Dr. Lakshinie Gunasiri embodies the multifaceted essence of modern womanhood. Renowned as a paediatrician, devoted wife, nurturing mother, and visionary entrepreneur, her journey through life has woven her into a beacon of inspiration for women striving for equilibrium in a bustling world.
With a deep understanding of the intricate dance between professional commitments and personal responsibilities, Dr. Gunasiri empathetically navigates the challenges of maintaining balance amidst chaos. Her profound desire to lead a life marked by clarity, focus, and a success mindset has led her to embark on a mission to empower women to define their priorities and reclaim the elusive work-life balance.
As a seasoned life coach, Dr. Gunasiri is dedicated to helping women crystallise their goals and forge paths toward personal and professional fulfillment. At the helm of Prowess Coaching, she has created a sanctuary where women can unravel the layers of their identity, fostering a profound sense of self that serves as the guiding compass toward their aspirations.
To learn more, visit the Prowess Coaching website here.
Today, we sit down with Dr. Gunasiri to discuss her entrepreneurial journey and gain some valuable insights.
Q. What inspired you to pursue a career in paediatric medicine, and how did it influence your approach to coaching and empowering women?
Dr. Gunasiri: My pursuing of a career in paediatric medicine originated when I reflected on where I’m happiest. In the final year of medical school, I was planning my future career and had psychiatry and paediatrics as two options. I chose to work with children as I felt it gives me a more positive vibe and happiness. Children can cheer up anyone even when they are sick!
I had an interest in understanding how the mind worked, and at that time I thought it was best done by being a psychiatrist. But my heart dragged me towards working with children, so I decided to pursue that pathway. Coaching is how I learned about how the mind works, so I’m now better off having both aspects in my career.
I grew up in an educational environment, my parents were educators and they were really dedicated to their careers. I was fascinated by their attitude towards educating children and I always had this question on my mind: “How do children learn when they don’t have supportive parents who are inspiring like I had?” Working in the coaching industry is my way of contributing to nurturing children and helping them reach their potential via empowering their mothers/parents.
Q. How do you integrate principles of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and hypnosis into your coaching?
Dr. Gunasiri: I use certain techniques of NLP when I work with coaching clients directly, depending on their problem. NLP is something people use every day, even if they are unaware they are using it. Coaches use it deliberately as a tool when they apply those principles in certain situations to help their clients. As a coach, my use of language is greatly influenced by the NLP I know, so I get to use it anywhere anytime, now that I understand what it does. My clients have told me that they realise I use words differently than most do!
Q. What strategies do you recommend for women who feel overwhelmed by the demands of their careers and family life?
Dr. Gunasiri: There are a lot of strategies to use here. A good starting point would be getting clear on what they want from life. When you know where you are going it is easy to take the next steps. Having a vision board is a fun way of getting your head around what you really want. Journaling is also a nice way of recording your insights and progress. Of course, coaching can help people if they find it difficult to set goals for life. When you work with a coach you save a lot of time and you have support to figure things out.
Q. How do you ensure that your coaching sessions remain personalised and effective for each client?
Dr. Gunasiri: I do one-on- one coaching, and the person who decides what we work on is my client, unless I find it relevant to make suggestions and recommendations. As a coach, my goal is to help my clients achieve the things they’ve set out for themselves. Coaching is a collaborative process and every client is different. In every coaching session, there are quick mindset shifts, so that means the coaching needs to stay flexible. That’s how I can offer a personalised experience, by adapting to the client’s need on a session-by-session basis.
Q. Many people associate productivity with overwork. What practices do you encourage your clients to adopt to maintain their well-being?
Dr. Gunasiri: Productivity is not overwork, it is the opposite! The goal in achieving productivity is you do what you need to do within an ecological timeframe while still being healthy, emotionally and physically, and feeling happy and fulfilled. Otherwise, the process will be self-destructive! I encourage my clients to deep dive into their souls to find their purpose in life and find out what they like to achieve for themselves. Productivity starts with being comfortable with who you really are and allowing yourself to do what you deeply desire.
Q. Could you tell us what your latest projects are?
Dr. Gunasiri: Well, I have a live webinar series that has already started. I’m working with female doctors to create a productive and joyful life. If anyone is interested in them, following me on social media is the best way to get notifications and details on all upcoming webinars.
I’m also planning to launch a book in the next month or two, and my goal with that is to help people move forward with life when things don’t go as planned. I’ll be sharing my five principles for overcoming mental exhaustion in that book and I hope it will help people find balance.
Q. Could you share a transformative moment that embodies the impact of your work on women’s lives?
Dr. Gunasirie: Many of my clients have shared their transformative and a-ha moments with me. I have to keep them confidential unless clients give me permission to share them, but generally speaking, I’ve helped clients connect with their children, transition to new careers, embark on million-dollar businesses, and find joy in a different career path from what others created for them.
Q. How do you envision Prowess Coaching’s impact on empowering women in the future?
Dr. Gunasirie: I’m very excited about the future! My vision is for Prowess COaching to reach a global market with a product line of digital products that would help women live a life of focus and clarity of mind.
To keep up to date with Dr. Gunasiri and her life coaching services, visit the Prowess Coaching website or connect with her on LinkedIn or Facebook.
