DON'T think of an elephant in a tutu, life coach Ian Northcott told me.

Which meant that I, as I'm sure you all would, immediately thought of an elephant in a tutu. This unusual request was part of an exercise I took part in to help achieve my life goals.

One of my short-term goals is to learn to take better care of my money. I currently live in a vicious circle of getting paid, spending it and getting poor; my monthly pay packet lands on my desk but I have lived in such hardship for the previous two weeks that all I can think about is hitting the shops and exercising my 'flexible friend'. A week later I am living on baked beans.

However, when Ian asked me what I could do to improve the situation I told him the next time I got paid I simply, would not go out and immediately spend £100 on a pair of stiletto shoes or a handbag.

But, as the exercise demonstrated, when you are asked not to do something you inevitably end up doing it. The trick, Ian tells me, is to train yourself to set positive goals to allow yourself to achieve the same goal.

Ian, who works from his home in Sidemoor, is a life coach, stress management, communication and motivation consultant - a job title probably better explained by the man himself.

"I help people to achieve their goals and aims in life using the power of commitment," he said.

Ian set up his company, Transformation Strategies, in November 2001 with the aim of helping people achieve whatever they want in life.

"Most people have got it within themselves to achieve whatever they want to, it is my job to help them do so," he said.

Ian is a professional hypnotherapist and has worked in the field for nearly five years.

"I am still a hypnotherapist but do not feel the need to use formal hypnosis very often as I can help clients facilitate change without formally inducing trance."

Using the techniques he learnt from hypnotherapy, neuro-linguistic programming and stress management, Ian has helped people achieve goals including weight loss, increased confidence and overcoming phobias.

"If someone comes to me believing they have difficulty talking to people, we might do some exercises and then go and practise them in the pub or the supermarket.

"We get out and meet people, playing interesting games out in the real world," he added.

Avid viewers of the BBC2 programme Would Like to Meet may have seen this in action. The hit show takes a shy, fashion-phobic person struggling to find a date and transforms them into someone set for 21st century dating.

While Ian cannot offer a new wardrobe or a stylish haircut, he can help to boost your confidence. The 37-year old trained in both the UK and US and is passionate about his work. His confidence is infectious and after just an hour session I felt we made progress. I left feeling relaxed and happy.

For more information or to book a session contact Ian on 01527 577273 or log on to inorthcott@lineone.net