t say everything has been down to that conversation, but it was certainly the catalyst. Aside from having new tools to cope with the lockdown, it spurred me to do something I had been meaning to do: write a book. Six weeks later, I have a first draft of 71,000 words.

Having a creative endeavour, a new artistic challenge to unravel during the coronavirus crisis, not only kept my mind off the horrors of what was happening outside my door, not only did it cushion me from the boredom of inactivity, it consumed me. I loved it! My mind stayed in the story well after I had finished tapping away at my computer. So thank you, Sheryl. You’ve been a wonderful support and you gave me the kick to try something I hadn’t been able to do!

Piers Sanderson
film-maker

I feel more in tune with myself

Gabrielle Motola

I’ve been working with Sheryl now for about four months and the difference in my confidence and clarity as a professional is significant. I feel much more in tune with myself, my energy, and my ability to not only navigate what can be at times challenging professional relationships but more importantly, the relationship I have with myself. When it comes to the work I take on and execute, my vision is much clearer and more balanced.

Sheryl is wise, direct yet considerate and generous with her time and energy. She has helped me get on the track I’ve always wanted to be on with the way I approach my professional work. The skills I have been learning with her are spilling over into my personal life, too. My only reservation in recommending her is that she will become too busy to work with me!

Gabrielle Motola
Photographer, author, producer

I could continue these conversations forever!

Vinca Petersen

Sheryl helped me to order my chaos without losing any of my creativity. She’s given me a much greater sense of the value of my work and ultimately myself.

She also gave me new insights into how my physical state affected my work. I look forward to each session, and could continue these conversations forever!

Vinca Petersen
Artist

An amazing journey

Neil Horenz-Kelly

The last 12 weeks have been an amazing journey. I have moved out of some pretty fixed beliefs that I held onto for too long, and I feel I am growing again. Being creative often means working in isolation, so learning that I am not alone with some of my fears and processes was a huge relief.

I look forward to our sessions. They’re the best part of the week! These aren’t everyday conversations. They are purposeful dialogues with real results.

Neil Horenz-Kelly
Artist and gallery owner

I’m working less and making more money

Jenn Hume

Oh, the dark days before Sheryl! The hours were long, the nights sleepless, and the income low. I was moving forward, but at a snail’s pace. It was frustrating, but I’d just decided that was How Things Had To Be.

I’m now working less hours and making more money. Setting my income goal for the coming quarter, I realised I’d already exceeded it in the previous quarter. So I had to set a more ambitious one! Sheryl should come with a warning, really: “Working with me may result in you achieving your goals earlier than anticipated.”

I sleep much better, thanks to boundaries I’ve put in place with Sheryl’s kind but firm, no-fluff coaching. I’m no longer working weekends, and I’ve taken a month off. I’ve also quit vaping and I’m exercising more. I’m feeling much more confident now. I’ve realised my super-duper organisational skills are a creative strength rather than something to be hidden away, and my business has started to soar.

Jenn Hume
Hell Yeah Tech

Sheryl helped me open up a new path

I started working with Sheryl at a major transitional moment in my working life. I felt stuck in old patterns. It was time to find a new way of using my creative skills, and take more risks in the way that I worked. As a single parent, with all the responsibility on me, it has always felt so hard to go freelance. Sheryl helped me open up a new path. I don’t see the roadblocks now, I just feel that I hold the key to a more fearless life.

She has walked a similar creative path to the people she helps. With experience, humour, straight-talking and a dash of holistic energy, Sheryl helped me see how I can now bring home the bacon for my loved ones while finding more balance in everything – and taking more risks. She made change feel exciting and fun. I am finally on my way to juggling it all – and enjoying it more!

SB
TV Executive

I feel that my life is opening up

When I began working with Sheryl my confidence was low, and I felt there were many things blocking my progress. It is very hard to look back to how I was before, as so much has changed for me.

The results have been amazing. Sheryl is a consummate coach, gentle and able to challenge me in a supportive way.

I feel that my life is opening up. I’m more comfortable with who I am, and can see how I can fulfil my purpose. I’m extremely grateful to Sheryl, and would recommend her to take anyone on an exciting journey to a new way of life.

