Helping People Understand What Drives Them.

Meet Sarah Stones,
Motivation Specialist

With a background in HR, coaching and Motivational Maps®, I help people get unstuck, build energy and take practical steps that actually last.

I enjoy helping people get clear, get moving, and keep going.

Hi, I’m Sarah, a motivation specialist with a background in HR and recruitment (and a lifelong curiosity for what makes people tick).

Over the past decade, I’ve worked with over 1,000 individuals, teams and senior leaders across business, education and healthcare, guiding people through moments of doubt, change and decision-making.

From career crossroads to confidence dips, team tensions to complete disengagement, I’ve seen what happens when people don’t understand what drives them. And I’ve seen the difference it makes when they do.

When you understand what gives you energy – and what takes it away – everything gets easier: decisions feel clearer, work feels lighter, and you feel like yourself again. That’s the work I do. And I love it!

I’m known for thinking ‘outside of the box’ and my fun but practical approach.

My Values

My values aren’t just words on a page – they shape how I work, how I speak, and how I show up for every person I support.
They matter because people need to feel safe, seen and genuinely understood before real change can happen.

Boldness

I might challenge your thinking, but always with care Safe and supportive

Curiousity

I genuinely want to understand people and their drivers

Empathy

No judgement

Practicality

No "guru vibes", coaching that's practical and achievable

Fun

You'll enjoy the experience

When you know something isn’t right at work and you want clarity on what to do next.

I started my career in HR and recruitment, supporting people through every stage of working life, from first jobs to senior management. But I kept meeting brilliant people who felt drained, lost or stuck – and I recognised the feeling.

It wasn’t because they lacked skill or ambition, they just didn’t feel energised. That’s when I discovered the Motivational Maps® tool. Reading my own map results for the first time felt like switching alight on. It explained so much about why some roles felt draining, why some goals didn’t stick and what I actually needed to thrive.
It wasn’t long before I trained to use the tool professionally, and Plain Sailing Motivation was born.
Since then, I’ve supported hundreds of people to change direction, rebuild energy and feel more like themselves again, at work and in all aspects of their lives.

My Approach & How You Can Benefit

I create a safe, inclusive, supportive space where you can show up exactly as you are (no masks, no expectations, just safety, kindness and trust).

I’m not here to “transform” you or offer quick fixes. I create a safe, supportive space where we can work together to explore what’s going on and what needs to shift. I’ll ask you direct questions (always with care) and guide you to take practical, grounded steps forward in all aspects of your life..

People have described me as a bit of a pilot boat: I don’t steer the ship for you, but I can help guide you through choppy waters safely and with confidence.

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Ready to take action?

I know what it’s like to feel stuck – and what it takes to build momentum. I’ll help you understand what’s getting in the way, and how to move forward in a way that actually lasts. No quick fixes. No jargon. Just a practical, personal conversation grounded in what really motivates you.