> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.changeout.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Optional, but not for me - URL: https://www.changeout.org/optional-but-not-for-me/ - Published: 2026-08-28T09:01:36.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-28T09:01:36.000Z - Description: I passed the Henley coaching certificate last week and still couldn't quiet the niggly voice. On choosing rigour when nobody would have minded if I hadn't. - Author: Lucy Caldicott - Tags: blog Last week I heard that I've passed the Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching from Henley Business School. The options were pass or fail and I felt fairly confident but I couldn't avoid the niggly voice in my head. I'm planning to work towards accreditation with the International Coaching Federation which I can apply for once I've done 100 hours of coaching. I'm at around 50 right now. When I was setting out to be a coach, I talked to several people who've made the switch from charity sector leadership to executive coaching. One of them told me that prospective clients had never once asked about their training or accreditation. So, it could be that doing all of this is optional, but I feel strongly that continued training, supervision, mentorship, and learning, which the ICF accreditation would mean, is important. It's not just about credibility but one-to-one coaching is essentially working alongside someone at a very difficult moment in their lives. They put their trust in you to find their way out of the fog, make a hard decision, change something in their lives. It's not something to be taken lightly. Having access to training, frameworks, access to the experience of others in the same field, and an academic basis for what you're doing don't feel optional to me. To underline how important doing this well can be for someone, here's what one of my recent clients said: > *I received coaching from Lucy at a pivotal time in my career and personal life. I was feeling the effects of years in a senior management role where I had ended up feeling undervalued, lacking in any work/life balance and facing burn out. Lucy supported me to find clarity and direction when I was feeling a little lost. Through gentle challenge, support, and guidance she supported me to find a new purpose and vision for my future. She encouraged me to use my ideas and dreams to plan and boundary a coherent and achievable new career path drawing on the skills and knowledge that I have. She supported me to find my confidence again and I am very grateful for her compassionate, emotionally intelligent and honest coaching. Thank you Lucy.* It's an honour to do this work. If you've reached the point where you know something has to change but you can't quite untangle it for yourself, maybe 30 minutes or an hour chatting it through with me will help. Either reply to this email or click the big red button: [Coaching with Lucy](https://bit.ly/coachingwithlucywaitlist?ref=changeout.org) **Useful links** 🔗 Lots of people I speak to are stuck in difficult work situations and uncertain what to do next. I know that one-to-one coaching is not for everyone so I've created [*The Four Paths*](https://www.changeout.org/should-you-stay-or-should-you-go/), a free fifteen-minute stay or go reality check. **What am I reading? 📚** Our street's whatsapp group is starting up a book club. The first book is [The Correspondent by Virginia Evans](https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/464448/the-correspondent-by-evans-virginia/9781405971553?ref=changeout.org). Really enjoying it so far. **What am I listening to?👂** I grew up loving music like this and I'm so happy when I find people making it these days. I defy you not to be cheered! **Joy-giving things 😍** We're just back from visiting family in Northern Ireland. We went to the [National Trust's Crom Estate](https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/crom/home-of-springwatch-2026?ref=changeout.org) in County Fermanagh. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/57/d9/57d97f92-56a7-4c97-8c12-ac77d809cbf1/content/images/2026/08/IMG_6958.jpeg) BBC's Springwatch was filmed there earlier this year. We didn't see any red squirrels though, still hoping to see them in the wild one day. Wishing you all a good weekend Lucy --- *I've been writing regular blogs since 2020\. If you want to have a look at my back catalogue, they are all* [*here*](https://www.changeout.org/tag/blog/)*.* *If you're wondering whether coaching might help you think through where you are and where you're going next,* [*I'd love to hear from you*](https://bit.ly/coachingwithlucywaitlist?ref=changeout.org)*.* *You can also find me on* [*Instagram*](https://www.instagram.com/lucycaldicott?ref=changeout.org)*,* [*Threads*](https://www.threads.com/@lucycaldicott?ref=changeout.org)*, and* [*LinkedIn*](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucycaldicott/?ref=changeout.org)*.* *🎬🎬🎬* [*YouTube*](https://www.youtube.com/@LucyOnLife?ref=changeout.org) *🎬🎬🎬* If you like what you read and you'd like to show your appreciation in cash, you can do that [here](https://ko-fi.com/changeout?ref=changeout.org). I'd be very grateful!