AM
Head of a foundation funding women's education

I’m becoming the greatest version of myself

Sheryl is an amazing coach. She always guided me appropriately and with great care, making suggestions as to how I could progress on key challenges, but also on how I could also make my journey to my goals fun and enriching, and always with an eye towards becoming the greatest version of myself.

I have no hesitation in highly recommending Sheryl as a coach. I feel like my life has taken a massive turn for the better in the space of 12 short weeks!

GG
opera singer

Sheryl helped me find perspective

Yurt at the Wise Words poetry festival

For years I juggled running a festival with family life and earning enough to live. Although I worked long days with little time off, I loved it and just about kept my head above water. But my energy levels and resilience were low, and it didn’t take much to knock me off balance. I began to feel overwhelmed by my workload, depressed and increasingly lacking in confidence. It became a downward spiral that left me feeling paralysed.

Sheryl listened to my fears, helped me find perspective and develop strategies to cope. Helping me to recognise my strengths, she peeled back the layers of insecurity and allowed me to reconnect with the person inside that I had lost.

Supporting, challenging and guiding, she gave me the awareness to recognise when my life is moving out of balance, and the tools to help me bring it back on track. I look back on the person I was three months ago, and I can’t recognise her. I want to thank Sheryl from the bottom of my heart for helping me find myself again.

Beth Cuenco
Founder of the Wise Words poetry festival

Coaching helped me reconnect with what I love about freelancing

A few months ago I was caught up in the turmoil of burnout and beating myself up for what felt like failing every day under a deluge of work and other commitments.

Coaching helped me reconnect with what I love about freelancing, and with what’s important to me. And – dare I say it – it’s helped me play and relax more.

Now I seem to get more done,. And when I do have a stressful day, I have a different perspective and better ways to deal with it.

 

Jo Hall
Editor, writer, curator

Packed with great ideas, practical advice, useful exercises

What can I say about Sheryl’s ten-week creative coaching course? Highly recommended!
I signed up looking to connect to other creatives, gain insights and advice and learn how to move my own practice forward in positive, yet realistic ways. The course delivered all of the above and more, packed with great ideas, practical advice, useful exercises and delivered in a supportive environment. Sheryl is fantastic. She just gets it, and she empowers you to make smart choices, reflect proactively and determine future directions. And my fellow course-members – what a great bunch of people!
Professor Lawrence Zeegen
Design educator, speaker and writer, UK

From corporate job to freelance creativity

A few weeks ago, I finished the third draft of a novel. I’ll be sending it off to agents soon, as well as investigating self-publishing options. I’m also premiering my art film about the post-industrial landscape of north west England. Neither of these projects would have got off the ground without Sheryl.
She helped me transition from my rewarding but stressful and corporate-heavy job into a freelance career focused around creativity. Her thoughtful insights encourage sustainable working practices any creative person would find invaluable.
John Ludlam
Writer and filmmaker

I believe in my creative skills again!

Sheryl’s calm approach helped my work and my emotional wellbeing.

It’s a lonely business being self-employed, and I needed her unwavering support and encouragement.

My confidence has grown massively, and I believe in my creative skills again! 

Jemma Watts
Photographer

This is someone who can help

When I first saw Sheryl’s website, I said to myself, “This is someone who can help me.”  I was right. 

In a single session, Sheryl was able to diagnose what I needed to do to boost my business. She told me what I was doing right and how to amplify that; and she pointed out where I could step up and be clearer. All along the way, Sheryl gave me concrete steps to take on multiple fronts: my website and figuring out how to connect with and find “my people”. 

Sheryl has a gift for seeing the best in a person, articulating that, and working from that to shore up any weak spots in very clear, actionable steps.  I am so glad I reached out for help – and I’m coming back for more!

Leslie Quigless
Novelist, speaker, somatic practictioner

Experienced, and not afraid to say hard stuff

“Sheryl is strong, experienced, and not afraid to say hard stuff. But she also doesn’t take herself too seriously! I highly recommend signing up for her newsletter, joining one of her courses, and hiring her 1-on-1 to help you in your unique creative hopes, fears, dreams, blocks, and projects.”
Jonathon Stalls
artist, author, activist

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