About Matt McCormick
I love coaching. It's part of my own journey and the story behind That Notion.
I started That Notion Coaching as a way to help people thrive in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond. This isn’t about chasing a life shaped by social media or external pressures that mould our career, family and life expectations. It’s about discovering where you are, where you want to be and how you want to get there. I don't have a masterplan for you to follow. I’m here to help you uncover your own masterplan, your true aspirations and to craft a life that’s genuinely fulfilling, uniquely tailored to who you are and what you value most.
Background
Matt McCormick
As well as being a life coach, I have 35 years experience in IT and am a lifelong Scot. I am an occasionally put upon but mostly happy husband and father, embracing the ups and downs of family life with a smile (most of the time).
Life is more than the 9 to 5 and I have had different small businesses or side hustles alongside IT. I've DJ'd, run events and occasionally admit to being a musician. As a qualified Life Coach, I’m particularly passionate about well-being, with a strong focus on Positive Psychology. I believe in empowering others to find their own balance, embrace their potential, and create a life they truly love.
Story So Far...
Before transitioning to full-time coaching, I spent 35 years in IT, over a decade of which was in management roles, culminating as Head of Application Support and Development and a member of the Senior Management Team.
This role marked a significant career shift, accompanied by different stressors that steered me toward personal well-being techniques as well as the more traditional management methods.
Incorporating tools such as mindfulness and journaling, I gradually found my footing amidst these changes, focusing on self-care, establishing boundaries, and achieving a better work-life balance.
Notions
However, as I approached the end of my time in IT, I felt a profound dissatisfaction with the changing management practices that increasingly diverged from my own values.
Simultaneously, at home, life was also changing. My son had grown up, and family life was changing. My wife and I were transitioning from being primarily parents to rediscovering life as a couple, but a couple that were 20 years older!
Now, none of this happened over night. We didn’t one day convene a big formal meeting, with an agenda on what must change. The conversation was organic - a chat here, an idea there - gradually crafting a life that suited us as a couple in our 50s with a grown-up son. For me, looking into different ideas behind well-being and coaching helped a lot.
Moving Forward
Mindfulness and journaling allowed me to slow down my thoughts, stop feeling overwhelmed with thoughts of ‘what next’, and start to get an understanding of what it was I wanted from life.
It was early in my final role as a manager and starting to explore the ideas behind well-being that I started to get a passion for coaching, learning more and more about it and finally becoming a qualified Life Coach.
Today, I continue to learn and adapt. Life keeps changing, but I’m better equipped to handle these shifts. I recognise my feelings more quickly and, while I still have personal goals like improving my fitness, I’m stronger and healthier than I was in my 40s. More importantly, I am happier, engaged in work I love, and feel contentment more often than I have for many years.
Coaching in a Nutshell
After years immersed in the world of self-help, I realised that the deeper I delved, the clearer it became - living your best life hinges on aligning closely with your values. This idea isn’t revolutionary, but I noticed a recurring challenge - many resources had elements that didn’t quite fit for me, stumbling blocks that proved one-size does not fit-all.
My exploration led me to coaching, where I discovered the power of personalised strategies. Coaching isn’t just about guidance; it’s about adapting to each person’s unique strengths and values. As I trained and became a coach myself, it became evident that the most effective way to assist others was not to offer solutions, but to help them uncover their true desires and find the best methods to navigate their specific challenges
What To Expect
A coaching session is a valuable opportunity to pause, reflect, and focus entirely on you and your needs. Whether you’re trying to get your bearings, figure out the next step, or gain clarity on what you truly want to pursue, coaching sessions provide the ideal space for you to explore and discover your path forward.
During our time together, you’ll find that my coaching sessions are relaxed, responsive, and empathetic, with the focus always led by you. I’m here to support you in creating meaningful change and moving confidently towards your goals, in a space where you feel heard and understood.
