Dimple Bhatti

I attribute my success to several things. First, my parents, especially my dad's unwavering belief in me. Second, my outlook that it was time to do something and figure out my purpose in this life so that I could do something of meaning. I also knew that my daughter was looking at me as she's about to graduate from grad school, and I wanted her to see that you can figure out yourself at any point. I felt this innate calling, I felt it was time. So I always tell people, trust the timing of your life. Something was just pulling me in this direction, this nagging feeling that yes, you have been right all along. Step in and take your life's experiences and use those experiences to help other people.

The best career advice I ever received was from my dad. I was very frustrated in my path and told him I was so educated but nothing felt like it fit. Nothing made me feel like this was for me, and I got to a point where I thought maybe you're just supposed to pick a job and stay with that, and looking for fulfillment is not a thing. He told me that when you find a job or a career path that is meant for you, that really taps into your purpose and is also something you are passionate about, you're going to become happy doing it and it's never going to feel like work. I recently told him I have never worked this hard in my life and I don't feel like I'm working at all. I have never been on for so many hours in a day, being pulled in so many directions, and at the same time, enjoying every second of it. It never feels like work.

The advice I give them is to make sure it's something you love. Make sure it's something you're truly passionate about, and it's not about the paycheck. It's not about monetary gain. All those things will come. Make sure this job takes heart. Make sure this is truly what you want to do and you can connect to others on that level. It's not overnight. You're going to find yourself being pulled up and down in different directions. Just know that it's going to be a lot of work, but if this is truly what you want to do, you're not going to feel that work.

I think the biggest challenge is getting people to trust you. It always takes a little while. I have so many clients that have come to me, and they all said the same thing on day one. I'm happy to report I still have them a year later. They told me they had been to different therapists and counselors and did not get what they were looking for. I explained to them my method is very different. I'm a therapeutic coach, so my method is more designed to help them help themselves. I'm not there just to listen and nod and write it down and tell them I'll see them next session. I am there to help them tap into the power that we all hold within so that they can bring themselves to the point they want to be, because that's the only way true change lasts. So getting them to trust you is one of the things. Building up your clientele and building up your name recognition are challenges too, but I don't think that is any different from any other career. But the biggest thing is getting them to trust you enough to stay with you and see the changes in their lives.

I think it's one and the same. I've always had a lot of empathy for others. Initially, I thought that was such a weakness. I can feel what other people were feeling and I would want to fix it for them. I always saw it as a weakness as I was getting older and living. But in my career, I turned that into why I have the clients I have. It is why my clients have stayed on with me long after their initial issue has been resolved, because I can empathize with what they're going through. I have used my past experiences to fuel my passion for helping others. My ability to feel what they feel and understand their perspective and where they're coming from has been the greatest asset in this career and in my personal life.